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> Space colonization is best done by robotic ships. But why do it? If you send a robot to (say) Alpha Centauri what have you actually acheived, at probably eno
by zabzonk 5y ago
> Space colonization is best done by robotic ships.
But why do it? If you send a robot to (say) Alpha Centauri what have you actually acheived, at probably enormous cost?
- coenhyde 5y agoTo establish supply lines. If Alpha Centauri has something of value you could send out a self replicating robotic AI entity. It establishes its footing then start sending deliveries to Earth. If each one way trip takes 50 years, after say 120 years you could have a steady supply of resources.
- crygin 5y agoWe have no evidence that we will ever be able to build sufficiently adaptable systems to engage with unfamiliar environments without constant direct human intervention, which is not possible at light-year (or even light-second) ranges.
- goatlover 5y agoWould Alpha Centauri have resources we lack in our solar system? Mars, Venus, The asteroid belt, various moons and gas giants should be ample for anything we need.
- asdff 5y agoIt's also a hedge against issues with our sun.
- zabzonk 5y ago> self replicating A tech we don't have and probably never will.
- CamperBob2 5y ago"Because it was there."
- cpuguy83 5y agoMining for resources, either to send back or for future human landings.
- kevin_thibedeau 5y agoIt all depends on the goals behind leaving ones star system. If the goal is biological colonization, sending genetic material (or even better a gene database) across large spans of distance and time is far more practical than a generation ship or suspended animation. If the goal is to let your sentient machines explore then you don't even have to be burdened with recreating biological life.
- zabzonk 5y agoIf we depend on technology we don't have, why not wish for FTL travel and be done with it?