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Exploration, Interstellar
 Image from Juan Ochoa and Steve Bowers |
The first step is to observe desired targets remotely using telescopic systems, comparing any findings to the objectives at hand. Entities with the intent to colonize will seek out locations which suit their colonization needs, whereas discovery-oriented missions may simply survey large swathes of space, collecting and analyzing whatever data they find without significant priority.
Following the selection of a desired target, spacecraft can be sent to study the location at closer range with the scale of the operation dependent on the mission. Colonization efforts may await the results of the probes' mission; if so, the craft will be of a more exploratory configuration carrying only small numbers of passengers, if any. If the target system is deemed suitable for focused colonization, the spacecraft will begin construction of infrastructure.
The final step is full-scale colonization, which may occur directly after remote observations if the system has already been deemed adequate. Infrastructure and colonization vessels will arrive in quantity to begin developing and inhabiting the system. Decades to centuries later, a wormhole may be brought to the system to link it up with the Nexus or other wormhole networks, at the discretion of the governing entities.
History of Use
From the earliest days of interplanetary history through the First Federation period, interstellar travel was still a challenging, expensive, and risky undertaking. Most societies at this time were still largely governed by modosophonts. Telescopes surveyed every possible target that could be observed, and cheap flyby probes were occasionally sent through numerous systems to collect up-close data. Probes sent to visit and remain in other star systems required a significant commitment, utilizing boostbeams as well as fusion and eventually antimatter drives for propulsion and power. Magbrakes were utilized in tandem with other propulsion systems to provide fuel-efficient deceleration. The time from development and launch of the probe to the reception of its collected data, if it even succeeded, was decades to centuries. For this reason, many early colonization efforts opted to forgo the exploration probe step, a decision which resulted in varying degrees of success and failure.Unchecked self-replication technology was still mistrusted during this period, with probes thus delegated to mainly observational tasks without notable neumann replication capabilities. Colonization efforts were often governed by modosophonts, who had to develop ways to ensure their survival on their long journey to their new home.
As transapients became more ingrained in society towards the end of the First Federation, they took on oversight of the rapidly expanding Terragen colonization efforts. Their unparalleled ingenuity combined with the increasing availability of advanced interstellar travel technology allowed not only the exponential growth of colonized space, but for the accelerated expansion of the Periphery with exploratory probes inhabited by superbright or transapient copies with versatile autonomy. Modosophonts could live in virtual worlds or in digital stasis for the duration of colonization journeys, being given new bodies to inhabit upon arrival.
Further advances in technology greatly increased the rate of expansion. Conversion technology and ramscoops allowed for rapid interstellar travel using ubiquitous material, which led to an exponentially growing number of new systems constantly coming within reach of the ever-expanding sphere of Terragen space. Space probes by this time had evolved into freeform assemblies without any particular set configuration, able to create and disassemble components as needed and create copies of themselves to aid in development or research.
In the Current Era, probes are constantly reaching new systems on the Periphery. There they create copies of themselves, which set off immediately for new systems further out to continue the process. The probe that remains is well situated to perform any conceivable task desired by the residents that inhabit its databanks or may be arriving later. This process requires fast and highly versatile ships adept at reaching and exploring new space in as efficient a manner as possible, else they risk being overtaken by more capable entities.
What was once a rare and remarkable undertaking has now become a constant expansive force at every boundary of civilization. Despite the vast differences of time and technology, the end goals remain the same as they were from the beginning. Probes in Periphery systems perform analyses that telescopes are not suited for, studying for research or informational advancement purposes, or transmitting data back to a progenitor many light-years behind for informed future colonization decisions.
Remote Observation
The most basic method of exploration is remote observation; telescopes have been used since ancient times to study distant stars and worlds, though it was not until the Solsys Era that colonization of these new worlds was a possibility and these observations became practical for the sake of utilization.Commonly the first step in all efforts, remote observation has remained an integral aspect of exploration and colonization for all of Terragen history. The knowledge gained is used to determine potential targets, from a system-wide view down to specific regions of planetary or asteroidal bodies. Information on the mass, material composition, density, and orbital characteristics of these bodies can all be determined at this remote observational stage.
The drawbacks are most notably the limited resolutions available over interstellar distances, and the lack of detailed compositional data. Both of these flaws can be overcome by probes sent to visit the target, but this effort requires a significant time investment.
The first major space-based telescope capable of identifying exoplanetary details was the Eyes of Luna, which was superseded by the Eyes of Neptune. These arrays were significant achievements that led to a wealth of new research and information, playing vital rolls in colonization efforts. The the Argus array too has played an important role in the exploration of space near and beyond the Terragen sphere, and has itself expanded and advanced over many centuries. While the Eyes of Neptune was the largest Terragen telescope for some time, arrays of much greater size and capability are now widespread throughout less explored space where they can still be of useful service.
Propulsion Technology
The technology used to power probes has developed along with all other craft. The smaller scale inherent to exploration probes means they can utilize compact and efficient versions of the current leading propulsion technologies. Boostbeams are a commonly used method as are magbrakes to decelerate into a target system. Most craft still contain a main drive which is used for additional thrust, intra-system transportation, and power generation. In less-developed locations like the Wilds, boostbeam infrastructure is not as widespread and probes must rely entirely on their drives for rapid propulsion.Archailects also are known to utilize reactionless drive probes at some points along the Periphery, but these are not commonplace enough to outpace conversion technology.
Specialized Probes
In some cases, specialized probes are required for up-close observations of hostile astronomical phenomena such as black holes, coronal mass ejections, or the volume of space in close proximity to neutron stars. These environments often require advanced transapient technology to shield them from the extreme conditions and allow the probe to record and produce valid readings.For artificial entities, unidentified Terragen or xenosophont constructs of unknown sophistication or intent require delicate attention in order to minimize risk for all parties. Such constructs may be simple inert probes, or something far more sinister such as an installation housing an advanced AI virus. Without closer inspection it may not be possible to determine the true nature of the construct, and so specialized craft may be used to undertake this task, sometimes limited in their abilities, data, and weaponry in order to reduce the chances for collateral damage to other parties.
In similar scenarios, identified entities of known but potentially hostile intentions may also be of interest for up-close study, such as rogue neumann swarms or ahuman installations. These entities may exhibit volatile and potentially hostile behavior, and so too require specialized approaches toward contact and interaction.
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Development Notes
Text by Alex Mulvey, expanded from the original article by Todd Drashner, with comments by Steve Bowers
Initially published on 24 October 2001.
Written August 2021, posted on the site April 11, 2025
Initially published on 24 October 2001.
Written August 2021, posted on the site April 11, 2025
