Hawking, Zuckerberg, Yuri Milner announce plan to send micro robots to Alpha Centauri

[Kemaiku]

Risks are one thing, not having a workable system at all to begin with is beyond reckless.

Starting with a network in-system now we know we can precisely put something into Plutonian orbit would be a better immediate plan. It's the pushing something into the space outside the Sun's influence that's never been deliberately attempted yet, send something a certain distance to test signal clarity at 1-1.5 lightyears.

It's the massive jump to just sending it over 4 lightyears away that is not going to end well.

 

[Romo Lampkin]

If you do not take any risks, and only launch it when it is deemed "perfect" it will not get done.

I totally agree. Seriously, money isn't being spent rationally by states, they waste it on pointless wars for oil in the ME or bailing out insolvent banks under the system of crony capitalism. Putting a few billion to 'blue skies' space projects like this is putting money to better use than the trillions wasted on military spending and propping up 'too big to fail banks'. The F-35 for example is an unmitigated waste of money. We don't have the tech right now for interstellar flight but if we fund research then we may have that tech in the future. Hard sell but think of the benefits, better than how money is thrown about these days anyway.

 

[PurpleBuddha]

They mentioned the possibility of using the micro probes to first study objects within our solar system, such as Europa. If they are going to research it, then perhaps this would be a good early step and then push a bit further as Chemahkuu said above.

 

[Nebusj]

We don't have the tech right now for interstellar flight but if we fund research then we may have that tech in the future. Hard sell but think of the benefits, better than how money is thrown about these days anyway.

What are the unique benefits to sending an iPhone all the way to Alpha Centauri?

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

What are the unique benefits to sending an iPhone all the way to Alpha Centauri?

Maybe the Centaurians there might find it, pick it up and dial Earth? Or call Dominoes for Pizza

 

[Kemaiku]

What are the unique benefits to sending an iPhone all the way to Alpha Centauri?

Those aliens aren't going to learn the art of Selfies unless we damn well make them.

 

[mic of orion]

Made a video about it, plz watch it on the youtube. got loads of science videos there so check them all out, cheers.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Brolan]

After launching the recon probe couldn't you launch a repeater probe every few years after it? They would be built to pickup signals ahead of them and retransmit it backwards. Then you would be relaying the pictures and other data back to Earth.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

30 years to hit 4.5 light year distance. I'm not sure........

20% of light speed is ambitious

 

[Nebusj]

Those aliens aren't going to learn the art of Selfies unless we damn well make them.

``Wait! The southern continent had its eyes closed! Come back, take another!''

 

[publiusr]

IN the old days that was called "trial and error" we build stuff and see if it works, and if it doesn't we tweak it till it does.

Agreed.

More on the topic
http://nextbigfuture.com/2016/04/megawatt-beam-propulsion-by-2023-and.html

Notice that there is a synergy with all this.
SPSS, laser propulsion size--asteroid defense. The need of large surface area to collect power.
Each helps the other.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I'm still not sure about the physics of all this, 20% light speed, really?

 

[Gov Kodos]

I'm still not sure about the physics of all this, 20% light speed, really?

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Haha if only..........

Actually at that speed the stars would actually do something similar to that if viewed from inside the ship. Assuming you could survive the velocity

 

[publiusr]

The velocity doesn't harm you--it makes you live longer.

It's that little bit of grit that hyper-sandblasts your hull that gets you. If Orion made any sense--the pusher plate would face up front

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

The velocity doesn't harm you--it makes you live longer.

It's that little bit of grit that hyper-sandblasts your hull that gets you. If Orion made any sense--the pusher plate would face up front

Yeah they only figure that mistake out when the first micro meteorite wipes them out.

 

[intrinsical]

Trial and error:

1. Fires a probe off.
2. Wait 30 years.
3. Detect no signal.
4. Go back to step 1.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Step 2 should be "Wait 34.37 years" if it takes the probe 30 years to reach Alpha C and 4.37 years for any signal to return.

 

[Kemaiku]

Trial and error:

1. Fires a probe off.
2. Wait 30 years.
3. Detect no signal.
4. Go back to step 1.

Uh, there should be at least one more step in there along the lines of "Find out why, fix error, THEN try again."

Otherwise it's the definition of insanity.

 

[intrinsical]

Uh, there should be at least one more step in there along the lines of "Find out why, fix error, THEN try again."

Otherwise it's the definition of insanity.

I assume that 35 years of technological and scientific progress is sufficient time to realize whatever error the probe had.

Mind you, I still think its insanity.