Research Questions
The Interstellar Research Centre carries out work in a broad set of areas associated with the big questions of human existence in the Universe. Although the primary interest of the centre is interstellar flight, this has to be considered in the context of a broader picture in terms of the medium in which such spacecraft must transport through across space and time. These questions have been chosen as significant questions that help to guide our thinking in terms of developments in science and anticipated discoveries which give profound insights into the nature of our universe in which the starship must exist. These questions guide the research directions and also help to facilitate the discussions in the community in terms of the background context to our solutions.
The defined questions are as follows:
Survival of the Species: What are the risks to the prosperity of human kind based on an examination of ancient history over deep time and how can we plan for existential threats to ensure long-term survival of the species?
Interstellar Travel: Can intelligent life travel to other star systems, what is permitted/prohibited by the laws of physics, how do they perform and what can be practically engineered?
Extra-terrestrial Intelligence: What is intelligence, can it manifest itself in other forms in the Universe and how can we detect it or evidence of its activities such as through technological emissions/artefacts?
Galactic Culture: What are the key elements needed to develop a sustainable, persistent, long-term, investment to make long-distance space travel viable?
Cosmic Perspective: What is the fundamental reality, is their multiple dimensions to space and time, is their a Multiverse, what is the connection between consciousness and a broader nature to reality?