Will Swarming Spacecraft Unlock the Secrets of Proxima Centauri?
Earlier this year, NASA greenlit an intriguing project as part of its NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I program: Swarming Proxima Centauri. Led by Marshall Eubanks of Space Initiatives Inc. and in collaboration with the Initiative for Interstellar Studies (i4is), this proposal aims to accelerate gram-scale spacecraft using a laser array, sending them to Proxima Centauri. A recent video gives a visual of how these tiny spacecraft—referred to as “picospacecraft”—will swarm the closest star system, aiming to explore Proxima b.
How Will Swarming Proxima Centauri Work?
Much like other lightsail missions, Swarming Proxima Centauri plans to use lasers to propel the spacecraft to a speed of up to 20% of the speed of light. At the 2024 NIAC Symposium, Eubanks presented an animation showing what this mission could look like in action. In the animation, a thousand picospacecraft, called “Coracles”, fly toward Proxima b, a rocky planet within the star’s habitable zone.
Evolution from Project Lyra to Swarming Proxima Centauri
Initially, the concept began with Project Lyra in 2017, which aimed to send spacecraft to the interstellar object ‘Oumuamua. Over time, it evolved into a collaborative mission between i4is and Space Initiatives Inc., shifting focus toward Proxima Centauri and Proxima b. These “femtospacecraft”—even smaller than nanospacecraft—represent a significant leap forward in interstellar mission planning.
The Tiny But Powerful Coracles: Tech Specs
Each probe is no larger than four meters in diameter, weighs only a few grams, and is equipped with a reflective surface and a side-mounted laser for communication. A 100 gigawatt laser array will propel them toward their target by mid-century. These Coracles are also armored to protect their delicate instruments, ensuring they survive the harsh conditions of deep space.
Unveiling the Science Behind Proxima b
As shown in the video, the red dwarf Proxima Centauri is depicted with its orbiting planet Proxima b. This rocky planet may be tidally locked, with one side facing its star permanently. This has led scientists to suggest that Proxima b could resemble an “eyeball planet”, with a warm region facing the star and a frozen zone on the opposite side.
Achieving Coherence in Swarming Spacecraft
Eubanks stressed the importance of operational coherence—ensuring all probes function as one unit. Using precision clocks and laser range measurements, the probes can determine their positions and sync their clocks within centimeters. The goal is to create a “wall of light”, where all the probes send synchronized photons back to Earth. With a data rate of one kilobit per second, the swarm could send up to four gigabytes of data per year—enough to gather meaningful scientific insights from the Proxima system.
Future Prospects for Interstellar Exploration
Although Swarming Proxima Centauri did not progress to Phase II of the NIAC program, it stands as a pioneering concept for interstellar missions. Along with other lightsail projects like Breakthrough Starshot, it highlights a future where exploring nearby stars, such as Alpha Centauri, is within reach. This mission not only pushes technological boundaries but also offers a glimpse into what humanity might achieve in interstellar exploration in the coming decades.
Source: Will Swarming Spacecraft Unlock the Secrets of Proxima Centauri?
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