The Sunjammer Project

a reply to: Phage


In considering, such a spacecraft would need to slow down to a crawl so as to investigate its path once it came near, another solar system.


Implied of course is that we are discussing technology that is available, today.

Thoughts?

As it stands today there is no real reason we could not mount an interstellar mission using robotics and gaining information from such a venture in our own lifetimes.

a reply to: Kashai

Mini probes sound like the best option. Currently.
Cube sats but interstellar.

a reply to: Phage



Though some type of robotic mothership would seem to make sense.

Also sending people who in this case would be conscious throughout would also help.

Further.
en.wikipedia.org...


Can you imagine dedicating an entire lifetime towards such a goal potentially?


In considering, such a mission without human assistance could easily fail, as much as we might consider robotics equal to the task it probably is not.

a reply to: Kashai

Robotic exploration would proceed human. Any other approach would be imprudent in the extreme.

a reply to: Phage

Wherein exists a problem, in creating an artificial, intelligence capable of reacting to a problem, related to its survival and as humans do.

At the very least such a vessel would have to be able to react with instincts (so to speak) like an animal and without human intervention, given there were no passengers, on board.

a reply to: Kashai

The first wave will be simple. Spectrometers for the most part. Find a shiny thing next to the star and get close enough to see if there is air and what it is like (sort of).

Next wave will have rudimentary AI. Like Curiosity on Mars, but purely autonomous.

Then, maybe. People. Because people will be busy on Mars, and asteroids.

a reply to: Phage

Our initial probe.



Realistically if we are going to send a probe to our nearest star it should be at least the size of a battleship or larger.

a reply to: Kashai

With lots of guns.
Big ones.

a reply to: Phage


A point would be putting as much equipment as we possibly could into it.

a reply to: Kashai

Guns are equipment.

a reply to: Phage

Ok so maybe something the size of an aircraft carrier.

a reply to: Kashai

‘Oumuamua is as long as two.

But slow.

a reply to: Phage

IMHO it is a remnant shard from the breakup due to the direct collision between, in potential Earth-sized, rocky planets at the very least.

Ok so any robotic probe we decided to send to another solar system would probably be large enough to carry people.

Wherein exists the possibility of volunteers ready and willing to dedicate their lifetimes toward, such a goal.

a reply to: Kashai

That's a bit problematic in and of itself. Chances are, someone who meets the basic criterion (I don't know what I'll find and I don't care if I die) would have some characteristics which may prove problematic on an extended voyage.

It's a bit different that being the first man on the Moon but a bit more in line with the volunteers for the Mars reality TV show.

a reply to: Phage

There is also the possibility of something going wrong and with more than just interstellar travel but, also carrying about 20,000. 50+ megaton bombs, just in case.


Personally, I seriously, do not believe we are anywhere close to an AI that could realistically, be able to handle that.

All things considered, we could make such a trip to the nearest star in 10 years with current technology. Next would mean about 30 years of exploration, followed by, a ten-year trip back.

a reply to: Kashai

I don't think it will happen in this century.

Meanwhile, Mars and asteroids and stuff.

I want mineral rights on Mars, let's, face it that stuff that looks like sand, is probably iron oxide.



Our nearest stars also include one about 40 light years from here that is Sol like but in its case planets have not yet formed.

a reply to: Kashai
There is no shortage of iron oxide on this planet. And it's relatively easy to get.

The reason to colonize Mars is not to exploit its resources.

a reply to: Phage

Nonetheless, in reason, a motivation to colonize our solar system would entail such an effort.

What is really great about Mars and the Moon is, its system of caves and in potential, enough space to build a city in such places and seal any potential exit from atmospherics. How exactly would such a venture be possible without consideration, to exploiting planetary resources?