Breakthrough Starshot Targets Alpha Centauri

The Breakthrough Starshot project proposed sending gram-sized robotic spacecraft to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri. Instead of using conventional rockets, the concept called for a massive Earth-based laser array to propel tiny light sails to roughly 20 percent of the speed of light. At that speed, the miniature probes could theoretically cross the 4.37-light-year gap to Alpha Centauri in about 20 years.

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