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As described in the first technical design study of this possibility, the probe would be launched to a neighbouring star-system. Upon its arrival it would immediately seek out raw materials ( asteroids, moons, gas giants, etc.) to create replicas of itself. Once it had created a sufficient number of replica probes, the original probe to enter the system would go about exploring the star-system.
If a self-replicating probe only finds evidence of primitive life (such as an unstable, savage civilization) they might simply lie dormant on the moon, silently waiting for it to evolve into a stable higher civilization. After waiting quietly for several millennia, they may be activated when the emerging civilization is advanced enough to set up a lunar colony. Physicist Paul Davies of the University of Adelaide has even raised the possibility of a self-replicating probe resting on our own moon, left over from a previous visitation in our system aeons ago (like in (see below)).
Meanwhile the duplicate probes would make their way to nearby star-systems and repeat the process, creating an exponentially increasing fleet of probes.
It has been theorized that using self-replicating probes, a galaxy could be explored in as little as half a million years.
In Star Control II, the Slylandro Probe is a self-replicating probe.
The monoliths in Arthur C. Clarke/ Stanley KubrickStanley Kubrick ( July 26, 1928 March 7, 1999) was a Jewish- American film director born in The Bronx, New York City who lived most of his life in England. His films are highly acclaimed for their technical perfection and deep symbolism. As a director hes are also self-replicating probes, though the artifacts in The Sentinel, Clarke's original short story upon which 2001 was based, were not. Originally, the film began with a series of scientists explaining how probes like these would be the most efficient method of exploring outer space. Kubrick cut the opening segment from his film at the last minute, however, and these monoliths became almost mystical entities.
See also: Von Neumann machineA von Neumann machine is a model created by John von Neumann for a computing machine that uses a single storage structure to hold both the set of instructions on how to perform the computation and the data required or generated by the computation. Most mo, Space colonizationStanford torus Space colonization also called space settlement and space humanization is the hypothetical permanent autonomous ( self-sufficient) human habitation of locations outside Earth. It is a major theme in science fiction. Several design groups at, interstellar travelInterstellar space travel is unmanned or manned travel between stars, though the term usually denotes the latter. The concept of interstellar travel in starships is a staple in science fiction. There is a tremendous difference between interstellar travel