Interstellar internet may be possible if we can weaponise the gravity of massive stars, say scientists

Experiencing a dead battery or losing your network connection is frustrating enough on Earth, but it would be infinitely more challenging in the inevitable event of such issues occurring in outer space, where we have become a spacefaring society. In such situations, you can't simply call a tow truck because there might not be a nearby planet.

The key solution to this futuristic problem lies in the creation of a vast interstellar network that operates around the clock. Think of it as the internet, but on an unimaginably larger scale!

Although this concept is a matter for the distant future, we are already laying the groundwork in terms of theoretical science. To achieve this remarkable feat, we are relying on knowledge that was initially developed by none other than Albert Einstein himself.

Albert Einstein's revolutionary theory of general relativity, which he proposed over a century ago to explain how gravity influences the universe, plays a crucial role in this endeavour. This theory also gave rise to the idea of gravitational lensing, a phenomenon in which the gravitational fields of massive objects can bend and amplify the light that approaches them. The iconic images of swirling rings around black holes, as seen in the movie "Interstellar," are a result of gravitational lensing.

The potential to manipulate long-range signals, such as light, is enormous, as it paves the way for transmitting information across previously unimaginable distances. Once we can reliably transmit data from one star to another using gravitational lensing, we could theoretically establish a sort of intergalactic internet, which is the focus of the researchers' latest study.

The research team proposes that by positioning a spacecraft around the focal region of a solar gravitational lens (SGL), we could, in theory, enhance the light coming from exoplanets and other faint celestial bodies and transmit this information to other star systems. One potential challenge is the degradation of data as it travels through interstellar space, but the researchers have already demonstrated that achieving a viable signal-to-noise ratio is theoretically possible.

Additionally, there is the possibility of increasing the power we receive from stars and transmitting it remotely to other celestial bodies. Space-based solar power has long been considered an ideal means of generating clean energy. With the establishment of the necessary infrastructure, we might use SGLs to transmit power from one star system to another and even deeper into the depths of interstellar space than ever before.

While there are undoubtedly many more aspects that require thorough study before turning this theory into reality, the researchers remain hopeful. After all, by ticking off the items on the long list of challenges, we can explore interstellar space and colonisation in ways we've never been able to before.