Subject: Re: How smart are SETI@homers?
From: baskitcaise
Date: 30/04/2004, 21:16
Newsgroups: sci.astro.seti,alt.sci.seti,sci.space.policy

Andrew Nowicki wrote:> 

A reusable flyby probe is a more reliable SETI method. The
probe can explore extrasolar planets and tell us a lot about
evolution of extraterrestrial life. It flies at about 0.2% of
the speed of light and takes advantage of gravity assist.
It flies so close to a star that gravity deflects its
trajectory by a large angle and guides it towards next star
flyby.


While I can see where you are coming from I think there is one fly in your
ointment:-

How long would your probe take to get to the nearest star ( not ours ) and
how long would the findings take to get back here and then if no ET found
the time to get to next suitable system?

What would be the cost of dev and launch and monitoring of said probe?

Who would fund it?

Would you not be putting all your eggs in one basket ( target sun system ) ?

-- Mark Iligitimi Non Carborundum! Twixt hill and high water, N.Wales, UK onfxvgpnvfr-ng-tzk-qbg-pb-hx