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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!umcp-cs!gymble!lll-crg!dual!mordor!@S1-A.ARPA,@MIT-MC:jim@TYCHO.ARPA
From: @S1-A.ARPA,@MIT-MC:jim@TYCHO.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Money to burn
Message-ID: <1925@mordor.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-May-85 20:16:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: mordor.1925
Posted: Wed May 22 20:16:45 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 24-May-85 22:44:13 EDT
Sender: daemon@mordor.UUCP
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From: jim@TYCHO.ARPA    (James B. Houser)


Assume for a moment that we were not in bugetary hard times and could
afford an attack of conspicuous consumption. Could a reasonable interstellar
one-way unmanned probe mission be designed which would give some legitimate
science data in addition to the usual ego stuff. Because of the constraints
it will be important keep things simple. The parameters?

	1. Assume only near term technology and assets. For example, no
space station. You are allowed two shuttle payloads if necessary - doing
it in one gets bonus points.

	2. Must be ready to launch within 5 years.

	3. Assume a target star 20 light years away.

	4. Intial data must be received from target star system within 100
years. An interesting question is what collection strategy to use. You could
adopt a cometary orbit or try to look for planetary body etc. Minimum
requirement is a fly-through at less then .05C mean. Remember that your
communications lines have a 40 year turnaround. May be allowed a 10%
extension on time limit given a high grade justification.

	5. Maximum cost will be 1 billion in current dollars. It may be
competing in Congress with a submarine base in Arizona so the cheaper
the better.

	6. Worship the KISS principle. This thing has to go a long way on
it own.

	Occurred that this would be an interesting thought experiment.
You can assume the target is in whatever direction you like if it will help.
Prime issue may be the choice of propulsion scheme. Another question is
what instruments to carry, preferably few and simple. Any thoughts????

PS "It can't be done" is not an acceptable answer!!!

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