In the near future an ancient, derelict spacecraft or space station has been discovered orbiting Barnard's Star, 6 light years from Earth.Why would Earth send a manned mission to Barnard's Star to explore the artifact -- increasing the complexity, expense, and risk of the project -- rather than probes or AI robots?(My thinking is the story wouldn't be as engaging if the main characters are robot probes, although I'm open to suggestions.)
Writer: There are several reasons why Earth might choose to send a manned mission to explore the ancient spacecraft or space station orbiting Barnard's Star instead of using probes or AI robots.
Firstly, there may be limitations to the technology available for probes or AI robots. The spacecraft or space station could be too complex or too damaged for robots to navigate and explore effectively. Human intelligence and intuition may be necessary to navigate and understand the alien technology.
Secondly, there may be a sense of urgency to the mission. Perhaps the spacecraft or space station is emitting a signal that is causing interference with Earth's communication systems or posing a threat to Earth in some other way. In this case, a manned mission may be the quickest and most effective way to address the situation.
Thirdly, there may be political or economic motivations for a manned mission. The discovery of an ancient alien artifact could have significant implications for Earth's standing in the galaxy and potentially lead to new technologies or resources. Having humans on the ground to make decisions and negotiate with potential alien civilizations could be seen as advantageous.
Lastly, as the original poster mentioned, a manned mission would make for a more engaging story. The human element could add tension, conflict, and emotional depth to the narrative. The exploration of the unknown and the potential dangers and discoveries that come with it could make for a thrilling and captivating tale.
Link to the question for reference: https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/246765/rationale-for-sending-manned-mission-to-another-star