A Comment on "The Far Future of Exoplanet Direct Characterization" - the Case for Interstellar Space Probes

TL;DR

This paper argues that the technical challenges of interstellar probes for exoplanet characterization are less daunting than previously suggested, emphasizing the potential benefits for astrobiology and the feasibility of rapid interstellar travel.

Contribution

It challenges prior claims about insurmountable obstacles to interstellar probes and highlights the feasibility and scientific value of developing such capabilities.

Findings

Interstellar dust is unlikely to be a show stopper.

Rapid interstellar travel concepts are plausible with current ideas.

Astrobiology would benefit from interstellar exploration.

Abstract

Following on from ideas presented in a recent paper by Schneider et al. (2010) on "The Far Future of Exoplanet Direct Characterization", I argue that they have exaggerated the technical obstacles to performing such 'direct characterization' by means of fast (order 0.1c) interstellar space probes. A brief summary of rapid interstellar spaceflight concepts that may be found in the literature is presented. I argue that the presence of interstellar dust grains, while certainly something which will need to be allowed for in interstellar vehicle design, is unlikely to be the kind of 'show stopper' suggested by Schneider et al. Astrobiology as a discipline would be a major beneficiary of developing an interstellar spaceflight capability, albeit in the longer term, and I argue that astrobiologists should keep an open mind to the possibilities.