it seems simple in planning to me all we need do is understand our selves.
work out a flow diagram that shows how we work ( at first with in boundries that can grow with experiement and understand of our selves compared to the abillity of machine)
and either have the technology to impliment that or the time, as given enough time i bealve its possible to make a steam engine power the universe, type thing thing
theres my 3 rules
i am talking about human emulation. If you just want it to drill holes in an alien planet same rule set slightly different criterea less time or tech needed.
My point is we aint so complex that our vanity and ignorance might indicate in our actions and measurable abillities i beleave emulation is as simple as it was to build a nuclear bomb its simple once you know how but seems impossible tell done.