Project Icarus: Mechanisms for enhancing the stability of gravitationally lensed interstellar communications
- Paper number
IAC-10.D4.2.4
- Author
Mr. Pat Galea, Project Icarus, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Robert Swinney, Project Icarus, United Kingdom
- Year
2010
- Abstract
It is theoretically possible for a craft to use the Sun as a gravitational lens to increase receiver gain along the line joining the craft and the center of the Sun out to infinity. This could be used to assist in the reception of signals from a probe at another star. However, it is necessary to hold the receiver craft in line with an extremely high degree of accuracy. We consider various mechanisms for assisting the receiver craft to maintain a tight lock on the signal, including the use of multiple antennas on the distant probe and the receiving craft. We suggest an interstellar precursor mission that would enable these mechanisms to be tested. This is a submission of the Project Icarus Study Group.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-10.D4.2.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.