Proposed spacecraft could carry up to 2,400 people on a one-way trip to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri

Published: Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 4:10 pm

Proposed Spacecraft Could Carry Thousands on One-Way Trip to Alpha Centauri

Engineers have designed a hypothetical spacecraft, named Chrysalis, capable of transporting up to 2,400 people on a one-way journey to Alpha Centauri, the star system closest to our own. The project, which won first place in the Project Hyperion Design Competition, envisions a 36-mile-long vessel designed to house multiple generations during the approximately 400-year voyage.

The Chrysalis design incorporates several layers, constructed like a Russian nesting doll, each serving a specific purpose. The innermost layer would be dedicated to food production, including farms and gardens. The next layer would provide communal spaces such as parks, schools, and libraries. Dwellings for individual households would be located in the subsequent layer. Facilities for industries, ranging from recycling to manufacturing, would be housed in the fourth layer, with the outermost layer serving as a warehouse for resources. Robots are proposed to manage the warehouse, reducing the need for human labor.

The central core of the spacecraft would contain shuttles for transporting passengers to the potentially habitable planet Proxima Centauri b, as well as communication equipment. The design also incorporates artificial gravity through constant rotation. Before embarking on the voyage, potential passengers would undergo a 70-80 year period of adaptation in an isolated environment to ensure psychological well-being. The project also includes plans for planned births to maintain a sustainable population of approximately 1,500 people. Governance of the ship would be supported by artificial intelligence.

While the project is currently hypothetical, as it relies on technologies that do not yet exist, such as commercial nuclear fusion reactors, it offers valuable insights into the challenges and possibilities of interstellar travel. The Chrysalis project's design was praised for its "system-level coherence and innovative design of the modular habitat structure" and "overall depth of detail."

BNN's Perspective: While the Chrysalis project is a fascinating concept, it's important to remember that it's currently theoretical. The sheer scale of the undertaking, the technological hurdles, and the ethical considerations of a multi-generational voyage are immense. However, the project's focus on sustainability, community, and long-term planning offers valuable lessons for future space exploration endeavors.

Keywords: spacecraft, Alpha Centauri, interstellar travel, Chrysalis, multigenerational, space exploration, Proxima Centauri b, habitable planet, space travel, future technology

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