Tycho Project

The Tycho Project was a network of radio telescopes around the world, searching for friendly life in outer space. Amongst its targets was Rigel Beta Five. As of 2009, the Tycho project was still unsuccessful.

One of its telescopes, located in Goblin's Copse in England, was converted from a Cold War listening station. This station was at one point taken over by Commander Kaagh, a survivor of the Tenth Sontaran Battle Fleet which had attempted invasion of Earth. (SJA: The Last Sontaran)

Behind the Scenes
SETI, the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, is a real-world counterpart of the Tycho Project.