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A Visionary Project Aims for Alpha Centauri, a Star 4.37 Light-Years Away
New York Times ^ | 04/12/2016 | DENNIS OVERBYE

Posted on 04/12/2016 10:30:45 AM PDT by MarchonDC09122009

In an attempt to leapfrog the planets and vault into the interstellar age, a bevy of scientists and other luminaries from Silicon Valley and beyond, led by Yuri Milner, the Russian philanthropist and Internet entrepreneur, announced a plan on Tuesday to send a fleet of robots no bigger than iPhones to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system, 4.37 light-years away.

If it all worked out — a cosmically big “if” that would occur decades and perhaps $10 billion from now — a rocket would deliver a “mother ship” carrying a thousand or so small probes to space. Once in orbit, the probes would unfold thin sails and then, propelled by powerful laser beams from Earth, set off one by one like a flock of migrating butterflies across the universe.

(Excerpt) Read more at mobile.nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: acesat; aliens; alphacentauric; apod; astronomy; breakthroughstarshot; eso; gregorybenford; jamesbenford; nasa; philliplubin; projectstarshot; proximacentauri; proximacentaurib; science; search; space; yurimilner
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To: MarchonDC09122009

Yeah and what happens when we let a superior race know we are here for the taking, if you believe we are not alone?


41 posted on 04/12/2016 2:18:40 PM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: chrisser

“Also curious where they’re going to put the big laser. If on Earth, it’s going to be awfully hard to keep it pointed at Alpha Centauri as the Earth rotates once a day and orbits the sun. Seems it would need to be out in space somewhere relatively stable, and then where do you plug it in?”

And you’d have to promise that you won’t aim it at an Earth city, nope not me!


42 posted on 04/12/2016 3:52:03 PM PDT by DBrow
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To: Bogey78O; JimRed
"...It’s lonely in interstellar space..."

On such a timeless flight

And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...

43 posted on 04/12/2016 4:33:43 PM PDT by skimbell
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To: MarchonDC09122009

Too bad for all of them if they aren’t Christians. I believe that The LORD is going to populate the universe with humans and life seeded from the earth. He will have ways to do it. We are going to see the universe. Become a Christian if you are not already one and you will too.

Isaiah 51:16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.


44 posted on 04/12/2016 7:07:11 PM PDT by Bellflower (It's not that there isn't any evidence of God, it's that everything is evidence of God.)
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To: MarchonDC09122009

Its way too late to hide.

We have been broadcasting our position for over 100 years now to any who might listen.

I think when we create the first colony starship, we should tell them to change course a few times and never use RF to communicate at all, much less with Earth.

The only way to insure survival is to go full stealth.


45 posted on 04/13/2016 11:08:33 AM PDT by darth
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