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The First Real Plan for Interstellar Exploration
Season 3
Episode 412
Published 1 week, 2 days ago
Description
A new concept proposes sending a swarm of laser-powered micro-spacecraft, known as Coracles, toward Proxima b in the Proxima Centauri system.
Accelerated to near-light speeds by Earth-based lasers, these probes would work collectively to capture high-resolution data and search for biosignatures or technological signals.
Despite major challenges in navigation and communication, light-sail technology could enable the first detailed exploration of a potentially habitable world beyond our solar system—within this century.
Thank you for listening to Bedtime Astronomy — your guide to the cosmos. New episodes on space exploration, NASA missions & the latest astronomy breakthroughs.
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Accelerated to near-light speeds by Earth-based lasers, these probes would work collectively to capture high-resolution data and search for biosignatures or technological signals.
Despite major challenges in navigation and communication, light-sail technology could enable the first detailed exploration of a potentially habitable world beyond our solar system—within this century.
Thank you for listening to Bedtime Astronomy — your guide to the cosmos. New episodes on space exploration, NASA missions & the latest astronomy breakthroughs.
This episode includes AI-generated content.