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The driving force for the motion of any vehicle is friction, but in the case of rocket propulsion in space, the friction force is not present. The motion of a rocket changes its velocity (and hence its momentum) by ejecting burned fuel gases, thus causing it to accelerate in the direction opposite to the velocity of the ejected fuel. In this situation, the mass and velocity of the rocket constantly change along with the total mass of ejected gases. Due to conservation of momentum, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Exploring the Effects of Spaceflight on Mouse Physiology using the Open Access NASA GeneLab Platform

Exploring the Effects of Spaceflight on Mouse Physiology using the Open Access NASA GeneLab Platform

Published on: January 13, 2019

Interstellar space biology via Project Starlight.

Stephen Lantin^1,2, Sophie Mendell^3,4, Ghassan Akkad³

¹Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, FL, USA.

Acta Astronautica

|January 30, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The NASA Starlight program proposes using directed-energy propulsion for relativistic spacecraft, enabling interstellar exploration and the expansion of life beyond Earth. This research examines the biological and ethical challenges of sending life to the stars.

Keywords:

Cryptobiosis Directed energy propulsion Interstellar propulsion NASA starlight Planetary protection Space biology

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Area of Science:

Astrobiology
Space Exploration
Directed-Energy Propulsion

Background:

Current space exploration is limited to the solar system.
Directed-energy propulsion offers a novel method for interstellar travel.
Miniaturized spacecraft can carry biological payloads.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the biological and technological challenges of interstellar space biology.
To investigate the potential for transporting life beyond our solar system.
To address planetary protection and ethical considerations.

Main Methods:

Focus on radiation-tolerant microorganisms.
Investigate organisms capable of cryptobiosis.
Analyze challenges of directed-energy propulsion for interstellar missions.

Main Results:

Relativistic spacecraft can be propelled by directed energy.
Microorganisms with cryptobiosis offer potential for interstellar travel.
Challenges include radiation tolerance and long-duration survival.

Conclusions:

Interstellar travel and expansion of life are feasible with advanced propulsion.
Radiation-tolerant microorganisms are key to interstellar biology.
Ethical and planetary protection frameworks are crucial for interstellar missions.