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Carl Sagan Memorial Station

Carl Sagan Memorial Station plaque

Carl Sagan was a noted Human astronomer who lived on Earth during the latter half of the 20th century.

On the planet Mars, the Mars Historical Preservation Society put a dedication plaque featuring a quote from him at the site of a memorial to him, a "Mars Heritage Site". The quote read "Whatever the reason you're on Mars, I'm glad you're there, and I wish I was with you." (ENT: "Terra Prime")

In the early 25th century, the Sagan-class Federation starship was presumably named in his honor. (PIC: "The Star Gazer")

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Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was the driving force behind the metal plaque mounted on Pioneers 10 and 11, actually seen in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and VOY: "Future's End", conveying a coded message for potential extraterrestrial intelligences.

The scientist Sagan had also been a tireless science communicator and was the host and driving force behind the acclaimed 1980 science docu-series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. That series was served by visual effects company Magicam, Inc., the company that had previously provided the studio models for Star Trek: Phase II/Star Trek: The Motion Picture prior to the Cosmos assignment. Their work on Sagan's show had earned the company staffers an Emmy Award with an additional one for Star Trek alumnus Rick Sternbach as production illustrator. An updated and modernized remake – or sequel – , Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, was aired in 2014. Produced by former Star Trek showrunner Brannon Braga in conjuncture with Seth MacFarlane, it was hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson who was inspired by Sagan and his show to embark on his own scientific career, though these three men did not win their Emmy Award nominations. The start of the first episode of the remake had the letters "C" and "S" (the last one) of the title light up before the others as a subtle homage to Carl Sagan.

VOY Season 5 Story Editor Nick Sagan, who also wrote two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, is Carl Sagan's son.

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