{"id":787,"date":"2026-06-06T11:26:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T11:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/?p=787"},"modified":"2026-06-06T11:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T11:30:51","slug":"a-plan-of-operations-for-a-von-neumann-bracewell-probe-part-2-emissary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/2026\/06\/06\/a-plan-of-operations-for-a-von-neumann-bracewell-probe-part-2-emissary\/","title":{"rendered":"A Plan of Operations for a Von Neumann &#8211; Bracewell Probe (Part 2: Emissary)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Consider the case that a VN-B Probe has determined from preflight observations that the target system falls under Cases 4, 5, or 6 and involves contact with known technological ETI<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Mission Operations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Preflight (Continued)<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Continue observing the ETI in order to<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gather data relevant to maximising the possibility of successful communication<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Determine threat potentials to humanity, the ETI, and the probe<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Send a signal to the ETI when it is determined that<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Observation has gathered adequate data relevant to maximising the possibility of successful communication, and<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The threat potentials are acceptable<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Via the signal<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Reveal to the ETI the existence of a signalling intelligence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Inform the ETI that the signalling intelligence is aware of their existence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Establish a language of communication<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Seek permission for the despatch of an emissary probe<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Outline the communicative and collaborative intentions of the mission<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Give notice of the resource exploitation requirements of the emissary<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Require that physical isolation be maintained<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Propose an arrival procedure<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Indicate that the probe will be despatched if no response refusing same is received by a certain time.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Give relevant ETAs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Await a response<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If invited (and the conditions are agreed to,) or if there is no response, prepare and send a probe to follow the nominated arrival procedures<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If refused (or the conditions are not agreed to,) or if there are contradictory responses, do not send a probe<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Continue sending and receiving messages<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In the case of a refusal or contradictory responses, continue to request an invitation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Notes <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The procedural delay in sending the probe to the target system is justified by the importance of ensuring successful establishment of relations with an advanced (spacefaring) ETI.<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Long distance observation of the target ETI may need to continue for several years before the conditions are met for a signal to be sent<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Even if the ETI is at 5cy distance, a reply may take longer than 10 years. Time is required for the ETI to interpret the signal, decide on their answer, and construct the signalling device required to transmit the answer.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Failure to respond is an anomalous condition. It may mean that<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The signal was not detected<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Very unlikely for Case 5 or 6 ETI<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The ETI could not properly interpret the signal<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unlikely, given that the signal will be designed to be interpreted by any reasonably intelligent and interested receiver<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">No decision could be reached by the ETI<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Although given that no response will result in the probe being despatched, it is likely that some response \u2013 even if only a \u2018Please hold\u2019 \u2013 would be forthcoming<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">No capacity to send a signal could be developed<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Very unlikely, given the level of technology required for Case 5 or 6<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The society\/civilisation of the ETI has been disrupted<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This should have other observable effects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Receiving contradictory responses indicates no consensus amongst the ETI.<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Disregarding the faction that refuses would constitute active interference in ETI affairs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Deferring the invitation and not sending a probe merely preserves the status quo and allows a consensus to develop<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Volunteering information concerning ETA and Arrival Procedures makes the probe more vulnerable to unwelcome actions taken by a hostile ETI<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The suggested arrival procedure is designed<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">to ensure the security of the probe from hostile actions by the ETI even under conditions of full information<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">to demonstrate that the probe is not an obvious direct threat<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It will be apparent to the ETI that this is the intention of the Arrival Procedures<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This behaviour will demonstrate that the probe is serious about preserving its independence and integrity<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The ETI will be aware as well that their behaviour is being monitored and evaluated and reported to the probe\u2019s origin. This <em>should<\/em> moderate any tendency to aggression<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For fear of what the response from the probe\u2019s origin might be<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In hope of establishing a productive ongoing relationship with obvious potential to benefit the ETI<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Arrival<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Assume an initial station far outside the system<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Far from any larger bodies identified in the pre-flight observations that are likely to attract ET activity<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Off the plane of the system<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Conduct scans<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To determine ETI compliance with security requests<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To revise the case assignment of the system<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To locate outer system resources<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">ETI have violated the arrival procedures agreement in a way that seems intended to exploit probe vulnerabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are other indications that ETI will exploit probe vulnerabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Depart the system immediately<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Initiate contact<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">ETI indicate they will exploit probe vulnerabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">ETI indicate that the probe\u2019s presence is unwelcome<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Depart the system immediately<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Proceed towards the most convenient site at which to establish a construction facility as far from the star as practicable.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Notes <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The details of these procedures are sensitive to the specifics of the probe\u2019s propulsion system.<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The ability to immediately depart from the system requires special preparations at the pre-flight stage \u2013 perhaps to include modifications to the transit form of the probe to include an escape system, or coordination with an associated independent vehicle bringing an escape system, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An alternative is to have a fly-through vehicle precede the probe\u2019s full deceleration into the system to conduct the necessary reconnaissance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The location of the initial station is intended to make the probe inaccessible to the ETI. Given the size of the relevant space, it is impossible for the probe to be intercepted by an ETI at the reasonably expected state of advancement \u2013 even given the observation of the probe throughout its deceleration phase<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Where the ETI has responded and has made suggestions that would not violate the <strong>Part 1: Lurker<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0<strong>Mission Constraints<\/strong> adopt them as a matter of courtesy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Establishment of Primary Infrastructure<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Follow <strong>Part 1: Lurker<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0<strong>Mission Operations<\/strong>\/<u>Establishment of Primary Infrastructure<\/u><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Offer to locate monitoring devices constructed and operated by the ETI at any point in the system.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Notes <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These operations were approved through the <u>Preflight<\/u> communications.<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Construction and deployment of in-system probes is optional; <em>possibly<\/em> dependent upon gaining the consent of the ETI<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The monitoring devices and their maximal independence of the probe are intended to assure the ETI that nothing being done by the probe or its agents poses a threat to the ETI.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Spawning<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Follow <strong>Part 1: Lurker<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0<strong>Mission Operations<\/strong>\/<u>Spawning<\/u><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Notes <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These operations were also approved through the <u>Preflight<\/u> communications.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><u>Main Probe Operations<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Continue communications with ETI<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Continue reports to parent probe (and eventually to the Origin point)<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Requests and updates are continually received from all probe ancestors and cousins<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">At the point that adequate trust and a <em>modus vivendi<\/em> has been established the probe may remove from the outer system and position itself more conveniently for communication with the ETI<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Notes <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is expected at that final point that the ETI will appreciate the fact that an unmolested probe poses no threat and gives them quick and convenient access to an interstellar culture.<\/span>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All the more so if the probes join to other probe networks derived from other origins.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Consider the case that a VN-B Probe has determined from preflight observations that the target system falls under Cases 4, 5, or 6 and involves contact with known technological ETI Mission Operations Preflight (Continued) Continue observing the ETI in order to Gather data relevant to maximising the possibility of successful communication Determine threat potentials to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-interstellar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=787"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":790,"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787\/revisions\/790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevewatson.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}