TOP scientists are planning to design a spaceship that could carry 1,000 people onboard for a 250-year mission that will take them to the stars.
The hypothetical spacecraft, dubbed “Interstellar Generational Spaceship” will be used to carry out research works on the far-away planets of the universe.
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The idea is to build such a ship where hundreds of scientists and engineers will live, carry out research, produce babies, and die on the journey while their offspring continue the research work.
Experts are now being called to design such an advanced spaceship that could travel for missions spanning generations of human life.
A new design competition, dubbed Project Hyperion, is calling for submissions for the design of the crewed interstellar generation ship
Instead of focusing on the aircraft’s propulsion system, which may require technology that does not even exist yet, researchers are being asked to design the inside of a spacecraft ideal for such a journey.
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Ideas will be evaluated on the basis of their architecture, structure, aesthetic properties and functional features provided to the crew onboard.
They will also be evaluated on the technical details, such as how the essential physical needs of the inhabitants are met.
Lastly, they will be evaluated on their social planning, such as what cultural value system will the society adopt, and how this system will mitigate against issues the society is likely to come up against.
To enter the competition, each group must have one architectural designer, one engineer, and one social scientist.
The project has been launched by the Initiative for Interstellar Studies, whose board includes top aerospace engineers from the (European Space Agency ESA).
It said in a statement: “We are an international team with expertise in architecture, engineering, anthropology and urban planning.
“We have already worked with some of the biggest names in research and development, including NASA and ESA.”
The following criteria have been laid out for the design of the spaceship:
- The spaceship should generate Earth-like gravity through rotation
- The spaceship should have Earth’s habitat and atmosphere
- The spaceship should accommodate 1,000 people on board
- The spaceship be able to travel for 250 years
- The spaceship should reach a far-away rocky planet with an artificial ecosystem
“The ideal ship is being envisioned as a self-sustaining ecosystem, featuring agriculture, habitation, and other necessary life-support systems to ensure survival across multiple generations,” the company’s website reads.
Meanwhile, a luxury space balloon capsule set to carry passengers to the edge of space successfully completed its first key test.
Florida-based Space Perspective successfully flew an unmanned version of their Spaceship Neptune – Excelsior craft to an altitude of about 100,000 feet.
The capsule reached the Earth’s atmosphere before making a controlled descent and splashdown after six hours.
The test validated several key technologies that will be used in future commercial spaceflights.
The flight took off from the Marine Spaceport Voyager ship, off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida, on September 15.
Founder and chief technology officer, Taber MacCallum said: “This is a defining moment for Space Perspective.
“This unmanned flight not only proves our technology but also brings us closer to making space accessible for everyone.”
Co-founder of Space Perspective Jane Poynter said: “This demonstration shows how accessible and gentle our spaceflight experience will be, bringing space travel within reach for more people than ever.”
The company plans to start human spaceflights in 2025, with commercial operations beginning in 2026.
To date, more than 1,800 tickets have been sold, with seats costing $125,000 each.
They will enjoy a world-class food and beverage program, comfortable seating, and amenities like custom headphones.
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The luxury space balloon will feature five-feet high windows, deep seats, dark, purple tones and subdued lighting, the atmosphere contrasts with the white and sanitised capsules of its competitors.
Wifi connectivity and a drinks bar round out the “Space Lounge” inside the company’s Neptune capsule.
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