The First Interstellar Astronauts Will Not Be Human
Stephen Lantin,
Sophie Mendell,
Ghassan Akkad
et al.
Abstract:Our ability to explore the cosmos by direct contact has been limited to a small number of lunar and interplanetary missions. However, the NASA Starlight program points a path forward to send small, relativistic spacecraft far outside our solar system via standoff directed-energy propulsion. These miniaturized spacecraft are capable of robotic exploration but can also transport seeds and organisms, marking a profound change in our ability to both characterize and expand the reach of known life. Here we explore … Show more
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