Staircase Program
The Staircase Program is a cross-agency project approved by the Planetary Defense Council and led by the Planetary Intelligence Agency (PIA): it involves sending a lightweight probe along the trajectory of the Trisolaran Fleet to maintain co-flight with the fleet. It will be humanity's first true "outreach" to touch upon the civilization four light-years away.
Mission Concept
The Trisolaran Fleet cruises at approximately 1% of the speed of light. Conventional probes, even if launched today, could not catch up to or reach the fleet. The Staircase Program adopts a reverse approach: rather than chasing in speed, wait along the trajectory—accelerate probes to higher speeds, fly along the fleet’s route, encounter the fleet in deep space, accompany it, and continuously transmit first-hand information about the fleet to humanity.
Propulsion Principles (Public Science Popularization)
- Thousands of nuclear bombs ("nuclear bomb staircase") are pre-deployed along the probe's trajectory.
- The probe carries an ultra-light radiation sail and sequentially detonates the nuclear bombs, using radiation pressure to progressively accelerate the sail.
- All technical components of this proposal are derived from established disciplines—precisely its significance during the era of technology lockdown: no reliance on any new foundational physics knowledge that has been locked down.
Payload Scheme
The total mass of the radiation sail and the detection unit is strictly limited by propulsion capabilities. Following scientific assessment and ethical review, the payload of the probe has been determined to be human brain tissue obtained through voluntary donation procedures. The identities of the volunteers are permanently kept confidential in accordance with the conclusions of the review. All conclusions of the ethical review can be found in the records of the 2nd hearing (Document Centre PDC/HEAR/02).
Current Progress
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| Deployment of Nuclear Warhead Array | 71% · Batch 18 in position |
| Development of Radiation Sail | Acceptance completed |
| Ethical Review | Approved (subject to ongoing review) |
| Launch Window | Second quarter of Year 5 of the Crisis Era (proposed) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the success rate? Official statement: The risk of complete loss of contact with the probe throughout the mission is objectively present. However, even if contact is ultimately lost, the technological advancements from the nuclear warhead array and radiation sail will remain available for humanity's subsequent plans.
- How are volunteers selected? Strictly in accordance with voluntary, informed, and unpaid donation procedures; no profit-making participation is permitted at any stage; withdrawal of consent prior to ignition remains valid.
- Why must it be a human brain? Under mass constraints, no mechanical storage can accommodate a "person." This is the most difficult and solemn decision of this plan.