Welcome to Icarus Interstellar

Above Images: Left Image Icarus Logo - Copyright Alex Szames, Right Image, Daedalus next to the Empire State Building, Copyright Adrian Mann

Project Icarus is a volunteer theoretical engineering study to design an interstellar spacecraft. The project was launched on September 30th 2009 at the British Interplanetary Society HQ in London, and is a five year study.

The purpose of Project Icarus is four-fold:

1. To motivate a new generation of scientists in designing space missions that can explore beyond our solar system.

2. To generate greater interest in the real term prospects for interstellar precursor missions that are based on credible science.

3. To design a credible interstellar probe that is a concept design for a potential mission in the coming centuries so as to allow a direct technology comparison with Daedalus and to provide an assessment of the maturity of fusion based space propulsion for future precursor missions.

4. To allow a direct technology comparison with Daedalus and provide an assessment of the maturity of fusion based space propulsion for future precursor missions.

Project Icarus was initiated by the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) and the Tau Zero Foundation (TZF) and is currently being managed by Icarus Interstellar Inc., a nonprofit foundation.

Project Icarus was inspired by Project Daedalus, which ran from 1973 to 1978. Project Daedalus, a British Interplanetary Society project, concluded that interstellar travel is feasible. Specifically, Daedalus demonstrated that it is possible, by using current or credible extrapolations of existing technology, to launch an interstellar probe that could reach another solar system on timescales of a normal human lifetime.

The primary objectives of Project Icarus is to produce a completed set of technical reports which describe the engineering layout, functionality, physics, operation, expected performance and mission profile of an unmanned interstellar probe according to the requirements set out in the Project Icarus Terms of Reference document.

Project Icarus is an international project and we are slowly attempting to recruit representatives from all the permanently inhabited continents. We believe that humankind's first interstellar mission will be a global effort and we are building a team that is representative of this.

We are seeking well qualified volunteers to help with our efforts.

If you feel that you have a unique skill that could add in some way to our efforts then please contact us.

To contact the Icarus team write to: info@icarusinterstellar.org

A quote from Sir Arthur Eddington, from Stars and Atoms ( (Oxford University Press, 1927, p. 41) ).

In ancient days two aviators procured to themselves wings. Daedalus flew safely through the middle air and was duly honoured on his landing. Icarus soared upwards to the sun till the wax melted which bound his wings and his flight ended in fiasco. In weighing their achievements, there is something to be said for Icarus. The classical authorities tell us that he was only "doing a stunt", but I prefer to think of him as the man who brought to light a serious constructional defect in the flying-machines of his day. So, too, in Science. Cautious Daedalus will apply his theories where he feels confident they will safely go; but by his excess of caution their hidden weaknesses remain undiscovered. Icarus will strain his theories to the breaking-point till the weak joints gape. For the mere adventure? Perhaps partly; this is human nature. But if he is destined not yet to reach the sun and solve finally the riddle of its constitution, we may at least hope to learn from his journey some hints to build a better machine.
- Sir Arthur Eddington
"Stars and Atoms"

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What's New With Project Icarus?

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive updates on the progress of Project Icarus, and the research field of interstellar flight.

Help Icarus Interstellar. Watch this compelling video which illustrates some of the many exciting ways we plan to reach the stars.

Watch Dr. Ian Crawford talk with Hailey Bright at the 100 Year Starship Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Watch this Sky at Night episode featuring Sir Patrick Mooore discussing Project Icarus.

Read this New York Times Article featuring Mr. Kelvin Long and Dr. Andreas Tziolas discussing Project Icarus and the DARPA 100 Year Starship.

Listen to Dr. Obousy speak to Roger Hearing of the BBC World Service about Project Icarus, and the DARPA 100 Year Starship. The interview begins just after the 49 minute mark.

Have a look at this Project Icarus Team Members Map, and see where all the Project Icarus team are located. Thanks to Tiffany Frierson for putting this map together.

Take a look at An Armada of Dreams, a new blog article by Dr. Stephen Baxter.

Read Conventional Propulsion to Support an Interstellar Probe, a Discovery channel article written by Dr. Andreas Tziolas, secondary propulsion lead, and deputy project leader.

Enjoy Fuel's Paradise, a radio interview with Icarus Primary Propulsion Lead Dr. Richard Obousy, and Dr. Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute.

Icarus on BBC News: Future gazing: The prospects for interstellar travel . Kelvin Long talks with BBC blogger Jonathon Amos about the possibility of fusion propulsion and future missions to the stars.

Take a look at Keplers Worlds, our latest blog article written by Dr. Alan Hale, co-discoverer of comet Hale-Bopp.

Interested in the space shuttle? Read a personal reflection on the final launch of shuttle Discovery Goodbye Shuttle Discovery, STS 133 Final Flight, an article by Icarus designer Robert Freeland.

Enjoy Slowing Down The Icarus Probe & Induced Deceleration, a recent blog article by Co-founder and Designer Kelvin Long.

Read Ships of Dreams: Interstellar Probes in Science Fiction, a blog article by author Dr. Stephen Baxter.

Take a look at Project Icarus: Which Exoplanet to Visit? published on the Discovery Channel site, and written by Dr. Ian Crawford.

Enjoy What Would an Interstellar Mission Look Like? published on the Discovery Channel site and written by Dr. Rob Adams.

Enjoy Project Daedalus: A Plan for an Interstellar Mission published on the Discovery Channel site and written by Dr. Richard Obousy.

Read Tau Zero Takes Aim at Interstellar Propulsion published on the Discovery Channel site and written by TZF Founder Marc Millis.