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Note that this is an orbital test and not the actual 'launch' to alpha centauri.
by umeshunni 7y ago
Note that this is an orbital test and not the actual 'launch' to alpha centauri.
- dghughes 7y agoSeveral small spacecraft with solar sails project Breakthrough Starshot. Some solar energy will provide a push on the sails but the main push is from powerful ground-based lasers since solar energy alone isn't enough energy. At 20% speed of light (c) or about 60,000 kilometres per second it will take 20 years to get there. Then 4 years for the radio signals to get back. I may see some pictures of Alpha Centauri in my lifetime if they get this project going soon.