Fermi Explorer Mission targets 2029 launch for interstellar probe

The Fermi Explorer Mission, a nonprofit organization, has announced plans to launch the first spacecraft aimed at another star system by the end of 2029. The mission targets Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to Earth, on a journey expected to last between 73,000 and 80,000 years.

Unlike previous interstellar concepts that relied on speculative laser propulsion, this mission intends to use existing solar-electric propulsion technology. The proposed trajectory, developed through an analysis by the AI physics laboratory Physical Superintelligence, involves the lightweight spacecraft making repeated close approaches to the Sun to build sufficient speed for an interstellar coast.

The mission aims to keep costs below $15 million for design, construction, launch, and operation. The spacecraft is intended to carry a payload of at least 1 kilogram. While the project faces significant engineering challenges regarding long-duration operations and the 2029 timeline, organizers emphasize the mission is intended to serve as an achievable first step for future generations.