Frank Drake: The Father of SETI Research

A Childhood Shaped by Electronics and Astronomy

Born on May 28, 1930 in Chicago (Illinois), Frank Drake (1930-2022) developed an early passion for electronics and astronomy. By age 8, he had already built his first chemistry laboratory in the family basement. After studying physics at Cornell University, he earned his PhD in astronomy from Harvard in 1958, under the supervision of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (1900-1979), a pioneer in stellar astrophysics. His thesis focused on planetary atmospheres, then an emerging field.

The Drake Equation (1961) and Project Ozma

In 1960, Drake launched Project Ozma, the first systematic attempt to detect extraterrestrial radio signals. The following year, he formulated his famous equation:

• The Drake Equation: \(N = R_* \times f_p \times n_e \times f_l \times f_i \times f_c \times L\)
• First scientific estimate of the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy
• Foundation of the SETI program

This equation became a cornerstone of astrobiology and inspired generations of scientists. In 1961, he organized the first SETI conference at Green Bank (West Virginia), bringing together figures like Carl Sagan (1934-1996) and Jill Tarter (1944-).

Major Contributions to Radio Astronomy

Drake played a key role in several advancements:

• Discovery of pulsars in 1968 (with Jocelyn Bell Burnell)
• Mapping of habitable zones around stars
• Design of the Arecibo Message (1974), the first intentional radio signal sent into space

He also led the construction of the Arecibo radio telescope (Puerto Rico), then the world's largest, and served as its director from 1966 to 1981.

Scientific Legacy and Public Engagement

Throughout his career, Drake combined fundamental research with public outreach:

• Member of the NAS and IAU
• Advisor to NASA on the Voyager missions (golden records)
• Author of over 150 scientific publications and several popular science books

He passed away on September 2, 2022 in California, leaving behind a major legacy in the exploration of the universe and the search for extraterrestrial life.