Philip Kupczyk

The Statistical Drake Equation:

Abstract The creation of the Drake Equation by Frank Drake was viewed with skeptical criticism by fellow scientists because the numbers which he used for the variables in the formula were far too optimistic to be true. If they were true, we should have already established contact with extraterrestrial life a long time ago. But when we look out into the endless expanse above us, filled with vast resources and beautiful galaxies, stars, constellations and nebulae, we can see nothing that would suggest a space faring, communicative civilization. No evidence for them at all to ever exist. Of course, this brings into question the Fermi Paradox, formulated by Enrico Fermi. According to Frank Drake’s calculations, there should be at least 36 technologically advanced alien civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy capable of establishing contact with us. However, this number was calculated using incredibly optimistic numbers.