4 ms·

What is the plan for the only-few-gram weight space probe to transmit data back to earth?

• x5n1 10y ago
  Potentially quite a bit. Just imagine with the sort of stuff we're doing right now. In 100-200 years we might be able to send a fully functional AI there for that much which could potentially start building civilization from scratch there. Or maybe even enough DNA to clone a human. It's a good idea to do this ASAP, because sooner or later we're going to mess up this planet and probably the solar system. It's what we do best.
  • ceejayoz 10y ago
    That's not a plan, that's "and then magic happens!"
    • x5n1 10y ago
      When you do R&D, there is lots of stuff you learn that does eventually lead to magic. Lots of stuff that is happening now already happened 20 years ago, but the market and the technology are right for it now. Same with this. We have lots of stuff to learn, and even if this totally fails or is a partial success, it's a huge opportunity for the future of space exploration.
    • imron 10y ago
      Magic is just advanced science. I'm sitting here communicating with you, located on the complete other side of the world, using a device that fits in my hand and that also allows real-time video communication with almost anyone, almost anywhere on the planet. 200 years ago that would have been magic. I'm just sad I won't get to see what 'magic' is available 200 years from now. Maybe not any of the things the grandparent post mentioned, but barring some global calamity, whatever it is, it will be magical by today's standards.
      • ceejayoz 10y ago
        > Magic is just advanced science. OK, but @datadata asked what the plan is for a one gram near-future interstellar probe to communicate across four light years of space, and @x5n1 answered with "AI!".