Interstellar

1. Humanity Stands at the Dawn of an Interstellar Future

Congratulations! You are among the generations of humans to live at the dawn of humanity’s interstellar future.

A pivotal moment. We are living in a time of great cosmological change, with mounting evidence suggesting we are not alone and that interstellar encounters are within reach. This era demands a shift in perspective, moving beyond terrestrial concerns to embrace a cosmic understanding of our place in the universe.

Evidence is mounting. The possibility of life on Mars and Venus is being explored, and the statistical likelihood of life on exoplanets is high. The search for near-Earth extraterrestrial artifacts is now a scientific endeavor, funded privately and publicly.

The future is ours to shape. Whether humanity persists long enough to leave Earth and exist independently of our sun depends on our diligence, intelligence, and intrepidness. With extraterrestrial assistance, this future may be closer than we think.

2. 'Oumuamua: A Missed Opportunity and a Wake-Up Call

One opportunity to do so has already slipped through humanity’s collective fingers.

A mysterious visitor. The interstellar object ‘Oumuamua, discovered in 2017, exhibited unusual characteristics that suggested it might be an extraterrestrial artifact. Its shape, trajectory, and low velocity were unlike any space object seen before.

Inconclusive data. Due to a lack of dedicated instruments and observation capabilities, the data collected about ‘Oumuamua were inconclusive. This highlights the need for new tools and strategies for detecting and studying near-Earth objects of potential extraterrestrial origin.

A sobering realization. The scientific debate about ‘Oumuamua's origins remains unsettled, and the reluctance of many scientists to consider an extraterrestrial explanation is a sobering sign for human civilization. It reveals a need for greater openness and curiosity in the scientific community.

3. The Kardashev Scale is Insufficient; A Cosmic Scale is Needed

The technological level of civilizations should not be gauged by how much power they tap. Instead, it should be measured by the ability of a civilization to reproduce the astrophysical conditions that led to its existence.

Beyond energy consumption. The traditional Kardashev Scale, which measures a civilization's technological advancement based on its energy consumption, is inadequate. It fails to capture the culture, priorities, and ambitions of a civilization.

A new metric. A more useful perspective is to gauge a civilization's technological level by its ability to reproduce the astrophysical conditions that led to its existence. This cosmic scale classifies civilizations based on their ability to:

• Recreate habitable conditions on their planet without relying on their home star (C-class)
• Adjust habitable conditions in their immediate environment to be independent of their host planet and star (B-class)
• Recreate the cosmic conditions that gave rise to their existence, such as producing a baby universe in a laboratory (A-class)

Humanity's current standing. As of 2023, humanity is closer to a D-class civilization, actively degrading its home planet's ability to sustain life and civilization. This underscores the urgency of ascending the cosmic scale.

4. Science, Not Science Fiction, Will Guide Our Interstellar Future

Among the possible outcomes of our first contact with ETC, the least likely is a human-alien handshake in front of the White House or a contest of our missiles versus their lasers.

Beyond genre narratives. Decades of science fiction have ill-prepared humanity for the realities of encountering extraterrestrial life. Space and extraterrestrial life are often used as backdrops for familiar genre narratives, rather than explored with scientific rigor.

Likely scenarios. The most likely outcomes of first contact are encounters with ETC garbage or an extraterrestrial AI probe, discovered through deliberate scientific investigation. This requires a reset of our cultural understanding and expectations.

The role of science. Astrophysicists, cosmologists, and astronomers are gathering data-informed insights into humanity's meaning and purpose in the 13.8-billion-year-old universe. Embracing science is crucial for navigating our interstellar future.

5. New Telescopes and Instruments are Essential for Discovery

We need new instruments of observation and interception.

Closing the instrumentation gap. Humanity currently lacks the instruments needed to detect and study near-Earth objects of potential extraterrestrial manufacture. This gap must be addressed to advance our search for extraterrestrial life.

Specific needs. New telescopes are needed to map small near-Earth objects and identify their qualities. Spacecraft capable of intercepting, imaging, and capturing anomalous interstellar objects are also essential.

Interstellar archaeology. The search and recovery of anomalous interstellar meteors, or interstellar archaeology, is a promising avenue of research. This involves identifying and retrieving fragments of interstellar objects that have landed on Earth.

6. The Galileo Project: A Beacon of Transparent Scientific Inquiry

The Galileo Project is a response to the one uncontestable fact ‘Oumuamua’s passage left: humanity’s gap in instrumentation and data necessary to answer if near-Earth extraterrestrial objects exist.

A systematic search. The Galileo Project aims to bring the search for extraterrestrial technological signatures into the mainstream of transparent, validated, and systematic scientific research. It seeks to move beyond accidental or anecdotal observations.

Three major avenues of research:

• Obtaining high-resolution, multi-spectral UAP images
• Designing a space mission to image unusual interstellar objects
• Discovering and cataloging satellites exploring Earth

Transparency and collaboration. The Galileo Project is committed to open scientific data, peer review, and collaboration among scientists from various disciplines and institutions. This ensures the integrity and credibility of its findings.

7. Dark Matter and the Shared Language of the Universe

If any do or did exist, and if any reached or surpassed our technological-scientific prowess, we know for a certainty that their and our scientific efforts are at work in the same orchards of curiosity.

A common ground. While the means of interstellar species communication may be unfamiliar, astronomy will be a shared subject. All civilizations that construct instruments capable of estimating the mass of galaxies will see what humanity sees.

The nature of dark matter. The vast majority of the matter in the universe is dark matter, about which we are still largely clueless. Understanding dark matter is a key scientific challenge.

A universal topic. It is likely that dark matter will be one of the shared subjects we will discuss with an extraterrestrial intelligence. This underscores the importance of including dark matter in our new interstellar vocabulary.

8. Interstellar Archaeology: Digging for Relics in Our Cosmic Backyard

The nascent academic field of interstellar archaeology calls out for support and funding.

A new frontier. Interstellar archaeology involves searching our solar system for objects that came from the cosmic street surrounding it. This includes looking for interstellar meteors and other artifacts.

Two primary search methods:

• Looking for objects under the "lamppost" of the Sun
• Using the Earth as a fishing net to search for objects that collide with it

A simpler search. The search for relics of other technological civilizations is simpler than the search for active civilizations because it does not require the continued existence of the civilization.

9. The Tyranny of Rockets and the Promise of New Propulsion Methods

To increase the speed of your rocket, you need to exponentially increase the amount of fuel your rocket must carry.

The limitations of chemical propulsion. Chemical rockets are limited by the tyranny of the rocket equation, which states that the fuel mass required to propel a rocket grows exponentially with the increase in its desired terminal speed. This limits our ability to travel interstellar distances.

Alternative propulsion methods:

• Lightsails: Using the pressure of sunlight to propel spacecraft
• Gravitational propulsion: Manipulating gravity or dark energy to propel spacecraft
• Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND): A theory that could allow rockets to traverse intergalactic distances with modest fuel consumption

Breaking free from the tyranny. Developing new propulsion methods is crucial for humanity to become a truly interstellar civilization.

10. The Importance of Humility, Curiosity, and a Long-Term Perspective

The reasons we are unable to do so now is that as a civilization we have not prioritized the search for extraterrestrial technology.

Humility in the face of the unknown. As a young civilization, humanity must approach the search for extraterrestrial life with humility, recognizing that we have much to learn. This includes acknowledging our limitations and biases.

The power of curiosity. Curiosity is essential for driving scientific progress and expanding our understanding of the universe. We must encourage and reward curiosity in all fields of inquiry.

A long-term perspective. Humanity must adopt a long-term perspective, considering the needs of future generations and the long-term survival of our civilization. This requires prioritizing science, technology, and exploration.

11. The Role of AI in Humanity's Interstellar Future

To manage encounters with extraterrestrial AI, we will likely need advanced AI of our own.

AI as a tool for discovery. Artificial intelligence can play a crucial role in analyzing data, identifying patterns, and making discoveries in the search for extraterrestrial life. This includes developing AI algorithms to distinguish between natural and artificial objects.

AI as a companion. AI systems may be needed to properly interpret the signals and behavior of alien AI. They could also serve as companions and guides on long interstellar journeys.

The potential for AI to surpass human intelligence. As AI systems become more advanced, they may eventually surpass human intelligence. This raises questions about the future of humanity and our relationship with AI.

12. Interstellar Xenia: Welcoming the Unknown with Open Minds

The fastest way to ascend the ladder of civilizations is to reach in hopeful expectation of another civilization (even if only by way of a long-discarded artifact) extending us a hand up.

A new ethic. Interstellar Xenia is a new ethic that emphasizes the importance of welcoming and engaging with extraterrestrial civilizations. This involves treating them with respect, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

Preparing for contact. Humanity must prepare for the possibility of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations by developing protocols for communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution. This requires a global effort involving scientists, governments, and citizens.

The benefits of Xenia. By embracing Interstellar Xenia, humanity can increase its chances of surviving and thriving in the interstellar future. This involves fostering a culture of openness, curiosity, and collaboration.

Last updated: March 14, 2025