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> The most reasonable explanation after you exclude something artificially forcing life to exist on Earth, or preventing it from existing anywhere else, is that

> The most reasonable explanation after you exclude something artificially forcing life to exist on Earth, or preventing it from existing anywhere else, is that we just need to explore the universe more, and grab samples from other planets in habitable zones. I suppose we would if we could. Distance presents a fairly big problem. With current technology just getting to the nearest known exoplanet would take about 10,000 years, one way. What more do you think “we” should do about this, so you can sleep at night?

nis0s 2y ago
I think the first problem is long-range communication capabilities. I am not in this field, but I think a network of optical communication nodes which span light years is needed. I imagine each node should be small, cheap to manufacture, and self-repairing in some form [1]. The second step is meeting energy requirements for deep space exploration, and I think the answer there is nuclear-powered deep space probes which can use the optical network to relay information back to Earth. But more importantly, there needs to be a self-contained autonomous system which can detect signs of life, ascertain next steps for making a determination, and ask for help when it doesn’t know the right next step, amongst other things [2]. Note that both of the things I am mentioning are half-done. [1] https://www.nasa.gov/general/spear-probe-an-ultra-lightweight-nuclear-electric-propulsion-probe-for-deep-space-exploration/ https://www.nasa.gov/general/spear-probe-an-ultra-lightweigh... [2] https://spacenews.com/space-force-taps-four-firms-for-laser-network-project/ https://spacenews.com/space-force-taps-four-firms-for-laser-... For me, the incentive for deep space exploration is answering the why question of human loneliness in the universe. But another incentive is deep space mining.
- gregjor 2y ago
  Given the time required for space travel compared to human lifespans this doesn’t get close to the threshold for something I would worry about. Even if we launched a probe to the nearest planet tomorrow neither I nor any of my descendants for hundreds of generations will know what it finds. I get the impression that you have mixed science fiction, wishful thinking, press releases, and outright grifting together. A species that can’t unite to stop destroying the one planet we know can sustain life seems ill-prepared to unite to explore the universe.
  - nis0s 2y ago
    > I get the impression that you have mixed science fiction, wishful thinking, press releases, and outright grifting together. Oh, don't get me wrong--I am aware of current capabilities, but you're right that I added in a wishlist of sorts. I think humanity is always going to be blowing itself up one way or another, but some of this work might unite people around a greater purpose (settling other planets), and/or be useful for job creation.
muzani 2y ago
We can buy more teslas to support space travel /s

nis0s 2y ago

I think the first problem is long-range communication capabilities. I am not in this field, but I think a network of optical communication nodes which span light years is needed. I imagine each node should be small, cheap to manufacture, and self-repairing in some form [1]. The second step is meeting energy requirements for deep space exploration, and I think the answer there is nuclear-powered deep space probes which can use the optical network to relay information back to Earth. But more importantly, there needs to be a self-contained autonomous system which can detect signs of life, ascertain next steps for making a determination, and ask for help when it doesn’t know the right next step, amongst other things [2]. Note that both of the things I am mentioning are half-done. [1] https://www.nasa.gov/general/spear-probe-an-ultra-lightweight-nuclear-electric-propulsion-probe-for-deep-space-exploration/ https://www.nasa.gov/general/spear-probe-an-ultra-lightweigh... [2] https://spacenews.com/space-force-taps-four-firms-for-laser-network-project/ https://spacenews.com/space-force-taps-four-firms-for-laser-... For me, the incentive for deep space exploration is answering the why question of human loneliness in the universe. But another incentive is deep space mining.

gregjor 2y ago
Given the time required for space travel compared to human lifespans this doesn’t get close to the threshold for something I would worry about. Even if we launched a probe to the nearest planet tomorrow neither I nor any of my descendants for hundreds of generations will know what it finds. I get the impression that you have mixed science fiction, wishful thinking, press releases, and outright grifting together. A species that can’t unite to stop destroying the one planet we know can sustain life seems ill-prepared to unite to explore the universe.
- nis0s 2y ago
  > I get the impression that you have mixed science fiction, wishful thinking, press releases, and outright grifting together. Oh, don't get me wrong--I am aware of current capabilities, but you're right that I added in a wishlist of sorts. I think humanity is always going to be blowing itself up one way or another, but some of this work might unite people around a greater purpose (settling other planets), and/or be useful for job creation.

muzani 2y ago

We can buy more teslas to support space travel /s