5 Area 51 Facts That Began As Conspiracy Theories

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Area 51 Facts
Credit: X51 / WikiCommons

When it comes to Area 51 facts, we know very little:

  1. We know it is a real (albeit secret) base.
  2. That it is in Lincoln County, Nevada.
  3. And finally, that it’s one of the most secure places on the planet.

What we don’t know is whether the weird and wonderful stories surrounding it are true. However, in our opinion, these are the most interesting Area 51 facts that’ll give you pause for thought.

The fake moon landing theory

One of the bigger conspiracy theories attached to Area 51 is that the moon landing was faked at the base. And so many people, including experts, point to anomalies in shadows, flag position, radiation, and technology of that era.

However, what we find most eye-opening is that some conspiracy theorists believe legendary American filmmaker Stanely Kubrick helped create the hoax. This conspiracy was so hot at one point his daughter, Vivian Kubrick had to rubbish the claims:

Despite all of this, the conspiracy theory that became a fact was that Russia was winning the space race up until the moon landing. And this information was only discovered because of all the digging into Area 51.

CHECK OUT: Top 5 Space Conspiracy Theories – From Planet 9 To Mars Moving Closer.

Area 51’s not-so-secret private airline

Area 51 was established in 1955 for military work. It was seen as an ideal spot for testing new aircraft and training pilots. Over time, a radar test facility was added in 1959 and countless hangers have been built.

Yet, the most amazing fact is that in 1972, Area 51 got it’s very own private flight path from Las Vegas. This airline is called “Janet”, an apparently classified U.S. Airforce fleet used to move scientists to secret bases.

Since 1972 the Janet Airlines fleet has grown from a single Douglas DC-6 to six Boeing 767-600s (that’s a lot of scientists and bases). This airline was once a conspiracy myth.

Obama was the first president to say “Area 51” publicly

Area 51 might be the most famous secret base in the United States. Yet, up until Barack Obama, no United States President had ever uttered the words “Area 51” in public.

Sadly for conspiracy theorists, President Obama said “Area 51” only as a joke, at the annual Kennedy Center Honors Ceremony in 2013. Yet, considering social media, it’s a surprise no government or military officials had to follow up the former President’s joke with justification, explanation, or anything else.

Regardless, this joke was the ultimate confirmation of the base by the Commander and Chief.

CHECK OUT: 5 Ways Artificial Intelligence Could Help In Space Exploration.

Area 51 is meant to be top secret

The most common theory attached to Area 51 is that it is a testing spot for reversed alien technology. However, one fact that continues to be overlooked is that Area 51 is meant to be a secret base!

The irony is that we all know where it is, and that it is a testing facility for new aircraft technology. So, surely this could be why so many strange and unusual sights are seen over the base.

If considered rationally, new high-tech planes or unmanned drones could look like UFOs and we’d be none the wiser. Yet, Area 51 was once a conspiracy theory and now it is common knowledge.

CHECK OUT: The 5 Strangest Days In Human History.

Robert Lazar and Area 51

Before the interview of Robert or Bob Lazar in 1989, the mainstream was unaware of Area 51. This interview shined a light on the base and away from the same old Roswell stories.

Lazar claimed that he used to work at Area 51. He told the host that Area 51 is a place where extraterrestrial technology is studied and that it contained recovered alien space crafts.

What makes this conspiracy theory become intriguing is that in 1989 Bob Lazar spoke about a material called Element 115 which did not exist then. It has since been added to the periodic table (amongst other technology Lazar spoke about like hand-scanners).