It was fascinating to hear divergent perspectives on the future of human exploration in space. In week 11, Lord Martin Rees argued that robot exploration is likely to become the primary mode of space exploration, citing the difficulties associated with maintaining human life in space. In contrast, Jill Tarter expressed her belief that a select group of intrepid humans (including herself) would still venture out into space, albeit with a significant reliance on robotic technology.
I was particularly intrigued by SETI's methods for detecting signals of intelligent life. Given the limited number of instruments and resources available to scan the vast expanse of the galaxy, I am curious to know what strategies SETI employs to maximize the likelihood of detecting an extraterrestrial signal.