When Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth in 1961, he unleashed a wave of awe and inspiration. His journey unlocked a new era — one where space travel moves from fiction to reality. Now, the cosmos continues to beckon. But are we ready to make the next leap for humankind?
In his short book Eureka Manifesto, tech investor Yuri Milner argues this epoch mirrors periods in history like the Renaissance. Now, humanity has a pivotal opportunity to come together and understand our place in the cosmos.
But will we step into our waiting cosmic destiny? Or will we stall on the launchpad, deferring our starfaring dreams?
Yuri Milner’s Encouragement to Explore the Universe
Milner notes the cycles of human progress, highlighting times when convergence between visionary ideas, economic resources, and technology made quantum leaps possible. Other times saw science stifled. For instance, the 15th-century, when the puritanical cult of Savonarola suppressed an embryonic enlightenment in Florence.
Could we be seeing another surge of progress in the field of space exploration? Hot on the success of the Mars rover landings, NASA is planning a crewed Red Planet mission by 2040. Private companies are joining the charge, with SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft delivering cargo and humans to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
Milner believes all this represents a fleeting window. One where we either build critical momentum that launches us into the wider Universe, or we languish, questioning why we aspired to the stars at all. He proposes seizing this rare moment to spur the next Space Age.
Expanding Our Horizons
If we hope to uncover life beyond Earth, we must lay the groundwork for centuries ahead now. This means embracing a long-term commitment to space exploration, both robots and humans extending our spheres of influence.
Venturing outward will allow us to ensure the survival and flourishing of life itself. Our exploration could spark untold new cultures in worlds we haven’t yet come across. What’s more, questing beyond the horizon could unlock our highest aspirations — those that compel us not just to survive, but to thrive as part of the wider cosmos.
Interstellar probes and starships may reveal insights as profound as landing on the Moon or mapping the human genome. As we uncover our Universe’s wonders, we can, in turn, better know ourselves.
Yuri Milner on How We Can Lay the Groundwork
To seize this moment means we must expand funding for technologies like fusion drives or gravity wave sensors that traverse interstellar gulfs. Cross-disciplinary collaboration — say between AI and interstellar astronomers — can speed breakthroughs that give us glimpses of unseen galaxies.
Milner’s Breakthrough Foundation is already playing a key role in cross-disciplinary collaboration. For example, the Foundation has teamed up with the University of Oxford to support the Breakthrough Initiative Listen in its bid to search for extraterrestrial communications.
Also, education spotlighting our cosmic evolution and our place within it is key to inspiring passionate new generations. Thanks to education, many alive today may glimpse the launch of history’s first true starship. If we’re not this lucky, the next generation could be.
Building Momentum Through the Breakthrough Prize and Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Public interest must surge to sustain exploration on the scales Milner envisions. He calls for us to both invest in science and convey its magic to the public. Prizes awarded for breakthroughs and public events unveiling scientific advances could spark dialogue and excitement.
Milner’s Breakthrough Prize and Breakthrough Junior Challenge both award prizes for such contributions. The Breakthrough Prize rewards researchers who are making scientific advances that support humanity. Meanwhile, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge rewards teenagers who create compelling, educational videos on a complex scientific topic. All prize winners receive awards at a glitzy annual gala known as the Oscars of Science.
Cultural works like books, games, and films also nurture society-wide commitment, helping funds and talent flow towards spacefaring dreams. Milner imagines an Apollo-era fervour reignited, this time towards destinations beyond Mars.
Accepting Our Invitation
Yuri Milner believes all this primes humanity to finally learn what lies beyond our world. But to truly understand life beyond the stars, we will need more than technology. We must first recognise our place in the unfolding cosmic drama.
As Carl Sagan noted, “The Universe seems neither benign nor hostile, merely indifferent.” Yet its steady unfolding offers an implicit invitation, waiting for that first spark of awareness able to receive and return the call.
In Eureka Manifesto, Milner encourages us to accept the cosmic invitation. By embracing exploration, we can announce ourselves as the Universe awakening. We can affirm the noblest parts of human character — the parts that compel us not just to survive, but to understand our place in the cosmos.
If we have the courage, something incredible awaits discovery. The stars signal, ready when we are. Destiny awaits.
About Yuri Milner
Giving Pledge signatory Milner has contributed immense funding and efforts to the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Beyond his work to further our understanding of the Universe, celebrate pioneering researchers, and inspire the next generation of scientists, he is also the co-founder of Tech For Refugees. This non-profit organisation teams up with companies with technology-centric models, enabling these businesses to provide refugee relief efforts all over the world.
