Footnote 6 Hence, I focus on the normative question: should we do so if we could do so? In section 2, I outline what I call the favourable case, according to which spreading life Footnote 7 to other solar systems would be an extremely good thing and, therefore, something humanity should strive for. various microorganisms and even plant seeds). So, we ought to reflect about the ethics of directed panspermia now rather than later.įor simplicity, I will assume that, in this century, humanity could develop the capability to seed lifeless exoplanets with simple life forms (i.e. In other words, directed panspermia has two practical benefits: it can be carried out autonomously with unmanned probes over long time scales and, consequently, is relatively cheap.

Moreover, the technology for directed panspermia could be viable before large-scale space settlement projects planetary seeding does not have to deal with the difficulties of maintaining human life in hostile space environments. Yet we must also discuss planetary seeding because, in addition to these general questions, it raises unique questions. Footnote 5 Similar questions are relevant to directed panspermia. One of the field's central debates concerns the ethical dimensions of colonising space, in particular the future of humanity, planetary protection and our moral constraints beyond Earth. Technological progress in space requires ethical reflection which the emergent field of space ethics provides. Space agencies are actively discussing plans to settle the Moon and Mars soon humans will crew missions to Mars, and recently two billionaires visited space with their own spacecrafts. Similarly, the foreseeable possibility of directed panspermia demonstrates that, as humanity's ability to operate in outer space increases, we will face more ethical questions about space.

Genetically modified plants, autonomous vehicles, cloning and facial recognition are just a few examples of novel technologies that raise ethical questions for philosophers. Technological progress often results in new ethical questions and challenges.

Footnote 4 Thus, we soon could attempt to seed exoplanets with life. The technology for launching a nanocraft to a nearby star is currently being developed for scientific purposes and the first interstellar flight could possibly be carried out within the next generation. Footnote 3 After deceleration, the lifeless planet could be seeded with microbes carried by the probe. Footnote 2 Once at the target, the interstellar probe could be decelerated using magnetic or electric sails. In practice, robotic interstellar life-seeding missions could be carried out by accelerating lightweight space probes with light sails to high speeds using a phased array of lasers. Footnote 1 Directed panspermia, or planetary seeding, is the deliberate transmission of microorganisms to a lifeless planet with the aim of seeding it with life. Advances in interstellar probe technology, biotechnology and the study of exoplanets have made it possible to discuss interstellar directed panspermia in a more serious tone.

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