Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan (1934-1996), American astronomer and science communicator, expressed lifelong interest in extraterrestrial life but was highly skeptical of UAP/UFO claims. He contributed to NASA's space missions, advising Apollo astronauts and Viking landers, and held security clearances for classified Air Force Project A119 (1958), a secret lunar nuclear test plan. Sagan co-developed Pioneer plaques and Voyager Golden Record as interstellar messages. He participated in 1969 and 1974 AAAS symposia debating UFOs, criticizing anecdotal evidence and demanding extraordinary proof, alongside skeptics like Donald Menzel against proponents J. Allen Hynek. Key works: 'The Demon-Haunted World' (1995) promoting scientific skepticism; co-founder CSICOP. No direct involvement in military UFO programs like Project Blue Book.