Interstellar Colonization and Multi-Generation Spaceships: Getting There is Half the Fun

A. Andrews Sr. (2013), JBIS, 66, pp.213-217

Refcode: 2013.66.213

Abstract:
Assuming that the necessary propulsion and navigation technologies will be mature and available a hundred years from now, this paper addresses the problems of, and proposes a solution for, two often-ignored aspects of interstellar colonization schemes: (i) Interstellar Economics Justifying the investment before launch, and the economics en route (ii) Colony vs. Crew Surviving by thriving. The one solution to both problems proposes a meaningful and useful long-term construction and conversion project to be carried out by the colonists during their more-than-a-lifetime journey. Though the proposal considers only a single onecentury trek, the principles outlined will be applicable to longer-duration journeys.