I have an idea, since we cannot travel to other solar systems or galaxies because they are so far away WHAT IF

Question

Well, what if we put some robots in a spaceship and launch them into space and control them from earth while they travel through space for as long as they can and lets say a group of astronauts from this generation launched that space craft in 2008, then the space craft keeps traveling on & on pass Pluto & when new astronauts are hired, they take over controling the spaceship & the robots on board were the old astronauts left off after they retired & new astronauts keep doing this for generations to come until we reach another planet. It might take 50 to 100 generations but it would be worthwhile for our Great, GreatX100 grandchildren to finally see how long the space ship has traveled. WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK I KNOW IT MIGHT SOUND CRAZY!!!

Answer 1

My only problem with it is the further out the ship goes, the longer it would take for a signal from the astronauts on the ground to reach the ship. Transmission time would go from hours, to days, months, then years just to be received. Then to transmit new instructions, or corrections would take the same time back. by then it too late if there is a malfunction. Once the ship reaches the outer planes of our solar system, transmitting instructions would become impractical & inefficant. To solve that I recomend installing an onboard AI system. Kind of like what was on the Deep Space One probe. Of course it would have to be a bit more advanced, but AI would solve the communications lag problem.

Answer 2

Actually NASA considered this approach to space exploration a generation ago. I was privileged to attend a conference there in 1985, where the theme of the conference was manned exploration vs unmanned. Carl Sagan spoke, too.



We already have at least three robots which have left the planetary solar system: Pioneer and both Voyagers. And these were among our first attempts at robotic exploration and they were stunning successes. Since then we have landed robot rovers on Mars and landers on Titan, Venus, into the atmosphere of Jupiter, around Mercury, and probably some others I don't remember. It is the wave of the future, especially as we are rapidly improving our ability to make sophisticated robotic explorers.



I think, one day, someone will launch a vessel intended for interstellar travel and exploration. That will be another landmark, but as you correctly pointed out, none of us will be alive to see the results.



So no, it doesn't sound crazy at all. In fact, the only problem with it is that such missions will be very expensive and may not be high on people's list of priorities. I'd like to see one before I die. I don't care what country launches it. Who wants to be first?

Answer 3

The nearest solar system is ~4 light years away. To 'control' a spaceship that far away would mean you are receiving signals from 4 years ago and then guessing what would need to be done another 4 years from the present. Try driving down the highway blindfolded and guessing where the cars are from the traffic report 8 years ago.

Answer 4

Not a crazy idea. In the future, it's possible that partly hollowed-out asteroids will be used not only as settlements, but as spacecraft. An interstellar journey may take several generations (or not), but the customs and inhibitions of Earth would be left behind. There would be no meaningful contact.



And once the technology is developed, nobody will be able to stop the first people who decide to do it.

Answer 5

And what if the robots malfunction? All the money wasted huh. What we really need to do is discover ways to travel at the speed of light or near it. If we can do that then I guarantee you we will be at Pluto in 7 days according to my calculations. An object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. This means a Quad thrust system would allow us to return home after the journey. two in the front and two in the back. If you have any more ideas feel free to contact me.

Answer 6

Not crazy, at this point in space explorations infancy, we do not know what will work and what wont. Yours is as good as any idea I've seen. Perhaps one day we can develop the technology to transmit the commands that kind of distance and the power source to keep the craft active in empty space.

Answer 7

Well it sounds very possible but it would take convincing nasa and all the resources to get involved and then to try and fund such a feat would be the next problem, But hey this sounds like it could be very possible.. and in a sense its already going on with the voyager missions

Answer 8

well sound nice but what you are forgetting is that those things (other heavenly systems) are millions of light years away (means it takes light millions of years to reach our planet and nothing travel nearly as fast as the speed of light NOTHING) so even the 100th generation won't be able to see the this craft reach its destination more like 10000-50000th generation if it the craft doesn't run out energy first.

Answer 9

Sounds crazy, but anything is possible, correct? Send it to NASA lol maybe they'll change a little but might think about it

Answer 10

Thats a good idea but it takes too much time...





More than 50 LY>

Answer 11

1st of all

where will the us get that type of money

we dont' have the technology enough too

we wont get past the sun or asteroid belt

it ain't easy

satellites or even probes can't last even more than one generation without repair

IMPOSSIBLE

Answer 12

um the world is soon to be gone, but ey good i dea u should tell someone about it , and i mean like someone, but i guess itll cost too much money but ey, its not like there going to give the money to those who need it. and if it does reach anothere planet thats how a galactical war starts.

Answer 13

There isn't enough fuel to fire up the space ship for such a long time. So no, it's impossible.

Answer 14

they have already done that for your information,you did not come up for some thing new there...look it up..

Answer 15

i think going too close to the sun is too hot, I suggest going at night LOL