Cow,
I think we read the same type of books. Or some of them.
Any (mortal) exploration would have to be populated by robots (or their tech kin) because of the sheer distance. I agree with that. But even to get the signal back, you'd have to add the time back. By then the original research scientists are dead. You would have to have families or organzations devoted to this over centuries/millineia.
If you want a series good for the tech abut this, sending messages the speed of light try the 'Gap' series by Stephen Donaldson.
Even in his book, the aliens developed an ingenious way of instant sub space communication, to bypass the humans that could send messages at just under the speed of light.
They grew two atoms exactly alike, so when on stimulus was presented on one atom, the other would react exactly at the exact time.
Interesting theory. The 'twins theory' on a intergalatic level.
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