Interstellar Small Satellites
- Paper number
IAC-14,D4,4,9,x26941
- Author
Mr. James Harpur, Initiative for Interstellar Studies, Ireland
- Year
2014
- Abstract
Throughout history, each invention that has furthered man’s ability to travel and progress was once seen as impossible until it was proven. In our current society, travelling to the stars is now a task that is deemed impossible by most. On behalf of the interstellar organization I4IS, this paper aims to show how small satellites can be the way forward for proving interstellar travel to be possible. Since the evolution of satellite standardisation, small satellites have been at the forefront of low cost access to space. This provides an opportunity for many people to design interplanetary missions for a much lower cost and complexity. This paper aims to take it one step further aiming towards going to the stars. The mission proposed in this paper has the following requirements; to reach a nearby star in less than a hundred years, to have a payload of less than a 100 kg, to use technology that is currently available or will be available within the next 20 years, and to transmit back some form of scientific data successfully.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-14,D4,4,9,x26941.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.