Re: Interstellar exploration

Crown-Horned Snorkack wrote:
So, this matter came up regarding how to hide from space.

What are the capacities and strategies of the searchers?

Assuming that you have FTL travel, how are you going to gather
information about the immense number of planets potentially reachable?
There is a huge difference between using telescopes to observe a dim
dwarf star at millions of AU, and actually going there by FTL and
looking at planets at a few au or few millionths AU.

Assuming that you show up at a planetary system by FTL, cast a quick
glimpse around and then move on to examine the next star - what
sensors would you carry, and what would you look for?

You may be browsing for inhabitable but uninhabited planets to settle,
or alien civilizations to trade with, or fugitives to bring to
justice...


How about this...

Two or maybe three classes of exploration ships/parties

Alpha explorers visit the system for a quick evaluation. How
many planets, moons, asteroid belts, what types, anything special
or interesting. Would not land on any bodies with a biosphere
but might drop probes. Might sample smaller bodies. Might leave
a beacon in stellar orbit for later.

Beta explorers would be larger, have a wider range of scientists
and technicians (more specialized). Would only visit "interesting"
systems might usually mean ones with a life-bearing body. Would
be prepared for a longer stay or might be prepared to setup a small
base for a long stay (along with satellites in orbit for recon and
communications). Would definitely be prepared to deal with possible
bio-contamination problems (either direction) and quarantines.

Gamma expeditions would be for possible future colonys and might
represent the first such colonists (or some of the expedition members
might be such). Prepared for longer stay (bases, space station, small
intra-system craft, etc.).

Think of how long and how many people (and the range of knowledge) we
have to just get this far in understanding our world, solar system,
sun, etc. Any colony would be filling in blanks for a very long time.

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