A Brief-ish History of METI. Part III: The Legacy of Frank Drake & Carl Sagan

Pioneers of Interstellar Communication

Carl Sagan and Frank Drake were instrumental in shaping the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI). Their visionary work laid the foundation for modern efforts to search for and communicate with potential civilizations beyond Earth.

Pioneer Plaques and Voyager Golden Records

The tangible legacy of their efforts is best exemplified by the Pioneer Plaques and the Voyager Golden Records. Carried aboard space probes traveling into interstellar space, these artifacts contain messages, images, and sounds designed to convey humanity's story to potential extraterrestrial discoverers.

The Enduring Impact on Astrobiology

The contributions of Drake and Sagan continue to inspire ongoing research in astrobiology and interstellar messaging. Their work redefined how humanity perceives its place in the cosmos and its potential for reaching across light-years.