Project Hyperion seeks concept to build first interstellar spacecraft

On November 1, the Hyperion Project announced the launch of an international competition for those wishing to contribute conceptual design proposals. Spacecraft designed for long-term space travel. Theoretically, these vehicles will be capable of accommodating crews for hundreds of years.

Registrations are open until December 15, 2024, and the best bids will be awarded a prize of US$ 10,000 (approximately R$ 57,000 at current prices).

As space exploration progresses, agencies and companies developing technology in the region are trying to understand how to make long-term human travel possible. However, current technology still cannot offer the resources required for such travels, either due to a lack of adequate equipment or challenges to human health in the space environment.

The aim of the competition is to develop concepts for the ‘Earth Ship’, also known as the ‘Generation Ship’. They are interested in this type of ships Travel interstellar to distant parts of the universe, such as exoplanets outside the Solar System.

The term ‘Generation Ship’ reflects the idea of ​​a vehicle that could accommodate crew for hundreds of years and allow them to reach extremely remote locations in the universe. For example, such a journey would allow humanity to reach regions such as Proxima Centauri b, an exoplanet just 4.2 light-years from Earth.

“Generation ships are designed to carry a crew whose primary goal is to establish an exoplanet or other celestial body in the target star system. “These also tend to be much larger than interstellar probes, but probably use similar propulsion systems, such as fusion-based propulsion,” Andreas Hein, a professor at the University of Luxembourg and a partner in the Hyperion Project, said in a message on the website. Universe Today.

Project Hyperon: space technology

In the competition, participants will be asked to create a ship concept. including crew living space and all infrastructure and systems required for long-term space travel. According to the Hyperion Project website, interested parties need to develop a vehicle project that can operate for up to 250 years.

Moreover, the ship must reach a fraction of the speed of light, while the living space must guarantee comfort for the crew’s routine. The goal is to consider a mission with a crew of 500 to a thousand people.

It is important to emphasize that the aim is to stimulate thoughts about the feasibility of such a long journey. This means that the selected proposals will not be converted into real spaceships. This is because we have not yet reached the level of technology and knowledge required to accomplish such a complex and challenging task.

“But the goal is to get people to think about how culture might be adapted to the unusual conditions I’ve described. What might change in the travel time that would require separation from Earth, separation from other human communities other than radio or video communication – which will decrease as we move further away from Earth – would require anthropologists and Project Hyperion ? member Cameron Smith said Universe Today.

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