[meteorite-list] Capturing asteroids in orbit

[eric at meteoritesusa.com]

The problem with Von Neuman machines, are Von Neuman machines...

Regards,
Eric


Quoting Darren Garrison <cynapse at charter.net>:

> On Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:20:17 -0700 (PDT), you wrote:
>
>> I wonder if it would possible to send some machines to the asteroid  
>>  belt to capture some whole asteroids and bring them to Earth? Or   
>> would they be drifting too quickly in their orbits to capture with   
>> the current technology? Also would decent-sized samples from such   
>> captures be available to collectors?
>>
>
> It would-- with technologies that are theoretically possible but not yet
> invented.  You would need Von Neuman machines
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replicating_machine
>
> that are designed to build fusion rockets (along with more of themselves)
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_rocket
>
> You would need vast amounts of ice for fuel, though-- you'd either   
> have to find
> a very icy asteroid or send the machines to a comet to steer that to the
> asteroid to use as fuel.
>
> There may be one or more factor that will in the future be found to be
> impossible, but for now in theory sufficently advanced science and technology
> should be able to manage it.
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