The Listener Project Archive

Project Timeline

A chronological overview of The Listener Project from inception through termination, and subsequent related events.

1971

Project Listener approved under joint NASA/SETI oversight. Funding source: REDACTED. Objective: Active monitoring of deep space frequencies for structured signals.

1972

Construction of ECHO-1 facility begins. Location: REDACTED, Nevada. Initial team: 7 personnel.

1973

ECHO-1 becomes operational. First anomalous signals detected within 3 months. Classified as natural interference.

1974

Signal frequency increases. Internal memo notes "unusual patterns." Investigation requested. Request denied.

1975

Signals become regular. Always between 0200-0400 local time. Team adopts internal codename: "The Respondent."

1976

Dr. Karen Elmore, linguist, joins project. Within 4 months, she identifies linguistic structure in signals. First partial translation attempted.

1977, April

Transmission 77-031 received. Partial translation: "...we know where you are... stop..."

1977, August 15

Transmission 77-A received. 72.1 seconds. Full translation achieved: "We hear you. We have always heard you. Stop sending. They can hear you now."

1977, August 17

Project terminated. Reason: REDACTED. All personnel reassigned. All records classified.

1977, August 20

ECHO-1 facility decommissioned. Equipment dismantled within 72 hours.

1979

Dr. Elmore resigns from NASA. No public statement. No forwarding address.

1983

Robert Vance, former ECHO-1 technician, dies in single-car accident. Project materials found in vehicle.

1984

Evidence from Vance case reported missing from police storage. No investigation.

2003

Dr. Elmore reportedly seen in Buenos Aires. Unconfirmed. Last known sighting.

2019

Audio tapes and documents discovered inside radio equipment at California estate sale.

2024

Materials digitized. This archive established.