The Astronomical, Astrobiological and Planetary Science Case for Interstellar Spaceflight
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
2010-08-31 v1 Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Abstract
A review is presented of the scientific benefits of rapid (v >= 0.1c) interstellar spaceflight. Significant benefits are identified in the fields of interstellar medium studies, stellar astrophysics, planetary science and astrobiology. In the latter three areas the benefits would be considerably enhanced if the interstellar vehicle is able to decelerate from its interstellar cruise velocity to rest relative to the target system. Although this will greatly complicate the mission architecture, and extend the overall travel time, the scientific benefits are such that this option should be considered seriously in future studies.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1008.4893,
title = {The Astronomical, Astrobiological and Planetary Science Case for Interstellar Spaceflight},
author = {Ian A. Crawford},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1008.4893},
year = {2010}
}
Comments
26 pages. Published in: Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, 62, 415-421, (2009)