Building the future of WaferSat spacecraft for relativistic spacecraft

Brashears, Travis; Lubin, P. M.; Rupert, Nic; Stanton, Eric T.; Mehta, Amal; Knowles, Patrick; Hughes, Gary B.

doi:10.1117/12.2238471

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…It is analogous to driving through the rain. For this reason the spacecraft is thin and oriented edge-on like a "Frisbee" with the forward edge receiving an extremely large radiation dose (Gigarad/year), while the radiation exposure on the rearward portion of the spacecraft (where the electronics and biology are located) receive vastly less radiation that allows a mission to proceed [26]. Further research is needed to confirm if this orientation is self-stabilizing.…”

Section: Space Radiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the study of life in the interstellar environment, it is necessary to include experimental controls (in LEO and on the ground) and the use of diverse genotypes and species to characterize a wide response space [132]. Initial research on miniaturizing the necessary research hardware and supporting electrical components is detailed in Brashears, 2016 [26].…”

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The First Interstellar Astronauts Will Not Be Human

Lantin,

Mendell,

Akkad

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Our ability to explore the cosmos by direct contact has been limited to a small number of lunar and interplanetary missions. However, the NASA Starlight program points a path forward to send small, relativistic spacecraft far outside our solar system via standoff directed-energy propulsion. These miniaturized spacecraft are capable of robotic exploration but can also transport seeds and organisms, marking a profound change in our ability to both characterize and expand the reach of known life. Here we explore the biological and technological challenges of interstellar space biology, focusing on radiation-tolerant microorganisms capable of cryptobiosis. Additionally, we discuss planetary protection concerns and other ethical considerations of sending life to the stars.

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Section: Space Radiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

The First Interstellar Astronauts Will Not Be Human

Lantin,

Mendell,

Akkad

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Directed energy launch systems may accelerate wafersat spacecrafts weighing a few gram up to 20% of the speed of light [9], at least modulo a substantial technology development effort. Wafer-sized interstellar probes capable of reaching the nearest stars within several decades may hence be employed, as envisioned by the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative [10], for science data return missions.…”

Section: Data Gathering By Fast Flyby Probesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why planetary and exoplanetary protection differ: The case of long duration genesis missions to habitable but sterile M-dwarf oxygen planets

Gros

2019

Acta Astronautica

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Time is arguably the key limiting factor for interstellar exploration. At high speeds, flyby missions to nearby stars by laser propelled wafersats taking 50-100 years would be feasible. Directed energy launch systems could accelerate on the other side also crafts weighing several tons to cruising speeds of the order of 1000 km/s (c/300). At these speeds, superconducting magnetic sails would be able to decelerate the craft by transferring kinetic energy to the protons of the interstellar medium. A tantalizing perspective, which would allow interstellar probes to stop whenever time is not a limiting factor. Prime candidates are in this respect Genesis probes, that is missions aiming to offer terrestrial life new evolutionary pathways on potentially habitable but hitherto barren exoplanets.Genesis missions raise important ethical issues, in particular with regard to planetary protection. Here we argue that exoplanetary and planetary protection differ qualitatively as a result of the vastly different cruising times for payload delivering probes, which are of the order of millennia for interstellar probes, but only of years for solar system bodies. Furthermore we point out that our galaxy may harbor a large number of habitable exoplanets, M-dwarf planets, which could be sterile due to the presence of massive primordial oxygen atmospheres. We believe that the prospect terrestrial life has in our galaxy would shift on a fundamental level in case that the existence of this type of habitable but sterile oxygen planets will be corroborated by future research. It may also explain why our sun is not a M dwarf, the most common star type, but a medium-sized G-class star.

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“…Further ChipSats are currently under development, such as the Drexel PinPoint, which is going to be mounted on a small satellite and not deployed. For the ThumbSat [35], wafer-scale spacecraft [36], and Monarch [15], the launch date and deployment mode is not known.…”

Section: State Of the Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

AttoSats: ChipSats, other Gram-Scale Spacecraft, and Beyond

Hein,

Burkhardt,

Eubanks

2019

Preprint

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The miniaturization of electronic and mechanical components has allowed for an unprecedented downscaling of spacecraft size and mass. Today, spacecraft with a mass between 1 to 10 grams, AttoSats, have been developed and operated in space. Due to their small size, they introduce a new paradigm in spacecraft design, relying on agile development, rapid iterations, and massive redundancy. However, no systematic survey of the potential advantages and unique mission concepts based on AttoSats exists. This paper explores the potential of AttoSats for future space missions. First, we present the state of the art of AttoSats. Next, we identify unique AttoSat characteristics and map them to future mission capabilities. Finally, we go beyond AttoSats and explore how smart dust and nano-scale spacecraft could allow for even smaller spacecraft in the milligram range: zepto-and yocto spacecraft.

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Building the future of WaferSat spacecraft for relativistic spacecraft

Cited by 4 publications

References 7 publications

The First Interstellar Astronauts Will Not Be Human

The First Interstellar Astronauts Will Not Be Human

Why planetary and exoplanetary protection differ: The case of long duration genesis missions to habitable but sterile M-dwarf oxygen planets

AttoSats: ChipSats, other Gram-Scale Spacecraft, and Beyond

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