American Alchemy: Episode Summary – "Meet The Startup Summoning UFOs: Skywatcher"

Release Date: May 28, 2025

1. Introduction

In this compelling episode of American Alchemy, host Jesse Michels engages with James Fowler, a retired military sergeant major and the lead operations specialist at Skywatcher, a pioneering technology company dedicated to detecting and analyzing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). The discussion delves deep into the origins of Skywatcher, its innovative approaches to UAP detection, the challenges faced in the field, and the broader implications of their findings.

2. Guest Background

James Fowler brings over two decades of military expertise, having served 23 years in various government deployments before founding Skywatcher post-retirement in 2020. His transition from military operations to UAP research underscores a unique blend of disciplined investigation and innovative technological development.

3. Skywatcher’s Origin and Mission

Skywatcher was established out of a military observation—“Skywatcher truly is a technology company that was started because of UAPs,” James explains ([00:01]). The company initially aimed to enhance national defense by tracking advanced, unidentified aerial objects. Over time, Skywatcher's mission evolved to not only detect but also understand the underlying science and technology of these phenomena.

4. UAP Classes and Taxonomy

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Skywatcher’s nine-class taxonomy for UAPs, each exhibiting distinct characteristics:

• Class 1 – Tetra: Described as tetrahedron-shaped with variable flight patterns. “Each UAP class has different characteristics. Some shimmer, some tumble, some spin,” James elaborates ([03:33]).

• Class 2 – Tic Tac: Approximately 40 feet in length, these UAPs mimic the behavior of the well-documented "Tic Tac" sightings and show advanced stealth capabilities ([35:33]).

• Class 3 – Block: Exhibits vibration and oscillation patterns, defying known physics, leading to theories like holographic projections or plasmoids ([63:55]).

• Classes 4 to 9: Include entities like Orbs, Manta Rays, Bright Stars, Hornets, and Eggs, each with unique behaviors and physical attributes.

5. Detection Methods and Data Collection

Skywatcher employs a multifaceted detection system utilizing:

• Radar: Tracks the presence and movement of UAPs.

• Electro-Optical Sensors: Daylight cameras with enhanced bandwidth to capture more detail than the naked eye ([59:25]).

• Infrared Sensors: Medium and shortwave infrared technologies provide thermal imaging of UAPs.

James emphasizes the importance of cross-referencing data across these spectrums to build a comprehensive understanding of each phenomenon.

6. Government Interaction and Challenges

James discusses the intricate relationship between Skywatcher and government agencies. Despite initial secretive collaborations, “the government has refused” to engage directly with Skywatcher on UAP data ([18:42]). The lack of official support hampers efforts to conduct scientifically rigorous test events necessary for in-depth analysis.

“We have five years of data, terabytes of radar imagery, video photos, signals intelligence,” James notes ([17:28]), highlighting the vast yet underutilized resources due to bureaucratic constraints.

7. Specific UAP Incidents and Experiences

Several key incidents illustrate the complexities Skywatcher faces:

• Class 7 – Jellyfish: These UAPs emit electromagnetic interference, disrupting Skywatcher’s equipment. On one occasion ([57:08]), a helicopter was immobilized by a Class 7 UAP, leading to a tense encounter where James remarked, “We have never laid eyes on them… They evade us because they have a cloaking method from the air.”

• Class 2 – Tic Tac Attack: During a test event, attempting to intercept a Tic Tac using an energy weapon resulted in the UAP disabling Skywatcher’s systems ([83:21]).

• Class 8 – Hornet: Described as elusive and slow-moving, these UAPs present challenges in visual confirmation even when chased by helicopters ([101:02]).

8. Psionic Elements and Influence

Integrating unconventional methodologies, Skywatcher employs psionic assets—individuals with psychic abilities—to predict and influence UAP interactions. One notable instance includes Jordan, a psionic lead, who “predicted a conflict in the sky” that subsequently materialized with increased UAP aggression ([81:38]).

“We introduced more chaos into the event,” James explains ([70:58]), referring to the integration of helicopter activities and psionic influence to better understand UAP behaviors.

9. Future Goals and Expectations

Looking ahead, Skywatcher aims to:

• Demonstrate Findings Publicly: Within six months, the team hopes to conduct a public demonstration of their detection methods and possibly retrieve a UAP material ([102:22]).

• Expand Detection Networks: “We want to deploy the right sensors in the right mix,” James states ([115:37]), envisioning a nationwide network to monitor and analyze UAPs more effectively.

10. Philosophical and Ethical Considerations

The discussion branches into the philosophical implications of UAP phenomena:

• Nature of UAPs: Are they advanced human (e.g., Chinese or Russian) technologies, non-human intelligences (NHI), or something else entirely?

• Disclosure Framework: Skywatcher advocates for a data-driven approach, emphasizing scientific transparency over sensationalism. “Disclosure isn’t about aliens. It’s about the science being released and disclosed,” James asserts ([50:47]).

• Ethical Concerns: Incidents involving directed energy weapons raise questions about the appropriate response to UAP encounters and the potential escalation into hostile engagements.

11. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a mutual expression of hope and determination. Jesse acknowledges the frustrating uncertainties surrounding UAP research, while James reiterates Skywatcher’s commitment to scientific rigor and peaceful understanding of these enigmatic phenomena.

“We have a unique position to be open minded and observe and report, collect and understand,” James emphasizes ([29:25]), underscoring Skywatcher’s role as a trailblazer in the quest to demystify UAPs.

Notable Quotes

• James Fowler ([00:01]): “Skywatcher truly is a technology company that was started because of UAP.”

• Jesse Michels ([03:33]): “The taxonomy you guys had, nine classes of UFOs that you showed was really impressive.”

• James Fowler ([17:28]): “We have five years of data, terabytes of radar imagery, video photos, signals intelligence, RF.”

• James Fowler ([35:33]): “Class two is a Tic Tac. ... We have laser range finder returns on it and we have it in multiple spectrums of imagery, but we don't have any sigint from it.”

• James Fowler ([50:47]): “Disclosure isn’t about aliens. It’s about the science being released and disclosed.”

• James Fowler ([83:21]): “We have run events 24 hours a day. We've run events without the dog whistle, but the same technology and play and we don't get UAPs during those times.”

• James Fowler ([102:22]): “If all things go well before ... within the first half of 2025, we hope to do a demonstration and invite key members of the public from institutions and demonstrate this and maybe even get something to the ground.”

This episode offers an in-depth exploration of Skywatcher’s pioneering efforts in UAP detection, the intricate interplay between technology and unconventional methodologies, and the broader societal and philosophical questions that arise from their groundbreaking work. For listeners intrigued by the mysteries of the sky and the relentless pursuit of knowledge, this discussion provides both enlightenment and anticipation for future revelations.