Re: RE: starship-design: Infrastructure in space

[KellySt@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/26/00 7:49:46 AM, zkulpa@zmit1.ippt.gov.pl writes:

>> >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.

Such as?

>> 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...

Embryos don't run factories or set up colonies.  Nor can a small crew raise 
millions of successors.

>-- Zenon Kulpa
>

Kelly