A Clemens Suter Blog: “The Exploration of Planet#17824540930”

Copyright ©2017 — Clemens P. Suter

“The Exploration of Planet#17824540930”
Report #1783965825 

Author: B143-Unit#29588885959
Date: #8493003947
Main conclusions:
-Economic Impact Estimate: low: <0.1eie
-Risk Impact Estimate: low: <0.1rie
-Recommended Action: Isolate Planet
-Standard#1846637 precautions against discovery obeyed
-B143-Unit#29588885959 remained undetected

B143-Unit#29588885959 inspected Planet#17824540930 (part of Starsystem#17824540930) taking Standard#1846637 precautions. Main goal of mission was investigation of adjacent gas planets and asteroid belt for colonization suitability – see separate, more extensive Report#1783965826, including feasibility study with positive assessment). As Planet#17824540930 is not suited for long-term survival (75% of surface covered by liquid water with trace chemicals) B143-Unit#29588885959 was only able to explore Planet#17824540930 superficially.

Lifeforms and Economic Assessment

Lifeforms on Planet#17824540933 are primitive. Mostly non-autonomous, non-self-reproducing bots, evolving at a slow pace. Limited connections between individual bots; no connections to universal or extra-planetary network. A re-visit to Planet#17824540933 and integration of the bots into our network may be compelling at some later stage, based on the expectation that the bots may mature further. As mineable mineral levels on this planet are minimal (except for cerium-, europium- and neodymium-concentrations), the total economic impact of colonization is estimated to be low (0.01-0.1 range). This assessment includes: mineable minerals, value of current lifeforms, and usefulness of organics.

Organics

Planet#17824540933 abounds with organic life, of many types and sizes. This high variation could potentially meet with considerable scientific interest, but no related economic benefit could be uncovered (preliminary data). As Planet#17824540933 revolves around its axis rapidly, resulting in a high frequency of successive dark/light periods, these organics have surprisingly short replication cycles and lifespans.

At least 8,547,000 different types of organics seem to exist (initial data), and were preliminary classified. Some organics (species#0-#4,000,000) mine the light from the accompanying star (absorption of wavelength interval 560–520 nm), and employ this energy to chemically upgrade the planet’s minerals. These organics create carbon-based biomass and propagate efficiently, covering most of the planet’s surface. These types of organics do not have a locomotion apparatus, and are thus mainly immobile. Many other types of organics exist (preliminary assigned to species#4,000,000 to#8,547,000) that are parasitic, devouring the light-mining organics or other parasitic organics. This has led to a complex, well-balanced and delicate ecosystem; which appears to be evolving. Additional expeditions and more research will be needed to determine the putative evolution rate, and predict evolution outcomes. The parasitic organics come in many forms, most of which are highly mobile individuals: either swimming in the liquid that covers the planet, crawling on its surface, or flying through its atmosphere. This makes for a highly erratic environment, which requires considerable acclimation by expedition members. Future expeditions are advised to also consider the detrimental contents of the atmosphere, which are highly oxidative.

Details: Organic#6,474,444

One organics-type (preliminary categorized as #6,474,444) stands out and is therefore described below in more detail. (1) Organic#6,474,444 appears to be the sole source of life on the planet: uniquely these individuals design, create and connect the bots. These bots execute simple steps in a highly complex system that benefits Organic#6,474,444, although the exact advantages of each step in this process are not immediately transparent. They seem to assist Organic#6,474,444 in competing with other organics for resources, thus allowing Organic#6,474,444 to displaced or even terminate these organics. Thus through these bots, Organic#6,474,444 can use other organics as providers of energy and biomass. (2) Organic#6,474,444 population numbers increase at an exponential rate (preliminary data – determination of exact growth-rate and -curve will need more research). Current Organic#6,474,444 population is estimated to be 8,157,345,000 individuals (extrapolation based). Other types of organics are much more abundant, e.g. total numbers of six-legged organics (preliminary categorization: #4,300,000 to #5,300,000) are estimated to be 11,736,452,456,194,482,000, and these individuals make up most of the biomass of the land-dwelling parasites).

(3) The high increase in numbers of Organic#6,474,444 and the efficient displacement of competing organics seems indicative of a primitive-bot supported and (superficially) successful survival strategy, which positively affects the maturation of the bots and thus life. Preliminary estimates suggest that Planet#17824540930 could theoretically carry 100,000,000,000 to 500,000,000,000 Organic#6,474,444 individuals (50-fold its current numbers). Strikingly however, Organic#6,474,444 emits (and is unable to recycle) an abundance of by- and waste-products (gasses such as carbon-dioxide, other carbon-based substances) which impact the before-mentioned ecosystem. The increase in carbon-dioxide affects the climate, and these climate changes directly and indirectly impact the survival rates of ALL organics, including Organic#6,474,444 itself. Many of the produced carbon-based substances are poisonous to the organics, and ironically also to their producer Organic#6,474,444. It is therefore expected that back-feed loops will, at a timepoint not too far in the future, halt the exponential growth of the Organic#6,474,444 population. Actually, a reversal in population numbers has a high likelihood (p=0.85, +/-0.19); preliminary data). It is therefore uncertain that Organic#6,474,444 will be able to enhance the functionality of the primitive bots, and it is questionably that the bots will become an autonomously replicating life form, capable of space-travel. To complete this section, here a more detailed description of Organic#6,474,444, with some curious, yet possibly relevant features.

A fully mature Organic#6,474,444 will have an approximately cylindrical shape of 1.75 * 0.4 meters and an average mass of 70 kilograms (although individuals of up to 250 kilograms have been observed). These organics have a central corpus, from which four extremities protrude, each of equal length. Organic#6,474,444 transports itself with the help of two lower extremities, the corpus thus roughly forming an elongated cylinder at a perpendicular angle to the surface of the planet (a capricious sight, as if the corpus could topple over in an instant). Two upper extremities hang down passively along the sides of the corpus. At the very top is a pod-shaped command center, enclosed in a weak capsule. Reproductive organs are located between and at the top of the two lower extremities, and waste products and noxious biochemical gasses (see comments above) are also excreted in this area. The top extremities have thin extensions at the end, which are used for grasping and controlling objects. Strikingly, anatomical details of Organic#6,474,444 are obscured from sight by loose cloths, Organic#6,474,444 applies habitually. The purpose of these cloths are unclear: they offer little mechanical defense or protection against radiation. They could play a role in temperature regulation. Surprisingly, Organic#6,474,444 is only fully functional within a very narrow range of 310.15+/-4 degrees kelvin. Also note that Organic#6,474,444 cannot live in a vacuum and is in fact dependent on a atmosphere with a complex mix of vaporous elements. Simply put, the behavior of Organic#6,474,444 is peculiar. Whereas standing and moving (see above) seems to be important to gather food, Organic#6,474,444 can also “fold” its corpus, and will rest (for extended periods) on a posterior part (there is no immediately obvious explanation for this feature). Even more curious, for at least one third of the time the body “rests” in a completely horizontal position. During that time, corpus and command center activity is inexpertly reduced (this can also happen in the vertical or crouching position. No obvious explanation available for these observations).

Organic#6,474,444 absorbs visual and acoustic signals, putting much weight on signals from other organics of the same type. Surprisingly, no data exchange takes place by electromagnetic means, neither wireless, nor through docking stations. Thus, direct links between individuals are not possible, and communication beyond 200m is only possible through bots. Acoustic communication (range: 20-30 Hz) is executed mainly by broadcast- and receiver-apparatuses located on the surface of the command center pod. Visual signals are also of essence: a limited spectrum with wavelengths between 390 to 700 nm can be analyzed by two (!) detectors located on one side of the command center. No visual detectors are present anywhere else on the corpus. Surprising result: Organic#6,474,444 can move only in one direction. On several occasions, B143-Unit#29588885959 has witnessed how Organic#6,474,444 raised its top extremities and erratically slapped the ends against one another, creating an unpleasant sound that seems to indicate social approval. Organic#6,474,444 also uses these two extremities to bang on devices, or control other apparatuses to create more subtle sounds. The extremities are also used to explore or clean body cavities (only applies for the upper extremities). Organic#6,474,444 appears to be social, but with very rudimentary empathy levels, most likely due to the primitive communication means mentioned above. Organic#6,474,444 does act in groups, but whereas individuals may seem to have some cognitive capabilities, a group of Organic#6,474,444 behaves erratically and in many cases counterproductive or damaging to its own organic type. Overall, individuals seem highly indifferent to one another, mostly passing each other without any data exchange. Organic#6,474,444 quickly enters conflict, either as individual or as group member. These conflicts result in disablement or even termination of organics – in many cases of their own type. Organic#6,474,444 creates elaborate machinery, or even bots, specifically designed for organic termination. Some of these machines are of considerable power; nuclear fusion/fission-based, and capable to destroy large areas and most life and organics in them. Although such machinery must cause considerable individual discomfort to Organic#6,474,444, as it leads to mass migration and even subpopulation extermination, it does not directly affect the exponential growth of the Organic#6,474,444 population.

Risks assessment As preliminary experiments have shown, all organics on Planet#17824540930 are highly vulnerable to physical and chemical interference, and individuals can be terminated by simple means. This explicitly includes Organic#6,474,444. None of the organics are capable of extensive space travel: (1) only Organic#6,474,444 has developed rudimentary technology to support space travel (2) galactic radiation levels will lead to rapid termination of practically all organics (Organic#6,474,444 could be classed as being amongst the particularly susceptible).

Organic#6,474,444 has created a considerable arsenal of destructive machinery, potentially dangerous to Units and Bots. However, as the economic advantages of prospecting Planet#17824540930 are neglectable, this risk can efficiently be minimized by isolating Planet#17824540930 (Implementation of Standard#458239930). B143-Unit#29588885959 expects a decline in the numbers and capabilities of the Organic#6,474,444 soon, which will further help to contain any remaining risks.

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