2069 Alpha Centauri mission

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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The Alpha Centauri system

Stars|

* Rigil Kentaurus (A)
* Toliman (B)
* Proxima Centauri (C)

Planets|

* Alpha Centauri Bb†
* Alpha Centauri Bc
* Proxima Centauri b
* Proxima Centauri c

Proposed missions concepts|

* 2069 Alpha Centauri mission
* AIMStar
* Breakthrough Starshot
* Project Longshot
* Starlight

* Category

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