A Sign in Space part 2, a new simulated First Contact scenario engaging the global scientific SETI network, and integrating deep space technologies into SETI search
Abstract
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence programme aims to find evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence. SETI scientists pursue this objective by searching for technosignatures primarily in the radio or optical spectrum. The IAA SETI Committee has been developing protocols to offer guidelines in case of an actual extraterrestrial signal reception. These protocols establish procedures to confirm the authenticity of the signal and its actual extraterrestrial nature, as well as the committee's role in managing the discovery in relation to the scientific community and the general public, targeting scientific queries in relation to the management and development of equipment and methodologies employed in current SETI search. The project A Sign in Space part 2 aims to actively engage the global SETI community and the global telescope network, with scientific facilities responding and coordinating themselves to confirm the extraterrestrial nature of the received signal. The project develops some of the societal, scientific and technological methodologies already employed in the interdisciplinary work A Sign in Space. Here, we established a global collaboration between SETI scientists, radio observatories and the European Space Agency to test the communication and technological pipeline and protocols leading to the reception of a simulated extraterrestrial signal by a network of radio telescopes across the globe. We also employed an ESA spacecraft for system validation. A Sign in Space part 2 aims to further implement deep space technologies in SETI search through a structured and sustained programme, in collaboration with ESA, the SETI Institute and the Italian Institute for Astrophysics. The project will aim to stage and test the entire Post Detection procedure, implementing the protocol as envisioned by the IAA SETI committee.
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BibTeX
@misc{paulis2026sign,
title = {{A Sign in Space part 2, a new simulated First Contact scenario engaging the global scientific SETI network, and integrating deep space technologies into SETI search}},
author = {Daniela de Paulis and Andrea Melis and Daniel Estevez},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2610.10587},
eprint = {2610.10587},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.10587},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - A Sign in Space part 2, a new simulated First Contact scenario engaging the global scientific SETI network, and integrating deep space technologies into SETI search
AU - Daniela de Paulis
AU - Andrea Melis
AU - Daniel Estevez
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2610.10587
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.10587
AB - The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence programme aims to find evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence. SETI scientists pursue this objective by searching for technosignatures primarily in the radio or optical spectrum. The IAA SETI Committee has been developing protocols to offer guidelines in case of an actual extraterrestrial signal reception. These protocols establish procedures to confirm the authenticity of the signal and its actual extraterrestrial nature, as well as the committee's role in managing the discovery in relation to the scientific community and the general public, targeting scientific queries in relation to the management and development of equipment and methodologies employed in current SETI search. The project A Sign in Space part 2 aims to actively engage the global SETI community and the global telescope network, with scientific facilities responding and coordinating themselves to confirm the extraterrestrial nature of the received signal. The project develops some of the societal, scientific and technological methodologies already employed in the interdisciplinary work A Sign in Space. Here, we established a global collaboration between SETI scientists, radio observatories and the European Space Agency to test the communication and technological pipeline and protocols leading to the reception of a simulated extraterrestrial signal by a network of radio telescopes across the globe. We also employed an ESA spacecraft for system validation. A Sign in Space part 2 aims to further implement deep space technologies in SETI search through a structured and sustained programme, in collaboration with ESA, the SETI Institute and the Italian Institute for Astrophysics. The project will aim to stage and test the entire Post Detection procedure, implementing the protocol as envisioned by the IAA SETI committee.
ER -