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Self-replicating spacecraft

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The idea ofself-replicating spacecraft has been appliedin theoryto several distinct "tasks". The particular variant of this idea applied to the idea of

space exploration is known as a von Neumann probe. Other variants include the Berserker and an automated seeder ship.

Self-replicating spacecraft

In theory, a self-replicating spacecraft could be sent to a neighbouring star-system, where it would seek out raw materials (extracted from asteroids,

moons, gas giants, etc.) to create replicas of itself. These replicas would then be sent out to other star systems, repeating the process in an exponentially

increasing pattern. The original "parent" probe could then pursue its primary purpose within the star system. This mission varies widely depending on

the variant of self-replicating starship proposed.

Given this pattern, and its similarity to the reproduction patterns of bacteria, it has been pointed out that von Neumann machines might be considered a

form of life. In his short story, "Lungfish" (see Examples in fiction below), David Brin touches on this idea, pointing out that self-replicating machines

launched by different species might actually compete with one another (in a Darwinistic fashion) for raw material, or even have conflicting missions.

Contents

1 Self-replicating spacecraft 2 Implications for Fermi's Paradox 3 Applications for self-replicating spacecraft

3.1 Von Neumann probes 3.2 Autonomous synthetic life 3.3 Berserkers 3.4 Replicating "seeder" ships

4 Examples in fiction

4.1 Von Neumann probes 4.2 Berserkers 4.3 Replicating "seeder" ships

5 References 6 See also

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information, and an onboard computer system raises and trains the first few generations of new inhabitants. The massive ships are then brokendown and used as building materials by their "children".

References

1. ^ Freitas, Robert A., Jr. (July 1980). "A Self-Reproducing Interstellar Probe (http://www.rfreitas.com/Astro/ReproJBISJuly1980.htm)".J. Brit. Interplanet. Soc.33: 251-264.

2. ^ http://www.rfreitas.com/Astro/ComparisonReproNov1980.htm3. ^ "Extraterrestrial Beings Do Not Exist", Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, vol. 21, number 267 (1981)4. ^ Sagan, Carl and Newman, William: "The Solipsist Approach to Extraterrestrial Intelligence", Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, vol. 24,

number 113 (1983)

5. ^ http://www.rfreitas.com/Astro/ReproJBISJuly1980.htm6. ^ The complete text of the story has been placed on the author's website at http://www.davidbrin.com/lungfish1.html

Boyce, Chris.Extraterrestrial Encounter: A Personal Perspective. London: David & Charles, Newton Abbot (1979). von Tiesenhausen, G., and Darbro, W. A. "Self-Replicating Systems," NASA Technical Memorandum 78304. Washington, D.C.: National

Aeronautics and Space Administration (1980). Freitas Jr., Robert A. "A Self-Reproducing Interstellar Probe,"Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, 33, 251-264 (1980). [1]

(http://www.rfreitas.com/Astro/ReproJBISJuly1980.htm) Also [2] (http://www.molecularassembler.com/KSRM/3.11.htm)

Valdes, F., and Freitas, R. A. "Comparison of Reproducing and Non-Reproducing Starprobe Strategies for Galactic Exploration,"Journal of theBritish Interplanetary Society, 33, 402-408 (1980). [3] (http://www.rfreitas.com/Astro/ComparisonReproNov1980.htm)

See also

Astrochicken Bracewell probe

Embryo space colonization Interstellar travel Space colonization Self-replicating machine

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Categories: Artificial life | Fictional spacecraft | Hypothetical spacecraft

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