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Originally posted by UnknownSheep
Originally posted by HollowJacket
I know astronauts constantly have to exercise to keep their muscles from atrophying in the absence of gravity. The stress of living in a completely sterile environment in the black void of space has to be unbeleiveable. I dont think we're cut out for this one...send more robots first...edit on 29-10-2010 by HollowJacket because: too many emoticons
Sensible idea. We already have robots that have the upper body and torso of a human and comparable dexterity, if not speed, of the hand. Then you have the Boston Dynamics Big Dog robot that can keep it's balance and walk on almost any surface. Combine these two into one robot, give it the most sophisticated a.i. system you can. Send it into space with enough material to replicate itself a few times. Send it to the planet and see what happens.
If we could figure out a way to communicate as fast as photons seem to, we could operate the robot in real time and thus have a very good robot with Human intelligence.
Like some feedback on the idea of sending sperm and eggs that get fertilised once the ship has arrived and the domes are built. Is this in humane? Have they been recruited without their blessing? Is this morally wrong?
The robots become their teachers; they get to learn of us and our hopes for them that they can continue if we perish.
Originally posted by UnknownSheep
1 million from Darpa? 100k from Nasa? What kind of engine is it, rubber bands and plastic sticks?
While I accept the fact that there may be a plan for a 100 year star ship, it seems to me that 1,100,000 dollars would not be nearly enough to develop the engine. And as far as not coming back from mars, it would be completely possible using the tech that we have now to go to mars and come back for people. If there was a station there, or a colony, you could stay several years and still come back. I don't think the problem with settling mars is the propulsion system of the rocket. I would say that the problem would lie providing enough space in the ship for the astronauts to live comfortably for the six month trip.
As far as colonizing other planets that are not in our solar system, then yes, you would need a star ship like the one proposed. Personally I think the answer lies in nano technology and understanding how to manipulate the self assembling process of matter. Let me cross my front legs, chew on some clover and meditate on it and I'll get baaaa-ck to you.
Originally posted by Stryker Ops
In reality I don't think that the idea is far fetched at all. There are several things that trouble me however.
1. $1,100,000.00 isn't nearly enough to build a generational ship unless there are many other backers and countries contributing to the project. This ship would have to be generational in which multiple couples would generate offspring and they would carry on the purpose of the mission.
2. Where would they be sending this ship that would be so far that it wouldn't come back? Possibly intergalactic?
3. Who would be going on these ships? I'm sorry but if they plan to colonize anything with just scientists and politics then it will fail miserably. Who is going to do the dirty work?
Originally posted by anon72
reply to post by sremmos
UNLESS- TPTB know something we don't. A reason so terrible/horrible that there isn't time to test and experiment. Like time is running out.
I am sure there is a movie about this type of thing. Anyway, they have to move fast-real fast and therefore all common practices and safety concerns go out the window
Worden's admission offered few details beyond a possible 2030 launch date, but its coincidence with a new paper published in the Journal of Cosmology suggests how such a mission might look.
A million dollars plus some change does not make a viable program for the investigation of trans-fats, let alone space colonization via generation ships.
This is interesting, but if the budget is a million +, it isn't going anywhere interesting (outside of theoretical sciences) anytime soon.
So far, the mission amounts to US$1.1 million in seed capital that NASA's Ames Research Centre and the Pentagon's Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency hope to turn into the $11 billion the mission could cost.
We hope to inveigle some billionaires to form a Hundred Year Starship fund. The human space programme is now really aimed at settling other worlds.
Originally posted by anon72
The Psychology of Leaving Earth Behind Forever
edit on 10/29/2010 by anon72 because: added additonal story info
Originally posted by xiphias
I get this feeling that humanity won't be allowed to colonize other planets until we get our act together. You can call it a hunch.