08-18-2015, 06:12 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-18-2015, 06:22 AM by stevebowers.)
The point raised by Baxter about predators is a good one. If you are trying to take entire chunks of a biosphere along with you on an interstellar trip, then to take pack predators like wolves you would need to take many, many square kilometres, which would require very large ships indeed. Any large predators or other animals with extensive ranges would need to be taken as DNA or gametes/zygotes, along with gestation technology.
If you have access to gestation technology, then you don't need a massive generation ship; a moderately small one would do, even if cryogenic tech is not available. I call this the hybrid generation ship concept- you can still have a multigeneration ship, but with only a fraction of the number of living sophonts on board. You need take no living presapients at all.
If you have access to gestation technology, then you don't need a massive generation ship; a moderately small one would do, even if cryogenic tech is not available. I call this the hybrid generation ship concept- you can still have a multigeneration ship, but with only a fraction of the number of living sophonts on board. You need take no living presapients at all.