The idea of self replicating probes is simple – a single probe is constructed and dispatched to a nearby star system. It surveys the system in an intelligent and exhaustive manner, using a high powered laser, which may later serve as a relay, it conveys the results of its survey back to near Earth space, finally using the energy and available raw materials of the system the probe reproduces itself and dispatches its children onwards to repeat its mission in other stellar systems. It may remain, or move out of the system depending on what it found.