Date of Birth: May 28, 1930
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: September 2, 2022
Biography
Frank Donald Drake was an American astronomer and astrophysicist famous for his pioneering work in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Born in Chicago, Illinois, Drake developed an early interest in electronics and the stars. He pursued this passion academically, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Astronomy from Harvard University. Drake’s career took a pivotal turn when he organized Project Ozma in 1960, the first modern attempt to detect extraterrestrial communications. He is also renowned for formulating the Drake Equation, which estimates the number of active, communicative extraterrestrial civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy. Throughout his career, Drake held prestigious positions, including a long tenure at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and the SETI Institute, where he served as President. His contributions to science have earned him numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation and the Bruce Medal for outstanding lifetime contributions to astronomy.
5 Interesting Facts about Frank Drake
1. Frank Drake was a key figure in the creation of the Arecibo Message, an interstellar radio message carrying basic information about humanity sent into space in 1974.
2. He was one of the founding members of the SETI Institute, which was established in 1984.
3. Drake served as the Director of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) which operated the Arecibo Observatory.
4. He was a professor of astronomy at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
5. The Drake Equation, formulated in 1961, remains a cornerstone in the field of astrobiology.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Frank Drake
1. “At the time I first thought about the Drake Equation, there was no known evidence for the existence of planets beyond our solar system.”
2. “We may get to a point where the only way of saving the world will be for industrial civilization to collapse.”
3. “The search for extraterrestrial intelligence is one of the most exciting scientific efforts in history.”
4. “We are, after all, made of star stuff.”
5. “The question of whether we are alone in the universe is one of the most profound questions faced by humanity.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Frank Drake was estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Frank Drake had three children: Nadia, Steve, and Richard Drake. Nadia Drake is a well-known science journalist.
Relevant Links
1. [Frank Drake – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Drake
2. [SETI Institute](https://www.seti.org/frank-drake
3. [Drake Equation – SETI](https://www.seti.org/drake-equation-index
4. [Arecibo Message – NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/the-arecibo-message
