Project Icarus
Project Icarus is a 21st century theoretical study of a mission to another star. Icarus aims to build on the work of the
celebrated Daedalus project. Between the period 1973-1978 members of the BIS undertook a theoretical study of a flyby mission
to Barnard's star 5.9 light years away. This was Project Daedalus and remains one of the most complete studies of an interstellar
probe to date. The 54,000 ton two-stage vehicle was powered by inertial confinement fusion using electron beams to compress the
D/He3 fusion capsules to ignition. It would obtain an eventual cruise velocity of 36,000km/s or 12% of light speed from over 700kN
of thrust, burning at a specific impulse of 1 million seconds, reaching its destination in approximately 50 years.
The terms of reference for Project Icarus are:
| 1. |
To design an unmanned probe that is capable of delivering useful scientific data about the target star, associated planetary bodies,
solar environment and the interstellar medium. |
| 2. |
The spacecraft must use current or near future technology and be designed to be launched as soon as is credibly determined. |
| 3. |
The spacecraft must reach its stellar destination within as fast a time as possible, not exceeding a century and ideally much sooner. |
| 4. |
The spacecraft must be designed to allow for a variety of target stars. |
| 5. |
The spacecraft propulsion must be mainly fusion based (i.e. Daedalus). |
| 6. |
The spacecraft mission must be designed so as to allow some deceleration for increased encounter time at the destination. |
See the Terms of Reference
which define the parameters around which the study must be built.
For Detailed Overview of the Project Icarus Plan Covering Phase III 'Concept Design' please download the
Project Program Document.
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