Project Longshot, an exercise in the Advanced Design Program for Space, had as its destination Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our own solar system. Alpha Centauri, a trinary star system, is 4.34 light years from earth. Although Project Longshot is impossible based on existing technologies, areas that require further investigation in order to make this feat possible are identified. Three areas where advances in technology are needed are propulsion, data processing for autonomous command and control functions, and reliability. Propulsion, possibly by antimatter annihilation; navigation and navigation aids; reliable hardware and instruments; artificial intelligence to eliminate the need for command telemetry; laser communication; and a reliable, compact, and lightweight power system that converts energy efficiently and reliably present major challenges. Project Longshot promises exciting advances in science and technology and new information concerning the universe.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Project Longshot: A mission to Alpha Centauri


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1989-01-01


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Project Longshot: A Mission to alpha Centauri

    C. West / S. Chamberlain / N. Pagan et al. | NTIS | 1989


    Project Longshot

    NTRS | 1988


    Project Longshot

    West, J. Curtis / Chamberlain, Sally A. / Stevens, Robert et al. | NTRS | 1989


    Propulsion tradeoffs for a mission to Alpha Centauri

    Derosa, Luca | Online Contents | 2007


    Propulsion tradeoffs for a mission to Alpha Centauri

    Derosa, Luca / Maccone, Claudio | Elsevier | 2006