The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issued a grant to scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles. Specialists will develop an engine that will allow the rocket to fly 7 times faster than the Voyager-1 probe.
What is known
Scientists led by Artur Davoyan received $175,000. At the initial stage of the project, they will have to prove the feasibility of their concept. To do this, they will conduct simulations of engine subsystems and engage in experimental research.
In order for a spacecraft weighing 1000 kg to reach a speed of 120 km / h, a 10 MW laser is needed, which will be in orbit. It will interact with the propulsion system more strongly than photons, which have no mass.
It is expected that the ship will be able to move away from the Earth at a distance of 100 astronomical units (1,495,978,700 km) 3 years after launch. After 5 years, the ship will be able to leave the solar system. The Voyager 1 probe took 35 years to leave our star system.
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