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Rocket Scientists Use Darwinian Software to Evolve Better Spacecraft Designs

Posted May 25, 2010 1:26 PM

From Popular Science - New Technology, Science News, The Future Now:

Charles Darwin's theories of evolution have revolutionized the way mankind understands its origin. Now, engineers suggest that the process of natural selection may have surprising implications for spacecraft as well. An ion engine designed to power future spacecraft has achieved its optimal design via software that simulates Darwinian evolution.

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JohnDG
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Re: Rocket Scientists Use Darwinian Software to Evolve Better Spacecraft Designs

05/25/2010 6:53 PM

Interesting idea, but I would have thought that maximizing the total KE of the ejected ions was a more important target than the working life of the motor.

Maybe this is another example of journalistic dumbing-down, and there were a lot more factors being optimised than just the lifetime.

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