2069 Alpha Centauri Mission

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Short description: NASA concept for uncrewed probe - possibly a light sail
An artist's depiction of a solar sail.

In December 2017, NASA released a mission concept involving the launch, in 2069, of an interstellar probe to search for signs of life on planets orbiting stars in and around the Alpha Centauri system.[1][2] The announcement was at the annual conference of the American Geophysical Union.[3] The mission (proposed in May 2016[4]) remains a concept, and as such, has no name or allocated funding.[5]

A preliminary mission outline suggests the use of solar sails[4] propelled by high energy lasers to increase propulsion.[4] The proposed launch would be on the 100th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.[6] The spacecraft would reach Alpha Centauri by the year 2113, 44 years after its launch travelling at 10% of the speed of light.[3]

See also

  • Astronomy:Breakthrough Starshot – Interstellar probe project, private project proposed April 2016
  • Astronomy:Starlight (interstellar probe) – UCSB study of fleet of small laser light sail interstellar probes
  • Astronomy:Project Longshot – Design for a 400 tonne nuclear pulse propelled uncrewed spacecraft to reach and orbit Alpha Centauri

References

  1. ↑ Wenz, John (19 December 2017). "Exclusive: NASA has begun plans for a 2069 interstellar mission". New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23631576-000-exclusive-nasa-has-begun-plans-for-a-2069-interstellar-mission/. 
  2. ↑ Cockburn, Harry (19 December 2017). "Nasa planning 2069 mission to look for life on newly discovered Earth-like planets". The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/nasa-planets-life-space-mission-alpha-centurai-a8119511.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Do Aliens Live at Alpha Centauri? NASA Wants to Send a Mission in 2069 to Find Out
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Montgomery, Edward E.; Johnson, Les (June 13–15, 2017). "Solar Sail Propulsion: A Roadmap from Today's Technology to Interstellar Sailships". Foundations of Interstellar Studies Workshop. New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, NY. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20170005677.pdf. 
  5. ↑ Clery, Daniel (2016). "U.S. lawmaker orders NASA to plan for trip to Alpha Centauri by 100th anniversary of moon landing". Science. doi:10.1126/science.aag0558. ISSN 0036-8075. 
  6. ↑ Fingas, Jon (December 27, 2017). "NASA hopes to send a probe to Alpha Centauri in 2069". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/27/nasa-in-early-planning-for-2069-alpha-centauri-mission/. 




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Categories: [Hypothetical spacecraft] [Proposed NASA space probes] [Interstellar travel] [Alpha Centauri]

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