Researchers Just Launched a Prototype of Humanitys First Interstellar SpacecraftLast year, extraterrestrial exploration venture Breakthrough Initiatives announced an ambitious plan to send tons of tiny spacecraft to our nearest neighboring star system, Alpha Centauri. The project, called Breakthrough Starshot, is focused on launching lightweight nanocraft to the stars at rip roaring speeds. Recently, the project took a big leap toward achieving its ultimate goal by successfully sending six test craft into Low Earth Orbit. Free Download Ps2 Games Highly Compressed Iso. The tiny spacecraft, called Sprites, are just 3. Aerospace engineer Zac Manchester, who is leading the design on the Sprites, has been working on them for the last 1. What weve set out to do from the beginning is push the size limits of spacecraft, Manchester told Gizmodo. The question was how small can we make a satellite and still make it do something useful. One of the challenges is how can you get enough power, and given the tiny power you can harvest, how do you communicate back to EarthManchester and his fellow researchers hope that eventually, mini spacecraft similar to the Spritescalled Star. Chipswill be able to travel at 2. It would take a spacecraft traveling at this speed less than seven seconds to reach the Moon from Earth, according to Sky and Telescope. Those are speeds and distances no spacecraft of any size has gone before. Currently, the farthest spacecraft ever built is NASAs Voyager 1, which launched in 1. Interstellar space a few years back. For now, the Sprites are chillin in Low Earth Orbit. They launched on June 2. Indian rocket called the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV. Download Top 10 Pc Games Of All Time here. Breakthrough Starshot anticipates that a second satellite will release more soon. Obviously, much more work needs to be done before we get our hopes up about an interstellar voyage. But for astrobiology nerds and tinfoil hat believers alike, the Sprites successful launch could be an important step toward finding life beyond Earth. The distances are immense and its a big challenge, Manchester added. Were a long way out to the eventual goals of Breakthrough Starshot, but were setting the early precedent here. GameTrailers is your destination to see official trailers first. Powered by IGN, you can expect to see worldfirst exclusive gameplay and the hottest new tra. Super_Mario_Bros_The_Lost_Levels.jpg' alt='Super Mario World The Second Reality Project 2' title='Super Mario World The Second Reality Project 2' />Super Mario World The Second Reality Project 2049What weve set out to do from the beginning is push the size limits of spacecraft, Manchester told Gizmodo. The question was how small can we make a. Super Mario World The Second Reality Project 2061The plan to release modified mosquitoes in the Keys attracted much local ireafter initially getting the greenlight from the FDA, the project was ultimately stalled. Get the latest international news and world events from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and more. See world news photos and videos at ABCNews.