The farside location also blocked electromagnetic radiation from Earth,
allowing better reception for radio telescopes.

A 16 kilometer rail gun was constructed along with Moonbase Beta.
It was used to launch probes to the nearest 25 star systems.
The rail gun allowed these probes to be launched at near lightspeed.
Bussard electrostatic ramscoops, collecting hydrogen for fuel, were used to decelerate the probes.

Most of the probes found nothing of particular interest, except the probe sent to Barnard's Star.

The Barnard's Star probe recorded and transmitted images of an alien spaceship moving towards it, then moving away.
The probe's artificial intellegence recognized the importance of the ship and turned to follow it.

The probe's course change turned it towards an asteroid.
The last transmission from the probe was of the asteriod getting rapidly nearer.

Construction on an interstellar vessel began immediately.

The Beagleprise was launched from the farside railgun five years later. It couldn't bring the Beagleprise to near lightspeed without crushing the crew, but did provide 5 G acceleration.

Supply pods were launched after the Beagleprise containing fuel, water, food and other supplies, at velocities calculated to rendezvous with Beagleprise as it accelerated and then decelerated on the trip to Barnard's Star.

Fuel from the supply pods, along with the electrostatic ramscoop, allowed for constant 1 G acceleration and deceleration on the trip.