Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has cancelled his highly anticipated dearMoon mission, which aimed to be the first private flight around the moon. The decision came due to delays and uncertainty surrounding the development of Starship, making the original 2023 launch timeline unfeasible. Maezawa apologized to his supporters and the selected crew, including notable celebrities, for the cancellation.

New Space Blog You have been tasked with designing a spacecraft that will be sent on a mission that never returns to Earth. The goal is to travel as long as possible with it only being piloted by an AI that will be fully in control of the craft and the science observations it conducts. You can assemble the spacecraft using as many SpaceX Starship vehicles as you need. You want to maximize the lifespan and build as much ability to repair and replicate into it as possible. You will need a robust multi-generational server system with multiple redundancies and humanoid-type robots that can conduct repairs. Explain your design and the rationale for your choices.

Claude 3
To design a spacecraft for a mission that never returns to Earth, with the goal of maximizing its lifespan and self-sustaining capabilities, I propose the following design using SpaceX Starship vehicles:

1. Primary spacecraft:

   • Utilize three modified SpaceX Starship vehicles, connected in a triangular formation.
   • Each Starship will be modified to remove the heat shield and landing legs, as they are not required for this mission.
   • The primary spacecraft will house the AI control system, scientific instruments, and the majority of the power generation and storage systems.

2. Power generation and storage:

   • Install a combination of advanced solar panels and radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) to ensure a long-lasting and reliable power supply.
   • Solar panels will be the primary power source and will be mounted on the exterior of the Starships.
   • Equip each Starship with multiple high-capacity batteries for power storage and distribution.

3. Propulsion:

   • Use a combination of ion thrusters and modified Raptor engines for propulsion.
   • Ion thrusters will provide efficient, long-duration propulsion for interplanetary travel.
   • Raptor engines will be used for high-thrust maneuvers and course corrections.

4. AI control system:

   • Develop a robust, multi-layer AI system capable of controlling all aspects of the spacecraft, including navigation, power management, and scientific observations.
   • Implement multiple redundancies and self-repair mechanisms to ensure the AI system’s longevity.
   • House the AI system in a radiation-hardened, fault-tolerant server cluster distributed across the three Starships.

5. Repair and replication:

   • Include a dedicated Starship for housing advanced 3D printers, robotic assembly systems, and a stock of raw materials.
   • This Starship will serve as a mobile factory, capable of manufacturing replacement parts and even new robots as needed.
   • Equip the spacecraft with a team of versatile humanoid robots that can perform repairs, maintenance, and assembly tasks.

6. Scientific instruments:

   • Install a wide array of scientific instruments, including telescopes, spectrometers, and sensors, to conduct observations and gather data throughout the mission.
   • Distribute these instruments across the three primary Starships to maximize coverage and redundancy.

7. Communication:

   • Equip the spacecraft with a high-gain antenna and advanced communication systems to maintain contact with Earth for as long as possible.
   • Use laser communication technology for high-bandwidth data transmission over vast distances.

8. Thermal management:

   • Implement a robust thermal management system to protect the spacecraft’s components from extreme temperatures.
   • Use a combination of radiators, heat pipes, and active cooling systems to maintain optimal operating temperatures.

The rationale behind this design is to create a self-sustaining, resilient spacecraft capable of operating independently for an extended period. By using multiple Starships, we ensure redundancy and distribute critical systems across the spacecraft. The inclusion of advanced power generation, 3D printing, and robotic repair capabilities allows the spacecraft to maintain itself and adapt to potential challenges. The AI control system, with its multiple redundancies and self-repair mechanisms, ensures the mission’s continuity even in the face of unforeseen events.

This design prioritizes longevity, adaptability, and self-sufficiency, maximizing the spacecraft’s chances of success on its indefinite journey through the cosmos.

Me
How long do you think such a spacecraft could last? Where would you go and what would you do?

Claude 3
The longevity of the spacecraft would depend on several factors, such as the reliability of its components, the effectiveness of its self-repair systems, and the challenges it encounters during its journey. However, with the proposed design and advanced technologies, it is conceivable that the spacecraft could operate for several centuries or even millennia.

As for the destination and mission objectives, there are numerous possibilities to consider:

1. Interstellar exploration:

   • Set a course for the nearest star system, such as Alpha Centauri, located approximately 4.37 light-years from Earth.
   • Conduct detailed observations and studies of the star system, its planets, and any potential signs of life.

2. Galactic survey:

   • Embark on a long-term mission to survey and map a significant portion of the Milky Way galaxy.
   • Collect data on stellar populations, interstellar medium, and galactic structure to advance our understanding of the galaxy’s composition and evolution.

3. Exoplanet characterization:

   • Focus on studying Earth-like exoplanets in the habitable zones of their host stars.
   • Conduct in-depth analyses of these planets' atmospheres, surface conditions, and potential for harboring life.

4. Interstellar medium and dark matter research:

   • Investigate the properties and composition of the interstellar medium, including dust, gas, and cosmic rays.
   • Attempt to detect and study dark matter particles, which could provide insights into the universe’s structure and evolution.

5. Long-term astronomical observations:

   • Conduct extended observations of various astronomical phenomena, such as supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and gravitational wave events.
   • Monitor these events over centuries or millennia to gain new insights into their nature and the underlying physics.

Throughout its mission, the spacecraft would continuously gather and process data using its onboard scientific instruments. The AI control system would analyze this data, make decisions on further investigations, and adapt the mission objectives as needed. The spacecraft could also serve as a platform for testing advanced propulsion technologies, such as fusion or antimatter engines, which could be developed and implemented during its journey.

As the spacecraft ventures deeper into space, it would continue to transmit its findings back to Earth, contributing to the expansion of human knowledge and understanding of the universe. The mission would serve as a testament to human ingenuity and the pursuit of exploration, even if the spacecraft itself never returns to its point of origin.

Falcon Heavy is set to place the X-37B spaceplane into orbit tonight. Everyday Astronaut is streaming the launch which should occur around 8:07 PM EST.

A brief space defense roundup:

White House Proposes Splitting ‘New Space’ Regulatory Authority: The White House National Space Council is proposing a legislative change to split the regulatory authority for new types of commercial space activities between the Commerce and Transportation Departments. This change aims to address issues such as on-orbit refueling and cargo delivery by rocket, which are of interest to the Pentagon. The proposal aims to reduce red tape and support commercial expansion in space, including activities like in-space assembly, manufacturing, and space debris removal. Source Breaking Defense

US Space Force Announces 21 New Launch Missions: The US Space Force has confirmed 21 new launch missions through 2024 under the National Security Space Launch program. These missions, awarded to United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX, include a focus on reconnaissance and missile protection. ULA will conduct five satellite launches for the National Reconnaissance Office, and SpaceX will launch a Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellite for missile warning. Source The Defense Post

European Union Adopts Space Defense Strategy: For the first time, European Union leaders have endorsed a common strategy for the defense of space assets. This strategy, approved by the EU’s Council of Ministers, emphasizes the need to increase awareness and response capabilities to space threats. The EU is moving towards a more assertive stance in space defense, historically having been more focused on civilian-centric space policy. The strategy includes maintaining the technical sovereignty of the EU space industrial base and reducing dependencies on critical technologies. Source Breaking Defense

Space Force Eyes Future of Speed and Agility in Orbit: For its latest Hyperspace Challenge accelerator, the U.S. Space Force selected three startups specializing in satellite propulsion, reflecting the military’s growing interest in nimble satellite technologies. Source SpaceNews

Project Nyx Alpha to Boost UK Space Command’s Domain Awareness: The U.K.’s Space Command is set to enhance its space domain awareness capabilities, following a deal announced by the Ministry of Defence with a small London-based company. Source DefenseNews

SpaceX successfully executed a six engine static fire with Starship 25 today.

Finished reading: When the Heavens Went on Sale by Ashlee Vance. It’s an excellent primer on the good, the bad, and the ugly in new space and an absolute blast to read. 📚

The New Space Era Will Drive The Economy of Tomorrow:

Space has matured into a domain driven by a greater number of players—be it nations, private entities, or nontraditional participants—and we no longer need a telescope to see the vital importance of the “final frontier” as a global economic driver. Despite the possibilities that this new space age will bring in the coming years, few are aware of the extent to which the space economy is already reshaping how people live and work, and more important, how governments compete for power and influence.

SpaceX now says that they’re moving to a hot-staging approach for Starship. This isn’t going to help silence those Starship/N1 comparisons.

Per Reuters “Elon Musk’s SpaceX is offering to sell insider shares at a price that would raise the company’s valuation to about $150 billion.”

Varda Space Industries’s initial effort, with a bus built by Rocket Lab and launched by SpaceX, is a perfect example of new space collaboration and what it can enable:

Varda’s vision is straightforward: The company’s capsule will launch with an experiment already on board. Once in orbit, the capsule detaches and begins flying through space attached to what’s called a satellite bus, a structure that will provide the power, propulsion and communications necessary to navigate the vacuum of space. (For Varda’s first few missions, the satellite bus will be provided by another commercial space company, Rocket Lab.)

Then the experiment begins, carried out by simple on-board machines. The goal is to create key components of pharmaceuticals while in microgravity. In this weightless environment, such experiments aren’t bogged down by Earth’s pull.