Interstellar Travel

Interstellar Travel: Purpose and Motivations is a comprehensive, technical look at the necessary considerations for interstellar travel addressed by leading experts in the field, from scientists studying possible destinations (exoplanets) and the vast distances between, to those concerned with building institutions and capabilities in society that could sustain such endeavors. In addition to the technical, medical, and anthropological aspects of deep space travel, the ethics and morality of spreading Earth-based life to other worlds is also examined. In the first book of a three-book compilation, Interstellar Travel: Purpose and Motivations offers in-depth, up-to-date and realistic technical and scientific considerations in the pursuit of interstellar travel and is an integral reference for scientists, engineers, researchers and academics working on, or interested in, space development and space technologies. With a renewed interest in space exploration and development evidenced by the rise of the commercial space sector and various governments now planning to send humans back to the moon and to Mars, so also is interest in taking the next steps beyond the Solar System and to the ultimate destination – planets circling other stars. Features detailed overviews with quantification of the technical challenges and potential benefits of interstellar missions Comprehensively covers the considerations for interstellar travel by the world's recognized leading experts in the field Features referenceable data and analysis for both new and experienced researchers in the interstellar and exoplanets fields

Hypothetical Spacecraft and Interstellar Travel collects information about the latest and greatest hypothetical spacecraft.

Interstellar Travel: Propulsion, Life Support, Communications, and the Long Journey addresses the technical challenges that must be overcome to make such journeys possible. Leading experts in the fields of space propulsion, power, communication, navigation, crew selection, safety and health provide detailed information about state-of-the-art technologies and approaches for each challenge, along with possible methods based on real science and engineering. This book offers in-depth, up-to-date and realistic technical and scientific considerations in the pursuit of interstellar travel and will be an essential reference for scientists, engineers, researchers and academics working on, or interested in, space development and space technologies. With a renewed interest in space exploration and development evidenced by the rise of the commercial space sector and various governments now planning to send humans back to the moon and to Mars, there is also growing interest in taking the next steps beyond the solar system and to the ultimate destination – planets circling other stars. With the rapid growth in the number of known exoplanets, people are now asking how we might make journeys to visit them. Discusses the technical challenges that must be overcome to mount interstellar missions Features various aspects of interstellar travel by the world’s recognized leading experts in the field Provides referenceable data and analysis for both new and experienced researchers in the interstellar and deep-space exploration fields

Sci-fi novels, movies, and TV shows have provided ideas on how interstellar space travel might be accomplished, allowing humans to travel far beyond the Milky Way galaxy. Many of these ideas are being explored by scientists today. In this enlightening book, readers learn about how human interstellar travel might be accomplished and how STEM skills are being used to solve the problems involved. Human interstellar space travel raises a variety of ethical questions as well, such as who goes on this one-way trip, traveling far from home for years or even generations? This resource provides a human and technical overview of a captivating, yet contentious, topic.

Sci-fi novels, movies, and TV shows have provided ideas on how interstellar space travel might be accomplished, allowing humans to travel far beyond the Milky Way galaxy. Many of these ideas are being explored by scientists today. In this enlightening book, readers learn about how human interstellar travel might be accomplished and how STEM skills are being used to solve the problems involved. Human interstellar space travel raises a variety of ethical questions as well, such as who goes on this one-way trip, traveling far from home for years or even generations? This resource provides a human and technical overview of a captivating, yet contentious, topic.

A brief guide to the real science of interstellar travel With known exoplanets now numbering in the thousands and initiatives like 100 Year Starship and Breakthrough Starshot advancing the idea of interstellar travel, the age-old dream of venturing forth into the cosmos and perhaps even colonizing distant worlds may one day become a reality. A Traveler’s Guide to the Stars reveals how. Les Johnson takes you on a thrilling tour of the physics and technologies that may enable us to reach the stars. He discusses the latest exoplanet discoveries, promising interstellar missions on the not-so-distant horizon, and exciting new developments in space propulsion, power, robotics, communications, and more. But interstellar travel will not be easy, and it is not for the faint of heart. Johnson describes the harsh and forbidding expanse of space that awaits us, and he addresses the daunting challenges—both human and technological—that we will need to overcome in order to realize tomorrow’s possibilities. A Traveler’s Guide to the Stars is your passport to the next great frontier of human discovery, providing a rare inside look at the remarkable breakthroughs in science and technology that will help tomorrow’s space travelers chart a course for the stars.

A collection of papers presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science symposium held in Boston Feb. 15, 2002, this content considers the formidable technical issues and the social and "human" issues that will impact or be impacted by mankind's excursions to other star systems.

Among the universe's civilizations, some conceive of the journey between stars as the sailing of bright ships, and others as tunneling through the crevices of night. Some look upon their far-voyaging as a migratory imperative, and name their vessels after birds or butterflies.... At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A detailed introduction is presented to the problems of interstellar space travel. The general topics discussed include: basics of travel in space, advanced propulsion methods; relativity and interstellar travel; relativistic drives and problems; starships as systems; missions; astrogation, observation, and communication; technological requirements and hazards; biological requirements; personal, social, and political considerations; interstellar life and civilizations; long-term prospects.