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![Extinction rate since the Cambrium. Note the apparent periodicity; it stirred up a lot of attention in the 1980s [20], however, up to now a systematic periodic cause of extinction events has not been confirmed. Data from [21].](profile/M-Elwenspoek/publication/50924693/figure/fig2/AS:305837076697103@1449928649846/Extinction-rate-since-the-Cambrium-Note-the-apparent-periodicity-it-stirred-up-a-lot-of.png)
Extinction rate since the Cambrium. Note the apparent periodicity; it stirred up a lot of attention in the 1980s [20], however, up to now a systematic periodic cause of extinction events has not been confirmed. Data from [21].
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![Figure 4. Lifetime distribution of families. Data from [43].](profile/M-Elwenspoek/publication/50924693/figure/fig4/AS:305837076697105@1449928649937/Lifetime-distribution-of-families-Data-from-43_Q320.jpg)
Dynamic processes relevant for long-time storage of information about human kind are discussed, ranging from biological and geological processes to the lifecycle of stars and the expansion of the universe. Major results are that life will end ultimately and the remaining time that the earth is habitable for complex life is about half a billion year...
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... large proportion of species vanished. The disappearance of species occurred in a short time scale in terms of geological time. Figure 2 shows the extinction rate since the Cambrium. Of the five major events, the most prominent event was at the end of the Perm, about 252 million years ago. There are several mechanisms known that may lead to relatively sudden mass extinction. These are climate change, volcanic eruption, meteorite impact and nearby supernovae. To begin with the last of these, there are indications that in the very early history of the planet a supernova occurred close enough to earth [22] which would have caused massive damage to life if it was formed by then. The sun was formed in an open cluster [22] together with a large number of other stars. Today we can see similar processes in the galaxy; most well known may be the star formation region in the Orion nebula [23]. Typically stars of a wide range of masses are formed. The larger the mass the shorter the star lives, and the end of massive stars is in the form of a super nova if its mass is large enough (in the order of 10 times the mass of our sun). This cluster may have contained as many as 3,500 stars. By now it has dispersed due to tidal forces caused by the galaxy. Evidence exists for nearby supernovae in the (geologically) recent past [24]. One, the radiation of which reached us two million years ago, might have triggered an extinction event in marine life by damaging the protecting ozone layer. In general, we might state that the chance of a supernova explosion close enough to earth to extinguish life on a very large scale is rather small. The earth, on its way through the galaxy is unlikely to encounter an active star-forming region. Where there are older stars, no supernovae occur because only very massive, and therefore short lived, stars can turn into ...
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Although satellite observations have revealed some mysteries about the origin and location of cosmic rays
at low energies, questions remain to be resolved in higher energy ranges (>1 GeV). However, the flow of
particles at high energies is very low, large sensitive areas are necessary, so that the detection of secondary
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Citations
... The project is interested in all aspects of storage including content, system, technology, material of the data carrier, protection of the storage media and coding (Human Document Project, 2014). Although mostly terrestrially-based, researchers have considered storage in space (Elwenspoek, 2011). Unlike the Rosetta Project and Lunar Mission One, the Human Document Project is neither using a specific storage technology nor has it established a specific location in space for storage. ...
Recent advances in data storage technologies, such as optical storage and DNA storage, allow data storage for timescales of millions to billions of years. Alongside these developments, initiatives such as Lunar Mission One, the Long Now Foundation and the Human Document Project have promoted the long-term storage of data in order to foster public engagement and to preserve important data for future generations. However, proper concepts for long-term data storage in space are currently missing which match to the needs of stakeholders via the newly available technology. This paper explores the rationales for data storage over millions to billions of years in space and develops three ‘time capsule’ concepts addressing specific stakeholder needs. First, existing stakeholders are identified and categorized with respect to their motivation. Stakeholder needs are interpreted from statements of motivation. As key motivations, “encouraging global public engagement”, “moving humanity toward becoming a dual-planet species”, “embracing and constraining the information age”, and “allowing storage of information for a very long time” are identified. These needs are then arranged hierarchically for each stakeholder and the most prevalent needs are selected. Metrics are then assigned to each need. One or more storage technologies and storage locations are recommended for each case study. A key technology for storage durations of millions to billions of years seems to be digital DNA storage. Future work aims at developing more detailed storage concepts along with the interactions with the space system into which it is going to be integrated.
... As such, securely storing large amounts of information over even the relatively short timescale of 100 yearscomparable to the human memory span-is a challenging problem. 1 Conventional optical-data-storage technology of the type employed in CDs and DVDs has reached capacities of hundreds of gigabits per square inch. However, the lifetime of this media is limited to a decade as a result of unavoidable degradation suffered by the data layer. ...
Securely storing large amounts of information over relatively short timescales of 100 years, comparable to the span of the human memory, is a challenging problem. Conventional optical data storage technology used in CDs and DVDs has reached capacities of hundreds of gigabits per square inch, but its lifetime is limited to a decade. DNA based data storage can hold hundreds of terabytes per gram, but the durability is limited. The major challenge is the lack of appropriate combination of storage technology and medium possessing the advantages of both high capacity and long lifetime. The recording and retrieval of the digital data with a nearly unlimited lifetime was implemented by femtosecond laser nanostructuring of fused quartz. The storage allows unprecedented properties including hundreds of terabytes per disc data capacity, thermal stability up to 1000 °C, and virtually unlimited lifetime at room temperature opening a new era of eternal data archiving.
... As such, securely storing large amounts of information over even the relatively short timescale of 100 yearscomparable to the human memory span-is a challenging problem. 1 Conventional optical-data-storage technology of the type employed in CDs and DVDs has reached capacities of hundreds of gigabits per square inch. However, the lifetime of this media is limited to a decade as a result of unavoidable degradation suffered by the data layer. ...
Securely storing large amounts of information over relatively short timescales of 100 years, comparable to the span of the human memory, is a challenging problem. Conventional optical data storage technology used in CDs and DVDs has reached capacities of hundreds of gigabits per square inch, but its lifetime is limited to a decade. DNA based data storage can hold hundreds of terabytes per gram, but the durability is limited. The major challenge is the lack of appropriate combination of storage technology and medium possessing the advantages of both high capacity and long lifetime. The recording and retrieval of the digital data with a nearly unlimited lifetime was implemented by femtosecond laser nanostructuring of fused quartz. The storage allows unprecedented properties including hundreds of terabytes per disc data capacity, thermal stability up to 1000 °C, and virtually unlimited lifetime at room temperature opening a new era of eternal data archiving.
... The project in interested in all aspects of storage including content, system, technology, material of the data carrier, protection of the storage media and coding (Human Document Project, 2014). Although mostly terrestrially-based, researchers have considered storage in space (Elwenspoek, 2011). ...
This paper explores the rationales for an eternal memory concept for space. The paper also develops three eternal memory concepts for space. Eternal memory is information encoded in some medium and capable of surviving in storage for a very long time. Historical development drivers for data storage are storage density and processing speed, while longevity of data has been limited to decades. Recent advances in storage technologies, such as optical storage and DNA storage, allow data storage for timescales of millions to billions of years. Eternal memory concepts for space are of interest to initiatives such as Lunar Mission One, the Long Now Foundation and the Human Document Project. The recent technological advances and the focused initiative of these projects produces a gap for the development of eternal memory concepts for space. This paper uses product development methodology to develop three eternal memory concepts for space. The study first identifies potential stakeholders, such as Lunar Mission One, the Long Now Foundation and the Human Document Project, and categorizes stakeholders by motivation. Stakeholder needs are interpreted from statements of motivation. Stakeholders want an eternal memory concept to encourage global public engagement, to move humanity toward becoming a dual-planet species, to embrace and constrain the information age, and to allow storage of information for a very long time. These needs are arranged hierarchically for each stakeholder and the most prevalent needs are selected. Metrics are then assigned to each need. A suggested storage technology and storage location are recommended for each case study. Each storage concept attempts to add value to stakeholders, addressing financial, scientific, technological, and socio-cultural needs.
... From paintings found in caves as shown in figure 1 to pieces currently on Musea are filled with art and most of the music and movies today are accessible through the internet, but for how long? At some point humanity as we know it will cease to exist [1] and slowly all our achievements will disappear. Given sufficient time, all memory of humanity will be erased. ...
... In order to store information for very long timescales, a medium is required which will survive for at least this period and still contain discernible data. We believe that the relevant storage time should be at least 1 million years and at most 1 billion years [1]. ...
... This condition is most likely met. Other causes of data loss, such as theft, meteor impact or the sun entering the red giant phase [1] cannot be revealed by accelerated ageing (fortunately). ...
Current digital data storage systems are able to store huge amounts of data.
Even though the data density of digital information storage has increased
tremendously over the last few decades, the data longevity is limited to only a
few decades. If we want to preserve anything about the human race which can
outlast the human race itself, we require a data storage medium designed to
last for 1 million to 1 billion years. In this paper a medium is investigated
consisting of tungsten encapsulated by siliconnitride which, according to
elevated temperature tests, will last for well over the suggested time.
Information storage by ultrafast laser nanostructuring in glass could ensure all we learned will not be forgotten. Extreme durability and high capacity of Quartz Glass Memory Crystals may be the solution to store huge amounts of information/data to support long term and deep space missions.
The eclectic range of artefacts and ‘messages’ we dispatch into the vast expanse of space may become one of the most enduring remnants of our present civilization, but how does his protracted legacy adequately document the plurality of societal values and common, cultural heritage on our heterogeneous world? For decades now, this rendition of the egalitarian principle has been explored by the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence community in order to draft theoretical responses to ‘who speaks for Earth?’ for hypothetical extra-terrestrial communication strategies. However, besides the moral, ethical and democratic advancements made by this particular enterprise, there remains little practical exemplars of implementing this garnered knowledge into other experimental elements that could function as mutual emissaries of Earth; physical artefacts that could provide accessible details about our present world for future archaeological observations by our space-faring progeny, potential visiting extrasolar denizens or even for posterity. While some initiatives have been founded to investigate this enduring dilemma of humanity over the last half-century, there are very few comparative studies in regards to how these objects, time capsules and transmission events collectively disseminate content about the aggregate of our species and the Earth system it inhabits. This catalogue, assembled for extended study as part of the Beyond the Earth foundation , is intended as an initial, dialogic step towards evaluating such a ‘profile of humanity’. This investigation will endeavour to collate all cultural resources that can presently be garnered from spacecraft (non-mission orientated, cultural material that conveys an impression of Earth) and non-terrestrial transmissions (electromagnetic signals that are intentionally aimed off-world to embody humanities’ evolving, philosophical identity) in the expanse beyond our planetary borders in order to cross-analyse how we presently illustrate the diversity of our planet before, subsequently, deducing how we could appropriately depict our collective human civilization [and biosphere] within deep space and cosmic time.
