Breakthrough Starshot: Challenges

[Doug Loss]

http://challenges.centauri-dreams.org/

This website covers various aspects of the Breakthrough Starshot initiative in a bit of detail, with intelligent comments from many people around the world.

The nanocraft concept, combining light beamer, lightsail and StarChip, is by far the most plausible system for launching a realistic mission to Alpha Centauri within a generation. The key elements of the proposed system design are based on technology either already available or likely to be attainable in the near future under reasonable assumptions.

No ‘dealbreakers’ have been identified by the team of expert scientists and engineers leading the program.

As with any ‘moonshot’, however, there are major engineering challenges to be overcome. It is hoped that addressing them will not only open a path to the stars, but will also spur innovation and new frontiers of exploration.

Below are listed the most significant challenges identified so far for a light-propelled nanocraft mission, along with the areas of research and development that could provide solutions to them.

[geronl]

http://challenges.centauri-dreams.org/

This website covers various aspects of the Breakthrough Starshot initiative in a bit of detail, with intelligent comments from many people around the world.

 

[Joe Wooten]

Does either one cover the political fact that whoever builds the high powered laser to send these probes to Alpha Centauri will have a very potent weapon to use against opponents on earth? We're talking multi megawatt lasers here that could easily be pointed at targets on the ground. Who could be trusted not to use it as a weapon?

[Doug Loss]

Does either one cover the political fact that whoever builds the high powered laser to send these probes to Alpha Centauri will have a very potent weapon to sue against opponents on earth? We're talking multi megawatt lasers here that could easily be pointed at targets on the ground. Who could be trusted not to use it as a weapon?

Me.  I could be trusted.  Give them all to me...

[Joe Wooten]

Me.  I could be trusted.  Give them all to me...

All Hail Doug 1, Emperor of Earth!

 

[geronl]

Me.  I could be trusted.  Give them all to me...

and thus, the Earth czar was born, and we have suffe.. I mean benefited for generations since...

[EC]

Niven would be pleased. 

[geronl]

I imagine that a decade after we launch the first one, we discover it's off course by a billion miles.

[r9etb]

I imagine that a decade after we launch the first one, we discover it's off course by a billion miles.

And when you figure that's an angular error of only 0.0023 degrees, you get a sense of the difficulties of precise targeting....

[geronl]

And when you figure that's an angular error of only 0.0023 degrees, you get a sense of the difficulties of precise targeting....

More trial and error.

[Doug Loss]

More trial and error.

A billion here, a billion there, eventually you're talking about a real error...

[Cripplecreek]

I imagine that a decade after we launch the first one, we discover it's off course by a billion miles.

That's what onboard AI is for.

Course corrections.

[Joe Wooten]

That's what onboard AI is for.

Course corrections.

Where's the thrusters and fuel supply? I thought these were to be minimalist light sail flyby probes.

[Doug Loss]

Where's the thrusters and fuel supply? I thought these were to be minimalist light sail flyby probes.

Gram-scale StarChip components | 4 photon thrusters