The First Interstellar Astronauts Will Not Be Human

Our ability to explore the cosmos by direct contact has been limited to a small number of lunar and interplanetary missions. However, the NASA Starlight program points a path forward to send small, relativistic spacecraft far outside our solar system via standoff directed-energy propulsion. These mi...

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Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors Lantin, Stephen, Mendell, Sophie, Akkad, Ghassan, Cohen, Alexander N, Apicella, Xander, McCoy, Emma, Beltran-Pardo, Eliana, Waltemathe, Michael, Srinivasan, Prasanna, Joshi, Pradeep M, Rothman, Joel H, Lubin, Philip
Format Paper Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 25.10.2021
Subjects
Astronauts
Human performance
Interstellar space
Microorganisms
Physics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors
Physics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Physics - Popular Physics
Space missions
Spacecraft
Stellar evolution
Voyager 1 spacecraft
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Summary:Our ability to explore the cosmos by direct contact has been limited to a small number of lunar and interplanetary missions. However, the NASA Starlight program points a path forward to send small, relativistic spacecraft far outside our solar system via standoff directed-energy propulsion. These miniaturized spacecraft are capable of robotic exploration but can also transport seeds and organisms, marking a profound change in our ability to both characterize and expand the reach of known life. Here we explore the biological and technological challenges of interstellar space biology, focusing on radiation-tolerant microorganisms capable of cryptobiosis. Additionally, we discuss planetary protection concerns and other ethical considerations of sending life to the stars.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.2110.13080