Maybe a billion miles (or kilometers) could be called a sagan. If you used metric prefixes, everything from the distance from New York to California (3 microsagans) to the distance to Andromeda (15 gigasagans) could be on the same scale.
As for sustaining knowledge beyond the careers of human engineers, it would seem that AI offers a prospect for holding "mission knowledge" for extended periods. It's arriving on the scene just in time. . . .
Multi-generational projects are nothing new. From neolithic times onwards, the time taken to construct edifices such as the passage tomb at Newgrange in Ireland, the Egyptian pyramids or the great medieval catherdrals ran to multiples of the contemperory human life span. If we want to send probes to explore space at these vast distances, we'll need to emulate the vision and long-term commitment of the builders of these incredible ancient monuments.
Maybe a billion miles (or kilometers) could be called a sagan. If you used metric prefixes, everything from the distance from New York to California (3 microsagans) to the distance to Andromeda (15 gigasagans) could be on the same scale.
I am in favor of this idea. Let the sagan rule!
As for sustaining knowledge beyond the careers of human engineers, it would seem that AI offers a prospect for holding "mission knowledge" for extended periods. It's arriving on the scene just in time. . . .
I always find this Substack so refreshing and interesting! Thanks for breaking things down into layman’s terms.
Multi-generational projects are nothing new. From neolithic times onwards, the time taken to construct edifices such as the passage tomb at Newgrange in Ireland, the Egyptian pyramids or the great medieval catherdrals ran to multiples of the contemperory human life span. If we want to send probes to explore space at these vast distances, we'll need to emulate the vision and long-term commitment of the builders of these incredible ancient monuments.
We will never "reach the stars", that is a fantasy of similar proportions to flat-earther beliefs.
I'm not a scientist so I'll leave this from somebody who is:
https://dothemath.ucsd.edu/2025/10/2025-a-space-absurdity/
Interesting, and very educational.. I am gonna find out more about the existence and formation of iron-60..
Love that you gave Solar Probe a shoutout! Big fan of that mission
I have more on the Solar Probe coming next week! It's a remarkable mission
Awesome! If you need some insider pov... ;)