Self-replicating spacecraft

The Von Neumann probe is a hypothetical concept for self-replicating spacecraft, which is based on the idea of ​​self-reproducing automata of the mathematician John von Neumann. It is used in the science fiction and was the subject of speculative considerations about alien civilizations.

History

The reason for the naming is the title of the book Theory of Self- Reproducing Automata by John von Neumann and Arthur W. Burks, with von Neumann himself did not suggest the use of such machines in the space research. A Von Neumann probe is characterized by the fact that they can make an exact copy of their own without human intervention, which in turn is itself able to copy itself exactly. So it is a kind of " machine protozoa ". Under this scenario, a single von Neumann probe is started for the next solar system, where they created at least two copies of itself, the further into the universe.

The American physicist Robert A. Freitas Jr., published in 1980 a study entitled A Self- Reproducing Interstellar sample. He studied in a scenario in which a space probe a " SEED " (English seeds) said apparatus in another solar system brings. SEED constructed here on a small moon a "factory " factory said complex, then a new SEED apparatus and the drive system produces this.

Von Neumann probes and the Fermi paradox

Frank J. Tipler 1981, the hypothetical probes used for his argument against the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations: If there were such civilizations, as they had in the prior art, high age of the universe already using self-replicating probes everywhere can spread out ( Tipler's reformulation of the Fermi paradox ). Carl Sagan and William Newman maintained that intelligent civilizations would accept the construction of the Von Neumann probes distance to prevent these probes uncontrollably consume all available resources. Freitas believes that the reproduction rate adopted by Tipler and in particular Sagan of the probes is greatly exaggerated, and their conclusions can not be drawn under realistic conditions. Contrast, however, says: Even if a Von Neumann probe could double only every 100 years, could be in 10,000 years 2100 = 1.268 · 1030 arise Von Neumann probes. In the science fiction series Stargate there is a slightly modified version of this theory, the Replicators.