New Project Plans To Send A Spacecraft To Alpha Centauri In 20 Years

mapuc · 04-12-16, 02:23 PM

http://www.iflscience.com/space/step...tauri-20-years

Quote:

A new project has been announced that will attempt to launch a small spacecraft to our nearest stellar neighbor, Alpha Centauri, and return images and data to Earth within a generation

This is what we need, some pioneers that takes the first step to show other that it is or can be possible

Markus

Oberon · 04-12-16, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prokhor Zakharov

The popular stereotype of the researcher is that of a skeptic and a pessimist. Nothing could be further from the truth! Scientists must be optimists at heart, in order to block out the incessant chorus of those who say "It cannot be done."

Reece · 04-12-16, 06:34 PM

This wont effect me in any way!

04-12-16, 06:39 PM

I've been playing too much Elite: Dangerous - my first thought was 'Alpha Centauri? That won't take long...'

Sailor Steve · 04-12-16, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reece

This wont effect me in any way!

Probably won't affect me either, but if I am around when they launch it I'll spend ever single one of my remaining days asking "Are we there yet?"

Torplexed · 04-12-16, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Can't believe I still have that game in the closet along with the tech charts and strategy manual. I wonder if I could get it to run on Win 7?

Oberon · 04-12-16, 09:49 PM

When (ha) we finally move, and I find out which box I put my copy in, I'll try and let you know.

Dowly · 04-13-16, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Can't believe I still have that game in the closet along with the tech charts and strategy manual. I wonder if I could get it to run on Win 7?

You can buy it for $5,99 from GoG.com, their version should work fine on newer systems.
https://www.gog.com/game/sid_meiers_alpha_centauri

Eichhörnchen · 04-13-16, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyJWest

I've been playing too much Elite: Dangerous - my first thought was 'Alpha Centauri? That won't take long...'

They said it'll only be a very small spaceship, so who's going to steer it?

"Start the car..."

Diopos · 04-13-16, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

They said it'll only be a very small spaceship, so who's going to steer it?
...

... Hope???

.

Betonov · 04-13-16, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

They said it'll only be a very small spaceship, so who's going to steer it?

Newton

Commander Wallace · 04-13-16, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

They said it'll only be a very small spaceship, so who's going to steer it?

"Start the car..."

The Robinson family or robot on the new, Jupiter 2.

Jimbuna · 04-13-16, 08:01 AM

To infinity and beyond.

Rockin Robbins · 04-13-16, 08:41 AM

I think a simple calculation will show that if you could get the craft to Alpha Centauri you would never be able to learn that it arrived. You'll never generate the power for a receivable signal from a small circuit board. If you could generate 1 watt that would be amazing. However our most dense storage devices, Lithium based batteries are good for 3 years before they quickly degrade to uselessness. If you build a craft so small you would only have enough space for about a 300mAh battery. At a 10C discharge, that's 3 amps for 6 minutes then kaput. And that's if it would retain 100% of its capacity, which it wouldn't.

I may be optimistic. The camera might take up the space that I figured for the battery. I bet this thing would have a 30% chance of detection from the moon.

Onkel Neal · 04-13-16, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

When (ha) we finally move, and I find out which box I put my copy in, I'll try and let you know.

You still in your old house?

That's about the only good thing about moving, you find a lot of stuff you forgot you ever had...

04-12-16, 06:34 PM	#3
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,701 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	This wont effect me in any way! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

04-13-16, 08:01 AM	#13
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	To infinity and beyond. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-13-16, 08:41 AM	#14
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	I think a simple calculation will show that if you could get the craft to Alpha Centauri you would never be able to learn that it arrived. You'll never generate the power for a receivable signal from a small circuit board. If you could generate 1 watt that would be amazing. However our most dense storage devices, Lithium based batteries are good for 3 years before they quickly degrade to uselessness. If you build a craft so small you would only have enough space for about a 300mAh battery. At a 10C discharge, that's 3 amps for 6 minutes then kaput. And that's if it would retain 100% of its capacity, which it wouldn't. I may be optimistic. The camera might take up the space that I figured for the battery. I bet this thing would have a 30% chance of detection from the moon. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS Last edited by Rockin Robbins; 04-13-16 at 03:25 PM.

04-12-16, 06:39 PM	#4
AndyJWest Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I've been playing too much Elite: Dangerous - my first thought was 'Alpha Centauri? That won't take long...'

04-12-16, 09:49 PM	#7
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	When (ha) we finally move, and I find out which box I put my copy in, I'll try and let you know.