Explore the fascinating search for extraterrestrial life and interstellar travel in this 28-minute keynote address by Pete Worden of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, recorded at the InterPlanetary Festival in Santa Fe, NM. Delve into fundamental questions about life's origins and extent in the universe, examining topics such as single-cell and complex organisms, initiatives for revitalizing SETI, and the potential of radio waves for galactic communication. Investigate various technologies and concepts for interstellar travel, including nuclear propulsion, antimatter, positron-induced fusion, and light sailing. Learn about the challenges of reaching nearby star systems, the potential of space elevators, and recent discoveries like methane on Mars. Gain insights into cutting-edge projects and student challenges in relativity and life sciences, offering a comprehensive overview of humanity's quest to explore and understand our cosmic neighborhood.
Overview
Syllabus
first questions Is there other life in the universe? Can we travel between stars? Is there intelligent life elsewhere?
All of life on earth is either a single cell organism or a more complicated organism
Set of initiatives announced at the Royal Society in London to revitalize search for extraterrestrial intelligence
A study began in the early 60s showed that radio waves can travel at great distances through the galaxy
Traveling between the stars and an analysis of various ideas where this can happen
Development of technology in the next few decades that might enable traveling between stars
Is there any place to go in the nearby star systems?
Is it really possible to arrive at these other stars in terms of distance and speed?
Rocket equation and rocket fuel is a possible solution
Can nuclear fission or fusion be the answer?
Difficulties in using anti-matter with normal matter
Using positrons which are positively charged electrons to induce fusion.
Validity of paper done by physicists at Johnson Space Center about using quantum background field to get propulsion
Light sailing is where you bounce light off of a material to get propulsion
Using a powerful laser and smaller spacecraft
Ganging many lasers together to make small capable systems
Starship concept
What kinds of projects the students did in the junior challenge which included relativity and life sciences?
Space elevators gets large payloads off the earth
How would the shade propelled by laser get the photographs back to earth?
The discovery of methane on Mars
Taught by
Santa Fe Institute
