The German scientist proposed sending ships with cells and genes to the nearest exoplanets, from which life could appear.
German scientist Claudius Groß from the University of Frankfurt. Goethe proposed using the panspermia method to transfer certain cells from Earth to nearby planets. In his opinion, such an experiment can be successful if using spacecraft with a laser jet engine.
Gros took on the Breakthrough Starshot project, which aims to launch small ships to Alpha Centauri to take photographs. The project involves the creation of ultralight sailing ships that will be launched using earth lasers, and their space "voyage" will last about 20 years.
For his project, a German scientist suggested modifying the ships a little, making them more functional, but heavy, due to which the speed of movement would decrease. The scientist wants to put a small container with cells and genes into the ship, as well as create a braking system for the ship so that he can plant the "seeds of life" on a new planet.
Breakthrough Starshot solar sail concept
As a brake, Gros suggested using the same sails, but not solar, but magnetic. According to preliminary estimates, the ship will weigh about 1.5 tons, and its sails will be about 50 km long. Despite its impressive size, the ship will reach the Trappist-1 star in 12 thousand years.
The red dwarf Trappist-1 was not chosen by chance, since usually exoplanets with an oxygen-rich atmosphere revolve around such stars, where imported cells may well develop.
Such projects are useless for humanity, but life itself has value and should be able to develop on other planets,”said Claudius Gros.
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He said that this project is designed for the future and one should not expect any quick results, besides, there are more important things for today's research. But you should not miss the opportunity to extend our life to other planets, the scientist believes.
Erica Efremova
