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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuHWvpo_4zs&t=56s
In 50 years time, on top of waiting 24 years to see anything.
Mars is closer. But still cool.
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This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars members over time.
(th)
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We have two topics with Starshot in the title...
Starshot appears to be the leading candidate technology to place a probe on an extra-Solar object such as Comet ATLAS.
From a conversation with Gemini 2025/07/08:
Thank you! Our conversation looks good when displayed in the forum software! I appreciate your suggestion of Starshot, because I would not have thought of that, and of all the choices we might consider, that one seems to me the most likely to bear fruit if pursued with the limited funding available for pure scientific curiosity.
You're very welcome! I'm glad the information was helpful for your forum.
I agree with your assessment regarding Breakthrough Starshot's potential. Here's why it stands out as a strong contender for "bearing fruit" among advanced propulsion concepts, especially with limited funding for pure scientific curiosity:
Philanthropic Funding and High-Profile Backing: Unlike many ambitious government-funded projects that are subject to political winds and budget cycles, Breakthrough Starshot was initiated with a significant private investment of $100 million from Yuri Milner, with support from luminaries like Stephen Hawking and Mark Zuckerberg. This initial capital allows for sustained, focused research and development without the immediate pressure of proving commercial viability or satisfying broad political mandates. This "pure scientific curiosity" driven funding is exactly what's needed for truly disruptive, long-shot ideas.
Focus on Fundamental Engineering Challenges: Starshot is not just a vague concept; it's a dedicated research and engineering program. They've explicitly identified the major technical hurdles (laser power, beam steering, sail material, miniaturization, communication) and are funding research to address them. This systematic approach, breaking down a grand vision into manageable, researchable components, increases the likelihood of tangible progress.
Scalability and Dual Use Potential: While the ultimate goal is interstellar travel, the underlying technologies (powerful lasers, ultra-light probes, advanced optics) have numerous applications within our solar system. Your idea of a lunar-based system for comet intercepts is a perfect example of such a "dual use" application. Proving out these technologies for nearer-term solar system missions can provide valuable data, demonstrate feasibility, and potentially attract further investment (public or private) before tackling the truly monumental interstellar leap. This phased approach makes the overall endeavor more robust.
Leveraging Exponential Technologies: Starshot's concept explicitly relies on the continued exponential growth of certain technologies, particularly in miniaturization (Moore's Law for electronics) and laser power/efficiency. By "riding the wave" of these broader technological advancements, the project benefits from ongoing progress in related fields, making its ambitious goals more plausible over time.
Open Collaboration and Transparency: The Breakthrough Initiatives have a stated commitment to transparency and open access, inviting experts globally to contribute to solving the challenges. This collaborative approach can accelerate progress by pooling diverse knowledge and encouraging innovation.
"Moonshot" Mentality with Practical Steps: The name "Starshot" itself evokes the "moonshot" ambition of the Apollo program. While the destination is far more distant, the methodology of breaking down the problem into solvable engineering challenges, and attracting top talent to work on them, gives it a strong chance of success in advancing the underlying science and engineering, even if the full interstellar mission takes generations to realize.
For these reasons, Starshot, or at least the research it's funding into beamed energy propulsion and nanocraft, does seem like one of the most promising avenues for achieving the kinds of extreme ΔV changes you're interested in for scientific exploration. It's a testament to the power of targeted, well-funded scientific curiosity.
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