2069 Alpha Centauri mission

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]

An artist's depiction of a solar sail.

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 will reach Alpha Centauri by the year 2113, 44 years after its launch travelling at 10% of the speed of light.[3]

See also

References
  1. Wenz, John (19 December 2017). "Exclusive: NASA has begun plans for a 2069 interstellar mission". New Scientist.
  2. Cockburn, Harry (19 December 2017). "Nasa planning 2069 mission to look for life on newly discovered Earth-like planets". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2017-12-21.
  3. Do Aliens Live at Alpha Centauri? NASA Wants to Send a Mission in 2069 to Find Out
  4. Montgomery, Edward E.; Johnson, Les (June 13–15, 2017). Solar Sail Propulsion: A Roadmap from Today's Technology to Interstellar Sailships (PDF). Foundations of Interstellar Studies Workshop. New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, NY.
  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.


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