Take me to the stars(actually just near one)

[paulolearysp]

So it's taken Voyager 1 & 2 more than two decades to get to the edge of the solar system. I've read that the Voyager missions would still have another 10,000 years to get to a nearby star.<br /><br />Are there any plans for us to send something with the intent of going to one of the nearby stars? How many years might that take? Could it be done in less than 30 years? What does current science estimate? It seems like we might end up designing a mission that our children would have to finish.

 

[tmccort]

<br />No plans as of now, but do you have a particular star in mind?<br /><br />

 

[dragon04]

We don't currently have any propulsion technology in place that would allow us to go to Alpha Centauri in centuries let alone decades. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[najab]

A large nuclear electric propulsion unit might be able to manage ~0.1C - that would mean Alpha Centauri in about 40 years.

 

[botch]

don't you mean 400?

 

[nacnud]

4 / 0.1 = 40<br />

 

[botch]

oops. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" />

 

[nacnud]

tee hee <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />

 

[chidave]

"We don't currently have any propulsion technology in place that would allow us to go to Alpha Centauri in centuries let alone decades"<br /><br />Orion, we have the technology but the risks would be too high.

 

[botch]

I see orion becoming a real prospect once we have an established space society. That way most of the construction can be done in space.<br />Another way round the radiation issue is to launch the bombs in capsules that will withstand a launch explosion and/or re-entry like the RTG's already in use.

 

[paulolearysp]

I just remember reading an old encyclopedia(from the 40's) when I was growing up that said it would take months to get to the moon. But then it didn't turn out that way. Of course some cynics might say it took 8 years to get to the moon the first few times, and 50 years to get back!<br /><br />It's really amazing how big space really is. I do wonder if there's a faster way to get there.<br /><br />

 

[dragon04]

That's why I said we don't have any technology "in place". Not that we don't have the technology. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />Unless we achieve some sudden breakthrough propulsion technology, an Orion would be our best bet for a 40 year flight to the Centauri system.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it would very likely be a one way trip for even a young crew. Barring some suspended animation technology, that is.<br /><br />Not to hijack the thread, but I'd like to see some Orions taking people to destinations within our own solar system. There's a lot to see and do right here in our own back yard. First the planets, then the stars <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>