PBS Space Time Season 2017 Episode 41 Suicide Space Robots

PBS Space Time season 2017 episode 41 explores the concept of suicide space robots, which refers to the idea of sending robots capable of self-destruction on deep space missions. The episode delves into the reasons why this approach may be necessary for certain types of missions, as well as the ethical implications of using robots in this way.

The show starts by posing the question of why we would want to send suicide space robots on deep space missions at all. The answer lies in the fact that many of the places we want to explore in our solar system and beyond are extremely hostile environments that would destroy any spacecraft or robot sent there before it could complete its mission. For example, the surface of Venus is incredibly hot and acidic, while Jupiter's moon Europa is covered in a thick layer of ice that makes it difficult to access what may lie beneath. By sending robots that are able to self-destruct, we could potentially get valuable data from these places before the robot is destroyed, instead of sending a more expensive, human-manned mission that may not even make it to the destination.

But this approach raises a number of ethical questions. For one, do we have the right to send robots on missions that will result in their destruction? If so, how do we determine which missions are worth it and which ones aren't? Additionally, what if the robot discovers something of immense value after it has already triggered its self-destruct mechanism? Should we risk losing that valuable data in order to preserve the robot? The episode explores these questions in depth, presenting arguments both for and against the use of suicide space robots.

The episode also examines the technical challenges involved in creating robots that are able to self-destruct. For one, the robot must be designed in such a way that it can both carry out its mission and destroy itself without relying on human intervention. Additionally, the self-destruction mechanism must be both reliable and predictable, so that the robot doesn't accidentally trigger its own destruction before it has fulfilled its mission.

Throughout the episode, the hosts present a variety of viewpoints on the concept of suicide space robots, including those of experts in the fields of space exploration, artificial intelligence, and ethics. The goal is to provide a comprehensive look at this controversial topic, exploring both the potential benefits and the potential drawbacks of using robots in this way.

Overall, PBS Space Time season 2017 episode 41 is a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of suicide space robots. By examining the scientific, ethical, and technical challenges involved in using robots in this way, the episode provides a nuanced and informative look at an issue that will likely become more pressing as we continue our exploration of the solar system and beyond.