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You don't need FTL or anything exotic. On the scale of O(100 million) years, expansion at 0.001c is enough to colonize the galaxy. A general purpose von Neuman
by dcolkitt 6y ago
You don't need FTL or anything exotic. On the scale of O(100 million) years, expansion at 0.001c is enough to colonize the galaxy.
A general purpose von Neumann probe is not that far off. Self-replicating micro-machinery and reasonably intelligent robots already seem on the horizon. Unless there's truly some unforeseen roadblock, certainly within 1000 years of current growth. A 1 KG probe at 0.001c takes about 90 gigajoules of energy. On the order of what an Airbus A380 uses at cruising speed.
Given lots of patience, and an only slightly higher level of current technological development, interstellar colonization does not seem like an insurmountable challenge.
- bserge 6y agoYes, I'm talking about "within a lifetime" and with feedback/observable results. As it is, that kind of colonization would mean nothing to Earthers. 10-20 generations and it will most likely be all but forgotten. Zero impact on our solar system. Might as well be a story in a videogame. Perhaps it would be worth it if we worked on extending our lifespans first.
- imtringued 6y agoI hope you enjoy your 4367 year ride to Alpha centauri. How will you power the probe without fusion and why would anyone be there on earth to check the probe's reports?