Ultra-long space missions: In search of the next habitable planet

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 8, 2021

The quest to explore Alpha Centauri, our nearest planetary system, has led to advancements in space technology, bringing us closer to interstellar travel within a human lifetime. Innovations like laser-propelled nanocrafts could not only accelerate our exploration of the universe but also open up new opportunities for scientific research and technological innovation. However, as we venture further into space, we need to also consider the wider implications, from potential resource discoveries to environmental challenges and the need for international cooperation on space governance.

Context for ultra-long space missions 

Alpha Centauri, a planetary system that is the closest to our own, has long been a subject of interest for scientists and space enthusiasts. This system, located approximately 4.37 light-years away from Earth, is believed to potentially harbor conditions suitable for life. This distance translates to a staggering 25 trillion miles, a journey that, with current technology, would take us thousands of years. However, recent advancements in space exploration technology have brought us closer to the possibility of reaching this distant system within a human lifetime.

In 2015, US-based cosmologist Philip Lubin proposed a powerful 100-gigawatt laser to propel a nanocraft, a spacecraft that weighs only a few grams, from Earth at about 20 percent of the speed of light. This concept, known as laser propulsion, leverages the momentum of photons, the particles of light, to push the nanocraft forward. This proposal opened up new possibilities for interstellar travel, potentially reducing the travel time to Alpha Centauri from thousands of years to just a few decades.

Then, in 2021, a team of scientists from the Australian National University took this concept a step further. They released a design for a propulsion system that could potentially send a nanocraft to Alpha Centauri in just 20 years. This design involves a group of approximately 100 million high-powered lasers set up over an area of one square kilometer. These lasers would simultaneously light up for 10 minutes, providing the thrust needed to propel the nanocraft into space. 

Disruptive impact

The nanocraft, equipped with a light sail and a compact chip with everything from cameras to thrusters to communication equipment, would serve as an unmanned probe, capable of reaching and studying neighboring solar systems. This feature would not only expand our understanding of the universe but also open up new opportunities for scientific research and technological innovation. For example, companies could leverage the data collected by these probes to develop new materials, technologies, or even industries, based on the unique conditions and resources found in these distant planetary systems.

Moreover, the success of this technology could significantly accelerate exploration within our own solar system. For example, nanocraft probes could someday reach Mars in just three days. This achievement would greatly enhance our ability to study and understand our neighboring planets, potentially leading to breakthroughs in astrobiology, geology, and climate science. Governments could use this information to formulate policies related to space exploration and colonization, while educational institutions could incorporate these findings into their curricula, inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers.

Finally, the potential for interstellar missions to provide valuable information about other planetary systems and their capacity to support human life cannot be overstated. As we face increasing challenges on Earth, from climate change to resource depletion, the need for alternative habitats becomes more pressing. While the idea of evacuating Earth may still be in the realm of science fiction, finding other habitable planets is slowly becoming a necessity.

Implications of ultra-long space missions

Wider implications of ultra-long space missions may include:

• Astronauts being trained or prepared for longer missions, including long-term exposure to space.


• The advancement of laser technology for use in propulsion systems. Multifunctional nanotechnology may also be further refined to be smaller and more versatile.


• The accelerated exploration of every planet and moon in our solar system using nanocraft probes.


• The development of new industries related to space exploration, such as manufacturing of nanocrafts or laser propulsion systems, leading to economic growth and job creation.


• The potential discovery of new resources in other planetary systems addressing resource scarcity on Earth, leading to more sustainable consumption and production patterns.


• The possibility of finding habitable planets stimulating political discussions and international cooperation on space colonization and the shared governance of extraterrestrial territories.


• The advancements in technology required for ultra-long space missions having spillover effects into other sectors, leading to innovations that improve the quality of life on Earth.


• The increased demand for resources to support space exploration worsening environmental degradation unless mitigated by sustainable practices.


• Increased space debris as more companies and governments launch their experiments to space.

Questions to consider

• Do you think it’s worthwhile to develop technology that would allow us to explore other solar systems? 


• Do you think the current space race between corporations and countries is helping the development of space exploration?