Re: RE: starship-design: Infrastructure in space

[Zenon Kulpa <zkulpa@zmit1.ippt.gov.pl>]

> From owner-starship-design@lists.uoregon.edu Wed Apr 26 07:44:05 2000
> From: KellySt@aol.com
> 
> In a message dated 4/25/00 10:14:10 AM, zkulpa@zmit1.ippt.gov.pl writes:
> 
> >> Even after, we never could figure out a reason to go often or 
> >> settle in the stars.
> >> 
> >You bet? Think what would happen if astrophysicists find out that 
> >the Sun is going to blow in a hundred or so years...
> >
> >Generally, a civilization that is confined to one planet is doomed, 
> >sooner or later. That which settles all the planetary system is doomed
> >too, though in a much larger time frame. But such one will be rather
> >used to plan in longer time frames too...
> >
> >-- Zenon
> 
> We're around a middle aged star. Its got another 4-5 billion 
> years in it. I can't see that being a major driver. 
>
The explosion of the Sun was only an off-the-shelf example -
there are other threats within much smaller time frame.
 
> Not to mention unless we develop star ships that could carry 
> millions of people we couldn't set up viable self 
> sufficent colonies on other stars.
> 
First, I think that with appropriate technology they may _start_ 
from far smaller population. Second, millions, if need be, 
can be carried in test tubes...

-- Zenon Kulpa