Interstellar Travel: The Tecnology That Will Make It A Reality

    • dheeraj.jangra@timesgroup.com
    • Publish Date: Aug 1 2016 3:19PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Aug 1 2016 3:20PM
Interstellar Travel: The Tecnology That Will Make It A Reality

For many, the whole notion of exploring distant planets and celestial bodies might seem a case of wishful thinking. The enormous distance involved — coupled with logistical nightmares — make deep space travel seem like an impossible feat. What can power spacecraft for such long voyages? What will be the impact of such gruelling journeys on human health? How will the astronauts communicate with Earth? All these challenges do not have answers at the present. But in what could be a breakthrough, scientists and engineers are devising strategies to make space travel a possibility. Admittedly, many of these potential breakthroughs are still in their nascent stage but the resilience of scientists pursuing these goals gives us hope that one day they will see the light of day – and bring the cosmos within our reach.


Solar sails 

Hundreds of space missions have been launched in recent years. However, their reach is limited by the fuel that powers them and the amount of rocket fuel a spacecraft can carry – up to 25 per cent of the launch weight of typical planetary-exploration spacecraft. Now, NASA researchers are developing a propellant-free propulsion that — for some applications — could replace conventional chemical fuels with an inexhaustible natural resource: sunlight. Just as cloth sails harness the wind, giant reflective sheets called solar sails can harness the sun’s energy. NASA says, “The sail itself would vary in size from tens of metres up to 1,000 metres in diameter, depending on its mission destination, and typically would be shaped like a square.” As light reflects off a sail, most of its momentum is transferred, pushing on the sail. The resulting acceleration is small, but continuous. For example, a spacecraft equipped with a sail that is 400 metres wide, could travel 2.1 billion kilometres per year. At this rate it will exit our solar system in just a decade or so. Some researchers argue that a truly enormous sail — equalling the size of city — could send a spaceship to another star system in just a few centuries. But there is one condition: A space-based laser will have to shine a powerful beam on the sail as the craft moves farther and farther away from the sun. With only sunlight as power, a solar sail will never be launched directly from the ground. A second spacecraft will be needed to launch the solar sail. Or it has to be assembled in space.  

Sending hi-tech robots 

Some scientists believe that sending humans to distant celestial bodies is a tedious process, requiring huge amount of time and effort. It would be more prudent to engage robots which have already undertaken recent planetary explorations in the solar system. (The only other celestial body, besides Earth, that humans have set foot on is the Moon.) Robots have set foot on the Moon, Mars, Venus, Titan and Jupiter, as well as a few comets and asteroids. Many scientists argue that the human body is not conditioned for long space voyages – which can take years. Recently, astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and Russian billionaire Yuri Milner announced a new space exploration initiative called “Breakthrough Starshot”. The project aims for sending featherweight robotic spacecraft to our nearest star system — Alpha Centauri — at one-fifth of the speed of light. According to reports, the $100m project will use small robots — roughly the size of an iPhone — that will be powered by a light beam. These tiny 'nanocraft' will carry cameras and a built-in GPS to hunt for alien life in the Alpha Centauri star system. Technology for the mission will possibly take about two decades to develop. After that, the probes should take roughly 20 years to reach their destination — which is 25 trillion miles (4.37 light years) away.


Growing food in space

In the Ridley Scott’s movie “The Martian,” Matt Damon — after being accidentally stranded on Mars — successfully grew and ate potatoes to survive. Is it possible in the real world to produce food in space? The answer: it’s not easy, but it can be done. NASA has been experimenting with growing food in space through its pioneer space farming project called Veg-01. Recently, researchers from Wageningen University in The Netherlands announced that the vegetables and cereals they spent two years growing in ‘Martian’ soil were found to be safe for human consumption. They all agreed that fresh and nutritious food would keep cosmonauts happy in space. 


Keeping astronauts alive and healthy
for a long time

Our bodies aren’t built to withstand the hardship of interstellar travel. And even if astronauts can somehow survive the voyage, the crew will be at risk of succumbing to claustrophobia, anxiety, insomnia and depression. So what’s the way out? Fans of sci-fi movies must be familiar with the term “Stasis” or “Cyrosleep” – a form of hibernation. Scientists feel that by putting the crew into “deep sleep”, the cost and resources can be significantly cut down. The negative psychological effects of prolonged space travel could be mitigated too. To research the technology, NASA has teamed up with an Atlanta-based aerospace company that is investigating procedures for putting space crew into hibernation.


Warp speed

Ever since the sound barrier was broken, people have turned their attention to how we can break the light speed barrier.  But “Warp speed” or any other term for faster-than-light travel still remains at the level of speculation. In 1994, theoretical physicist Miguel Alcubierre published a scientific paper showing that a warp drive could be created without contradicting Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity – which would seem to indicate that faster-than-light travel is impossible. Also, last year, Professor Geraint Lewis, from the University of Sydney, said the idea of warp speed is, in theory, possible but it will take hundreds of years to accomplish. However, he pointed out that sourcing material to create such a machine might prove to be the biggest challenge.


Transmitting data in a jiffy

The success of any interstellar probe depends a lot on how effectively it communicates with its handlers on Earth. Consider this: Currently it takes approximately 16 hours and 38 minutes to receive communication from Voyager 1 – the farthest man-made object from Earth. Instant communication from an interstellar probe is necessary not just to convey findings but — if need be — to send distress signals. This will help engineers stationed at Earth to quickly take remedial measures. For that reason, NASA is funding a project called Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD). Says a spokesperson, “The mission proposes to revolutionise the way we send and receive data, video and other information, using lasers to encode and transmit data at rates 10 to 100 times faster than today's fastest radio-frequency systems, using significantly less mass and power.”

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Comments

P Daniel Raj RYAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

mind blowing!!!!!!!!

vedika kamane Other

Cool idea!!! Mainly because i want to become an astronaut when i grow up.

Himanshi Dhawan Saffron Public School

The idea is indeed amazing!!! I guess it''ll be like a dream-coming true for students like me who want to be an astrophysicist.

Vishnu Varthan J Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Informaive.

Harshil panchal RAM RATNA INTERNATIONAL- BHY

my mind was blown away when i read this

Samueal Raj Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Just amazing!

Darshan Dhabale Shantiniketan Public School , Panvel

Truly Amazing! I love Science!

dev Children''s Academy, Ashok Nagar, Kandivli East

It''s truly amazing!I wish we could go to outer space

Ronit.R National Hill View Public School

A cool idea to put astronauts to sleep during long space voyages and also the warp speed.Mind blowing stuff

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