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Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface
06:14

Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface

Published on: July 30, 2020

Messaging with cost-optimized interstellar beacons.

James Benford1, Gregory Benford, Dominic Benford

  • 1Microwave Sciences, Inc. , Lafayette, California 94549, USA. jbenford@earthlink.net

Astrobiology
|July 14, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Building galactic-scale beacons for extraterrestrial communication is feasible with current technology, costing billions. Cost-optimal design balances antenna gain and radiated power for maximum detectability and efficient scaling.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology and SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence)
  • Astrophysics and Signal Transmission
  • Engineering and Cost Optimization

Background:

  • The concept of constructing galactic-scale beacons to signal extraterrestrial intelligence has been proposed.
  • Assessing the feasibility requires understanding the cost-effectiveness of such large-scale engineering projects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the optimal trade-offs in designing galactic-scale beacons based on cost.
  • To derive general relations for cost-optimal aperture and power for long-range signal detectability.

Main Methods:

  • Minimizing the cost of producing a desired power density at long range.
  • Deriving general relations for cost-optimal aperture and power, considering both linear and non-linear cost dependencies.
  • Estimating costs of pulsed transmitters using current cost parameters ($/W, $/m²).

Main Results:

  • Minimum capital cost is achieved when expenditure is equally divided between antenna gain and radiated power.
  • Galactic-scale beacons are constructible with present technology for a few billion dollars.
  • Beacon cost scales linearly with range, enabling broader coverage with increased investment.

Conclusions:

  • Galactic-scale beacons are technically and economically viable with current technology.
  • Optimal design involves balancing antenna gain and power, likely at microwave frequencies (~10 GHz).
  • Beacon cost-effectiveness allows for significant expansion in the number of stars surveyed.