28 replies to this topic

[jss78]

MeiSooHaityu, on 22 February 2017 - 11:55 AM, said:

Unfortunately, we need to figure out that whole folding space time thing first.

Being worked on

Spoiler

Though I think more than likely the first interstellar trips will take place at high sublight speeds. If we can at a substantial fraction of light speed, I think it might just be enough.

Incidentally the latest Scientific American has an interesting piece about the latest proposal for an Alpha Centauri probe. Basically lots of microprobes (~1 gram weight) with small solar sails, accelerated with laser arrays.

[Zordicron]

Prosperity Park, on 22 February 2017 - 02:45 PM, said:

Ya'll know that we could communicate with just a 40 year lag time, right? That's less than the millions of years we need to physically get our butts over there.

Wait a sec, how long have we been broadcasting that one image into space? Wasn't it like 1974 or something? 1975? I mean, if they had the means to receive it there, they know we exist already.

Prepare yourselves for the immanent invasion forces.

or I dunno, wait 37 years for their response

[TLBFestus]

Actually all that proves is that they discovered the planets that the PGI developers live on.

[patataman]

Mystere, on 22 February 2017 - 02:54 PM, said:

Conquest, subjugation, and targeted genocide can shorten that activity ... or end it all.

That would work too...

Preferibly involving mechs...

[Magnus Santini]

Patataman, we will also need about 1 year for the spinning circle to locate the target map.

[Vellron2005]

Actually, OP, there are much closer alternatives to the newly discovered planets..

The closest planet is actually orbiting our closest neighboring star, Proxima Centauri, and is also in the Goldilocks zone..

At current technology, a mere 200 year trip I believe..

But the problem with all this space travel is all the support technologies we still need to invent.. things common in SF, but still not real.. things like Stasis pods, replicators, shields, and "spaceship to ground and back again shuttles".. Not to mention universal translators..

There's a good chance with all the planets zooming around that we will encounter intelligent alien life (or be allowed into the galactic community if you believe some alien conspiracy theories), and we need to be prepared for that.. not just in a diplomatic and offensive way, but also in a social and spiritual way..

I mean, we kill eachother now over "which is the true God", how do you think an orthodox Muslim, or orthodox Christian would react if we encounter some little gray guy with big black eyes, and he's like, "yeah, you guys are so young, we've been around for a billion years, and let me tell you, your idea of god is childish", not to mention that black or white supremacy will take a sudden turn for the gray..

We must first unite as a race.. only then will we be ready to spread among the stars..

[Metus regem]

Vellron2005, on 24 February 2017 - 03:23 AM, said:

Actually, OP, there are much closer alternatives to the newly discovered planets..

The closest planet is actually orbiting our closest neighboring star, Proxima Centauri, and is also in the Goldilocks zone..

At current technology, a mere 200 year trip I believe..

But the problem with all this space travel is all the support technologies we still need to invent.. things common in SF, but still not real.. things like Stasis pods, replicators, shields, and "spaceship to ground and back again shuttles".. Not to mention universal translators..

Shields, while useful, not total required, replicators again useful, but not required... hydroponics will do. Hydroponics has the twin advantages of providing supplementary oxygen as well as food... Stasis pods, again useful, but not required for a generational ship... no need for a universal translator, just drop large objects from space, that will get the message across fairly quickly.