Re: [Spaceships] Fusion Rockets
 

If human level informorphs are possible in the near future. In THS that's a given, but it is not in all possible futures even harshly realistic ones.

Re: [Spaceships] Fusion Rockets
 

Yes, if human level infomorphs are possible then a large server with teleoperated robots would seem to be more useful at first glance. However in order to perform every role a (trans)human would be capable of an enormous variety of specialized machines would be required, or else incredibly complex machines that are as generally capable as a (trans)human. Whether all those specialized machines or the tools required to reconfigure them would be less resource intensive than a habitat for organic beings is legitimately up for debate. I happen to believe that the support infrastructure for machine based life that can match the capabilities of organic life would be essentially the same. Given the choice of engineering an entire set of species in a different medium or modifying a selection of pre-existing species, I'll avoid re-inventing the wheel. Why would a society of machines need less resources than a society of organics? It's taken as a simple fact but without an example of human-equivalent machine based life to compare to it's just a guess. It's even possible that a machine with the capabilities of a human would require MORE resources, especially when reproductive capability is taken into account.
"Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft... and the only one that can be mass produced with unskilled labor." ~Werner von Braun

Re: [Spaceships] Fusion Rockets
 

Granted. And all kinds of social issues might prevent Infomorphs even if they are possible. But in this instance I do believe that space exploration will also be retarded because of the costs required to support unmodified humans. The same social issues that would prevent infomorphs from being developed (if feasible) would also likely prevent panhumans.

While it is only my opinion, it is an opinion that is supported by our current space exploration programs. The most advanced spacecraft, all spacecraft used beyond LEO and by far the most numerous spacecraft are all unmanned... controlled by onboard computers and directed by humans (who are all using computers). Advancements in our space industry for now at least, seem directly tied to our technology (computing in particualr) and cost efficiency.

This is a point of disagreement. I cannot imagine an efficient role in space that a human can perform without the aid of sophisticated technology, automation and/or robotics. *If* human level infomorphs are possible, fully automating the system simply saves the expense of physical controls. And while the ambulatory ability of humans is required for many tasks, robots already today can perform much of that ability... and at TL9, in the age of robofacs, these robots will be commonplace, capable and cost efficient.

I agree there will be a maintenence cost associated with the robotic element, but it will utalize the same maintenence facilities required to keep the fundamental technology of the colony/ship running. Cost is only for the increased maintenence capacity required, not the intial overhead. Adding humans will require completely new life-support and food production systems, which will also require their own maintenence.

Once you get into transhumanity... panhumans, cyborgs, nanite colonies, you are reinventing the wheel.

They might require similar amounts of resources, but even that's doubtful. However they will require the same resources that all of the other required technology will need (unless we start making bio-ships and bio-colonies). This reduces overhead, allows focusing on specific industries, and allows more interchangability of resources.

In addition you can cut out not simply life-support systems, but habitats as well. The main server room requires far less resources than all the habitats and agricultural area needed for organics.


Except that all of our spacecraft are unmanned (excluding *some* operations in LEO... which isn't even technically "space").