Re: Interstellar exploration - do we have the technology today?

On Mar 26, 3:24 pm, Too_Many_Tools <too_many_to...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Mar 21, 6:48 am, _ <jtayNOSPAM...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Let's say that for some reason (some version of) we decided to send a probe
to look around another reasonably close star.  We found an interesting
planet orbiting or a strong indication of intelligent life or a president
needed to get re-elected.

Something within 10 light-years.  

Do we today have the necessary technology to do this?  Can we send
something that far, accurately, and get it to stop when it gets there?  Can
we send something from which we would be able to detect the information it
sends back?  What would such a probe use for energy, guidance, telemetry?

Do we have the technology?..yes.

Do we have the will?...no.

Will that change?...I doubt it.

Am I disappointed?...Of course.

TMT

TMT

The will takes money.

If you haven't noticed, the United States is broke.

Perhaps the Chinese will do it in the future with Soviet and American
technology.

An example...Bush Sr. said let's go to Mars.

How many years later...we aren't there.

Bush Jr. says let's go to the Moon.

I will bet you all the foreclosed houses on my block that we will
never get there.

Didn't it just leak out last week that NASA wanted to shut down the
Martian Rovers?

Only because of the public outcry did they reverse their
decision...for now.

As I said the technology exists...the will does not.

TMT
.

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