In October 2025, an international group of scientists with participation from the SETI project will release an updated version of the declaration on how humanity should contact extraterrestrials.

  • Over the past fifteen years, scientists have mastered the search for so-called “technosignatures” – potential signs of extraterrestrial civilization activity (radio signals, thermal anomalies, or laser pulses). Additionally, the document is relevant given the widespread prevalence of fakes, including those about space. For instance, there was recently speculation about the unusual (possibly artificial) nature of an interstellar comet – however, press headlines transformed the news into something resembling a warning about an alien invasion.
  • This is partly why the updated version of the declaration emphasizes transparency and scientific integrity. According to the document’s provisions, reports about potential extraterrestrial signals should be accompanied by professional commentary and indicate the degree of uncertainty. Data verification should be as open as possible.
  • The document also mentions protecting scientists who research potential signals from space. A separate provision states that responses to extraterrestrials should only occur after international consultations involving the United Nations.
  • The updated version of the declaration could be adopted in 2026 after approval by the Board of Trustees of the International Academy of Astronautics.

In recent history, calls for procedures in case of registering signals from extraterrestrials were noted in a report by the Brookings Institution think tank. It was prepared for NASA in the 1960s. Then in 1989, the first “post-detection policy” declaration was published. It stated that after receiving an extraterrestrial signal, it should be confirmed, then scientists and the United Nations should be notified, and there should be restraint from making hasty statements and responses. In 1995, a provision about response messages was added to the document, and in 2010 it was adapted for the “digital” era.

SETI project

The SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) project is a collective term for scientific efforts to detect evidence of intelligent life beyond Earth, primarily by searching for artificial radio or optical signals. Initiated in 1960 with Frank Drake’s Project Ozma, the research has since expanded to include numerous projects, most famously utilizing radio telescopes to scan the cosmos for non-random patterns that could indicate a technological source.

United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. Headquartered in New York City, it replaced the League of Nations with the goal of preventing future conflicts and fostering dialogue on global issues like human rights and development.

International Academy of Astronautics

The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) is a non-governmental organization founded in Stockholm in 1960, with the goal of fostering international cooperation in the advancement of space science and technology. It brings together the world’s leading experts to address the challenges and opportunities in astronautics and promotes the peaceful use of outer space.

Brookings Institution

The Brookings Institution is a prominent American think tank founded in 1916, dedicated to conducting in-depth research and providing public policy recommendations. It was established in Washington, D.C., with the mission to strengthen American democracy and foster social welfare, economic prosperity, and international security. Today, it is widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential and authoritative public policy organizations.

NASA

NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and aerospace research. Established in 1958, it was created in response to the Soviet Union’s early space successes and has since been at the forefront of space exploration, achieving historic milestones like the Apollo moon landings and the operation of the Space Shuttle. Today, NASA continues its mission of scientific discovery, operating the International Space Station and developing new technologies for future exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

post-detection policy declaration

“Post-detection policy declaration” is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather a formal protocol or policy framework. It typically refers to established guidelines that organizations or governments would follow after detecting potential extraterrestrial intelligence or unexplained phenomena. These policies aim to provide structured procedures for verification, communication, and response to such a discovery.