论文标题
近期自我复制探针 - 概念设计
Near-Term Self-replicating Probes -- A Concept Design
论文作者
论文摘要
自我复制探针是航天器，具有创建自己副本的能力。自我复制将有可能使探针数量呈指数增加，从而大大提高了空间探索的效率。尽管有这种潜力，但自1980年代以来就没有提出对自我复制空间探针的综合评估，目前尚不清楚它们的可行程度。在本文中，我们提出了一个基于当前和近期技术的空间探索的部分自我复制探针的概念，重点是小型航天器。目的是绘制以近期益处的自我复制的途径，而不是尝试完全自我复制。因此，带有初始探测器，诸如微芯片和其他微电源组件之类的组件，并未复制。我们估计这种探针能够复制其质量的70％。为了进一步提高这一百分比，我们确定了有望解决的技术差距。我们得出的结论是，小规模的部分自我复制探针是可行的。他们的好处将在探索任务中发挥作用，大约需要十几个探针。
Self-replicating probes are spacecraft with the capacity to create copies of themselves. Self-replication would potentially allow for an exponential increase in the number of probes and thereby drastically improve the efficiency of space exploration. Despite this potential, an integrated assessment of self-replicating space probes has not been presented since the 1980s, and it is still unclear how far they are feasible. In this paper, we propose a concept for a partially self-replicating probe for space exploration based on current and near-term technologies, with a focus on small spacecraft. The purpose is to chart a path towards self-replication with near-term benefits, rather than attempting full self-replication. For this reason, components such as microchips and other microelectronic components are brought with the initial probe and are not replicated. We estimate that such a probe would be capable of replicating 70% of its mass. To further increase this percentage, we identify technology gaps that are promising to address. We conclude that small-scale, partially self-replicating probes are feasible near-term. Their benefits would play out in exploration missions requiring roughly more than a dozen of probes.
