Discussion
Eric Mc said:
The sail certainly could be used as a communications dish. Obviously, they would need a certain amount of electrical power to allow the transmissions to be received back on earth at the great distances involved.
Traditionally, outer Solar System probes such as the Voyagers, Cassini, New Horizons etc have used Radioactive Thermal Generators (RTGs) to do this but I doubt they'll be able to make a nano-RTG (although you never know). I reckon the power will come from the laser signal itself.
For the record, the RTGs on the two Voyagers have now been operating successfully for the best part of 40 years - so that would enable an RTG to power a probe that could reach Alpha Centauri in the time scale envisaged by this project.
Just seen on http://breakthroughinitiatives.org/Challenges/3 that they plan to use Plutonium or Americium "batteries".Traditionally, outer Solar System probes such as the Voyagers, Cassini, New Horizons etc have used Radioactive Thermal Generators (RTGs) to do this but I doubt they'll be able to make a nano-RTG (although you never know). I reckon the power will come from the laser signal itself.
For the record, the RTGs on the two Voyagers have now been operating successfully for the best part of 40 years - so that would enable an RTG to power a probe that could reach Alpha Centauri in the time scale envisaged by this project.
superlightr said:
FunkyNige said:
Separate spacecraft from what I understand, the one with the laser on stays here.
wont that push the earth a bit? alter our orbit slighly? atomic clocks will need resetting etcSimpo Two said:
They could give you some money for spelling lessons 
Wherever their money goes, it goes back to people.
Indeed spelling lessons are a good thing, let us know when you have perfected the art and never make a spelling, punctuation or grammatical mistake simpo two ( I suspect it would never happen) Wherever their money goes, it goes back to people.
But where do you think the money came from in the first place and they (venture capitalists) look to make more out of it than they put in to it so its naive to think its all altruistic
Edited by Toaster on Thursday 14th April 00:24
RobDickinson said:
Yu have to wonder dont you. Toaster seems to be a full on total troll.
Carefull Simpo Two will have you for the spelling mistake, and if it was Tax payers money being invested in the Science that wouldn't be a bad thing either which is what I was saying its not private money the money has been raised through business and that means we all contribute. This is either done by paying taxes or buy a company profiting from people buying stuff that money wasn't magically made buy wishful thinking. RobDickinson said:
1 You have a warped way of looking at this.
2 He makes money.
3 DO YOU MAKE MONEY?
4I bet you do. Or do you live off the state?
5)He doesnt have to contribute to this. He could just sit on his fortune and do nothing
6) What have you done to advance science? I bet f
k all.
1 probably2 He makes money.
3 DO YOU MAKE MONEY?
4I bet you do. Or do you live off the state?
5)He doesnt have to contribute to this. He could just sit on his fortune and do nothing
6) What have you done to advance science? I bet f
k all.2 oh lots by the look of it and set to make more
3 Capitals make you look like shouting, and yes I do
4 a) Yes and b) it wouldn't be fun
5) I suspect its not just a 0 return but I could be wrong
6) Oh indeed I have so no you are not correct in the f
k all assumption7) Edited to say its not wrong for Taxpayers money to go to the advancement of Science which is where I was actually trying to respond just because its 'private' venture capitalist money doesn't make it all good
Edited by Toaster on Thursday 14th April 01:04
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