> Where the wait equation has relevance is the fact that a generation ship, once launched, is likely unable to reconfigure itself to take advantage of new technologies invented while it is underway.
Given my experience with complex technology (software), I think it's rather likely that a generation ship will reconfigure while traveling.
Maybe we will build a ship that's just enough to bring them to a place with lots of resources. Then, it will be rebuild with those resources for the final journey. Or even new ships might be build out of existing ones to adapt for varying conditions.
Similar to biological life on earth.