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Whatever the thing is, it's clearly an interesting object and the only sane response is to build a big rocket to go chase it. But we don't have our shit togethe
by idlewords 6y ago
Whatever the thing is, it's clearly an interesting object and the only sane response is to build a big rocket to go chase it. But we don't have our shit together civilizationally and have to wait (and hope) that there's a next one.
This is one reason that I'm such a big fan of robot probes vs. human space flight. If your space program is about flinging tiny cameras into the remotest reaches of the solar system, it's easier to pursue the occasional alien asteroid on short notice than if you're all about getting a can of primates to the next planet over.
- Sosh101 6y agoIt was already moving away too quickly once discovered, even if we there had been some kind of craft ready.
- px43 6y agoPresumably it's no longer accelerating though, so it doesn't really matter how fast it's going. I guess the thing is still going to be in our solar system for another 15 years or so, so a solar sail or any number of other options exist to launch something towards it. https://i4is.org/what-we-do/technical/project-lyra/ https://i4is.org/what-we-do/technical/project-lyra/ https://www.wired.com/story/should-earthlings-chase-oumuamua-into-interstellar-space/ https://www.wired.com/story/should-earthlings-chase-oumuamua...
- idlewords 6y agoNo such thing as too quickly if you've got a motivated planet.