Did you read on the website that Sagan was supposedly brought into Project Serpo and may have based his novel on his experience?
No, I missed that part. However, I do know that Sagan wrote the book for money (and because he had little to lose). He was already terminally ill and wanted to provide for his family.
I'm somewhat fascinated by the wacky stuff, not because I believe it, but because it acts as kind of a funhouse mirror that can -- though not always -- offer some insight to what people are thinking.