
The laser used operates at 532 nm and is modulated in a similar way to the light in a fibre optic cable, except that the power is a million times greater. The digitised genome of a supporter is switched to the laser beam uncompressed in the FASTA data format with a size of approx. 3.2 GB. The pure transmission process takes approx. 20 minutes and is visible from afar, depending on the current state of the atmosphere. The target of the laser is the meeting point with a selected star and its exoplanets. As all star systems have their own motion, Gaia data (ESA) is used to calculate the position at which the laser can hit the system. Depending on the selected target system, the arrival of the signal is a few to hundreds of years in the future. Due to the long propagation time of the laser, its beam expands in a cone shape, which on the one hand leads to a sharp drop in power per area.However, the light signal should be detectable in the entire targeted star system. A significant part of the laser signal therefore continues to travel after the rendezvous, as a glowing whisper of a past life through the eternal darkness of space. As proof of successful transmission, each customer receives a time-compressed video recording (timelapse) documenting the firing of the laser pulse. In this video, a 20-minute launch will result in the laser moving 5 degrees across the night sky. This is necessary to equalise the targeted coordinates against the Earth's rotation. The video is legally available for free and can be used for any purpose.
