Hostless GRBs as Technosignature Failures: Kardashev Thresholds and Probe Kinematics

We present a novel, unified astrobiological and physical framework proposing that a sub-class of anomalous, non-debris gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)—specifically “hostless,” “orphan,” or exceptionally clean short/long GRBs—may represent macroscopic engineering failures of advanced civilizations attempting to cross critical Kardashev thresholds. We mathematically formalize the Thermodynamic Failure Trap, illustrating that the transition from a Kardashev Type II to Type III civilizationis bounded by an exponential rise in the probability of runaway energetic catastrophes (such as antimatter containment failures, vacuum-decay experiments, or artificial micro-wormhole collapse). Furthermore, we evaluate the detectability of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) through the lens of recent astronomical discoveries, specifically analyzing the highly anomalous, Mars-skimming, Jupiter-assisting trajectory of the macroscopic interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, and comparing itsenergy-conserving kinematics against human-made passive probes like Voyager 1 and 2. We calculate the explicit capture, survival, and atmospheric destruction probabilities of passive versus active interstellar payloads, proving that the “Great Silence” is a thermodynamic consequence of scaling-induced survival bifurcation rather than a complete absence of technological life.