Initiative for Interstellar Studies
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Initiative for Interstellar Studies}}
{{Infobox organization
|name = The Initiative for Interstellar Studies
|image = Initiative for Interstellar Studies.jpg
|size = 100px
|caption = i4is logo
|abbreviation = i4is
|formation = 2012
|extinction =
|status = Incorporated in the UK as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee
|purpose = To conduct activities or research relating to the challenges of achieving robotic and human interstellar flight.
|location = UK
|region_served = World
|membership = Astronautical engineers Astrophysicists
|leader_title = Executive Director
|leader_name = Andreas M. Hein
|founders = Kelvin F. Long, Rob Swinney
|main_organ = [http://www.i4is.org/Publications/Principium Principium]
|parent_organization =
|budget =
|website = [https://i4is.org/ www.i4is.org]
|remarks = See also the i4is [https://i4is.org/blog blog]
}}
The Initiative for Interstellar Studies (i4is) is a UK-registered not-for-profit company, whose objectives are education and research into the challenges of Interstellar Travel.“The Institute for Interstellar Studies”, Spaceflight (magazine), Editorial, Vol.54, No.12, p.445, December 2012, by David Baker It pioneered small-scale laser sail interstellar probes (Project Dragonfly) and missions to interstellar objects (Project Lyra). Several of its principals were involved in the 100 Year Starship winning team originated by NASA and DARPA.{{cite web|title=100 Year Starship|url=http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2011/2011/02/09_100-Year_Starship_Study_Strategic_Planning_Workshop_Held.aspx|publisher=DARPA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722105311/http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2011/2011/02/09_100-Year_Starship_Study_Strategic_Planning_Workshop_Held.aspx|archive-date=2013-07-22}}
The US activities of i4is are coordinated by the Institute for Interstellar Studies, a not-for-profit registered in Tennessee, USA.
Notable projects and activities
i4is has initiated a project working on small interstellar spacecraft, propelled by a laser sail in 2013 under the name of Project Dragonfly.“Project Dragonfly”, i4is.org/news/dragonfly{{Cite web|url=http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=31478|title = Project Dragonfly: The case for small, laser-propelled, distributed probes}} Four student teams worked on concepts for such a mission in 2014 and 2015 in the context of a design competition.{{cite journal |last1=Perakis |first1=Nikolaos |last2=Schrenk |first2=Lukas |last3=Gutsmiedl |first3=Johannes |last4=Koop |first4=Artur |last5=Losekamm |first5=Martin J |title=Project Dragonfly: A feasibility study of interstellar travel using laser-powered light sail propulsion |journal=Acta Astronautica |date=2016 |volume=129 |pages=316–324|doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2016.09.030 |bibcode=2016AcAau.129..316P }}{{cite journal |last1=Häfner |first1=Tobias |last2=Kushwaha |first2=Manisha |last3=Celik |first3=Onur |last4=Bellizzi |first4=Filippo |title=Project Dragonfly: Sail to the stars |journal=Acta Astronautica |date=2019 |volume=154 |pages=311–319|doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.05.018 |bibcode=2019AcAau.154..311H |s2cid=116056664 }}{{Cite web|url=http://kickstarter.com/projects/1465787600/project-dragonfly-sail-to-the-stars|title = Project Dragonfly - Sail to the Stars}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=33025|title = Project Dragonfly: Design Competitions and Crowdfunding}}{{cite web |last1=Cain |first1=Fraser |title=Project Dragonfly. A Laser-Powered Probe to Alpha Centauri |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=598UtgxFd1E |website=Universe Today |access-date=14 February 2021}} The design of the team from the University of California, Santa Barbara, has subsequently been selected as the baseline system architecture for Breakthrough Starshot. A subsequent study, Project Andromeda, has provided input to Breakthrough Starshot prior to its announcement in 2016.{{cite news |last1=Moody |first1=Oliver |title=Tiny armada to explore space |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/tiny-armada-to-explore-space-alpha-centauri-initiative-for-interstellar-studies-vauxhall-f2bkl22q5 |work=The Times |access-date=15 February 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Emerging Technology from the arXiv |title=Femto-Spacecraft Could Travel to Alpha Centauri |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2017/08/31/149377/femto-spacecraft-could-travel-to-alpha-centauri/ |website=MIT Technology Review |access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite arXiv |last1=Hein |first1=Andreas M |last2=Long |first2=Kelvin F |last3=Fries |first3=Dan |last4=Perakis |first4=Nikolaos |last5=Genovese |first5=Angelo |last6=Zeidler |first6=Stefan |last7=Langer |first7=Martin |last8=Osborne |first8=Richard |last9=Swinney |first9=Rob |last10=Davies |first10=John |title=The Andromeda Study: A Femto-Spacecraft Mission to Alpha Centauri |date=2017 |class=astro-ph.IM |eprint=1708.03556}}
In November 2017, i4is launched Project Lyra and proposed a set of mission concepts for reaching the interstellar objects 1I/ʻOumuamua, 2I/Borisov, and yet to be discovered objects.{{Cite journal |last1=Hein |first1=Andreas M. |last2=Perakis |first2=Nikolaos |last3=Eubanks |first3=T. Marshall |last4=Hibberd |first4=Adam |last5=Crowl |first5=Adam |last6=Hayward |first6=Kieran |last7=Kennedy III |first7=Robert G. |last8=Osborne |first8=Richard |title=Project Lyra: Sending a spacecraft to 1I/'Oumuamua (former A/2017 U1), the interstellar asteroid |journal=Acta Astronautica |volume=161 |pages=552–561 |date=7 January 2019 |arxiv=1711.03155 |bibcode=2017arXiv171103155H |doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.12.042|s2cid=119474144 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576518317004}}{{cite journal |arxiv=1909.06348 |last1=Hibberd |first1=Adam |last2=Perakis |first2=Nikolaos |last3=Hein |first3=Andreas M. |title=Sending a Spacecraft to Interstellar Comet C/2019 Q4 (Borisov) |date=13 September 2019|journal=Earth and Planetary Astrophysics }}{{cite journal |last1=Hibberd |first1=Adam |last2=Hein |first2=Andreas M |title=Project Lyra: Catching 1I/'Oumuamua-Using Nuclear Thermal Rockets |journal=Acta Astronautica |date=2021 |volume=179 |pages=594–603|doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.11.038 |arxiv=2008.05435 |bibcode=2021AcAau.179..594H |s2cid=221104007 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576520307141}}{{cite journal |last1=Hibberd |first1=Adam |last2=Hein |first2=Andreas M |last3=Eubanks |first3=T Marshall |title=Project Lyra: Catching 1I/'Oumuamua--Mission Opportunities After 2024 |journal=Acta Astronautica |date=2020 |volume=170 |pages=136–144|doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.01.018 |arxiv=1902.04935 |bibcode=2020AcAau.170..136H |s2cid=119078436 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576520300291}} The project has been featured in numerous media outlets.{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Corey S. |title=Visitors from deep space are buzzing our solar system. The race is on to explore them |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/visitors-deep-space-are-buzzing-our-solar-system-race-explore-ncna1065851 |website=NBC News |date=17 October 2019 |access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Greshko |first1=Michael |title=Interstellar comet starts coming into focus |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/10/interstellar-comet-borisov-starts-coming-into-focus/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005045838/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/10/interstellar-comet-borisov-starts-coming-into-focus/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 5, 2019 |website=National Geographic |date=4 October 2019 |access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite magazine |last1=Oberhaus |first1=Daniel |title=Should Earthlings Chase 'Oumuamua Into Interstellar Space? |url=https://www.wired.com/story/should-earthlings-chase-oumuamua-into-interstellar-space/?fbclid=IwAR3vyWrALMbvbj9Ytzj1F-SP3L7MVgYQbpqfDRQQHdJhccZuNaNgsotWX5U |magazine=Wired |access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Corey S. |title=What is Oumuamua? Here's what we know about the interstellar object |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/what-oumuamua-here-s-what-we-know-about-interstellar-object-ncna963656 |website=NBC News |date=28 January 2019 |access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Matt |title=Could we intercept interstellar comet C/2019 Q4 Borisov? |url=https://phys.org/news/2019-09-intercept-interstellar-comet-c2019-q4.html |website=Phys.org |access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Ciaccia |first1=Chris |title=Newly discovered interstellar visitor could be intercepted, study says |url=https://www.foxnews.com/science/new-interstellar-visitor-could-be-intercepted |website=Fox News |date=20 September 2019 |access-date=14 February 2021}}
World and Generation Ships:
File:Stanford Torus-based generation ship.png
i4is has published on world ships, large interstellar generation ships and has presented its results at the ESA Interstellar Workshop in 2019 as well as in ESA's Acta Futura journal.{{cite journal |last1=Hein |first1=Andreas M |last2=Smith |first2=Cameron |last3=Marin |first3=Frederic |last4=Staats |first4=Kai |title=World Ships: Feasibility and Rationale |journal=Acta Futura |date=2020 |volume=12 |pages=75–104 |doi=10.5281/zenodo.3747333 |arxiv=2005.04100 |s2cid=218571111}}{{cite web |last1=Faife |first1=Corin |title=Scientists Are Contemplating a 1,000-Year Space Mission to Save Humanity |url=https://onezero.medium.com/scientists-are-contemplating-a-1-000-year-space-mission-to-save-humanity-70882a0d6e47 |website=Medium - OneZero |date=17 December 2019 |access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=Andreas M |last2=Smith |first2=Cameron |last3=Marin |first3=Frédéric |last4=Staats |first4=Kai |title=World Ships –Feasibility and Rationale |url=https://indico.esa.int/event/309/attachments/3517/4683/World_Ships_-_Andreas_Hein.pdf |access-date=16 February 2021}} In 2024, the Project Hyperion design competition was launched.{{cite web |last1=Feehly |first1=Conor |title=Design an Interstellar 'Generation Ship' to Spend Decades Among the Stars with Project Hyperion Competition |url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/tech/design-an-interstellar-generation-ship-to-spend-decades-among-the-stars-with-project-hyperion-competition |website=Space.com |date=5 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Bob McDonald |title=Contest Invites Teams to Design a 'Generation Starship' for a 250-Year Journey |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/generation-starship-contest-1.7378039 |website=CBC Radio |date=8 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Szondy |first1=David |title=Spaceship Architects Asked to Design Star-Hopping Generation Ships |url=https://newatlas.com/space/spaceship-architects-generation-ships-competition/ |website=New Atlas |date=15 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Matt |title=Project Hyperion Is Seeking Ideas for Building Humanity’s First Generation Ship |url=https://www.universetoday.com/169223/project-hyperion-is-seeking-ideas-for-building-humanitys-first-generation-ship/ |website=Universe Today |date=11 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024}}
Venus astrobiology mission:
Subsequent to the alleged discovery of phosphine in the Venusian atmosphere in 2020, i4is published a study on a dedicated astrobiology mission, based on a fleet of balloons to probe the Venusian atmosphere.{{cite web |last1=Dorminey |first1=Bruce |title=Proposed Venus Balloon Mission Could Detect Life By 2022 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorminey/2020/09/28/low-cost-privately-funded-balloon-mission-could-scope-out-venus-life-by-2022/?sh=a2fab0217064 |work=Forbes |access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite journal |last1=Hein |first1=Andreas M |last2=Lingam |first2=Manasvi |last3=Eubanks |first3=T Marshall |last4=Hibberd |first4=Adam |last5=Fries |first5=Dan |last6=Blase |first6=William Paul |title=A Precursor Balloon Mission for Venusian Astrobiology |journal=The Astrophysical Journal Letters |date=2020 |volume=903 |issue=2 |page=L36 |doi=10.3847/2041-8213/abc347 |arxiv=2009.11826 |bibcode=2020ApJ...903L..36H |s2cid=221878878 |doi-access=free }}
Principium:
The i4is publishes a quarterly newsletter, Principium.{{cite web|title=Principium|url=http://www.i4is.org/Publications/Principium|publisher=i4is}}
Prominent figures
The i4is has a number of internationally renowned academics and engineers who have oversight and involvement with its work -
- Freeman Dyson FRS, theoretical physicist and mathematician, professor emeritus Institute for Advanced Study was a member of the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120918020424/http://www.i4is.org/people_council.html Advisory Council of the i4is]
- Alan Bond, Managing Director of Reaction Engines Limited, is a consultant to i4is.
- Dr Ian Crawford, Professor of Planetary Science and Astrobiology at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London{{cite web|title=Dr Ian Crawford|url=http://www.bbk.ac.uk/geology/our-staff/ian-crawford/|publisher=Birkbeck College, University of London}} is a member of the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120918020424/http://www.i4is.org/people_council.html Advisory Council of the i4is]
- Gregory L. Matloff, professor New York City College of Technology{{cite web|title=Gregory L. Matloff|url=https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/aboutus/scholars/bios/matloff.shtml/|publisher=New York City College of Technology|access-date=2013-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019235211/http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/aboutus/scholars/bios/matloff.shtml|archive-date=2012-10-19|url-status=dead}} is Chair of the Advisory Council of the i4is.{{cite web |url=http://www.i4is.org/people_council.html |title=I4IS - Senior Advisory Council |website=www.i4is.org |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918020424/http://www.i4is.org/people_council.html |archive-date=18 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.bis-space.com British Interplanetary Society website]
- [http://www.jbis.org.uk Journal of the British Interplanetary Society] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201174958/http://www.jbis.org.uk/ |date=2018-12-01 }}
- [http://www.isunet.edu/ International Space University]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlsNByfdXw4 20 minutes talk by Chris Welch about The Institute for Interstellar Studies] during SpaceUp Stuttgart 2012 (YouTube Video)
Category:Organizations established in 2012