Life Sciences in the Space Program 



• The Exobiology Program should intensify efforts to fulfill its scientific 

 objectives in space through participation in future missions and facilities. 



• The Life Sciences Division of OSSA should increase its support of efforts to 

 develop the advanced technology needed by the Exobiology Program to 

 build instruments and apparatus for use in space. 



Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence 



The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence is a research and development effort 

 with the goal of determining the distribution of technologically competent 

 civilizations in the galaxy. This goal is achieved by conducting a systematic search 

 for artificially generated radio signals in the microwave portion of the electro- 

 magnetic spectrum. 



Recent astronomical observations lend strong support to the astrophysical theory 

 that planetary systems are commonly produced as a consequence of star forma- 

 tion. Current theories of chemical evolution and the origin of life predict that life 

 will evolve on planets where the conditions are suitable. The development of 

 intelligent life on Earth is perceived as an outgrowth of recent planetary evolution. 

 Given the enormous number of stars, life may be very abundant in the galaxy. It 

 is possible that intelligent life with technological civilizations may also be wide- 

 spread. 



In 1959, Giuseppe Cocconi and Philip Morrison proposed that radio transmissions 

 in the neighborhood of the natural radio emanations of neutral hydrogen (1420 

 megahertz) might be a means by which civilizations could communicate over 

 interstellar distances. 



Following on the proposal by Cocconi and Morrison, the Life Sciences Division 

 has conceived, developed, and demonstrated the technological capability to the 

 point where it is ready to implement the most comprehensive search for extra- 

 terrestrial intelligence, the Microwave Observing Project (MOP) (6). Increasing 

 radiofrequency interference, however, may pose a problem in the future. 



The Microwave Observing Project has elements of strong public appeal, prospects 

 for broad international cooperation, and unique scientific contributions to make to 

 radioastronomy. The detection of extraterrestrial signals of intelligence would have 

 profound impact on humankind. 



Finding for SETI 



• The readiness of the technology, the problems posed by increasing radio- 

 Mvi|uency interference, and the strong public appeal of the SETI Program 

 indicate that the time is ripe for implementation ot the Microwave Observing 

 Project. 



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