The Fermi Explorer Mission, a nonprofit organization, has announced its ambitious plan to launch a spacecraft targeting Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to Earth, by the end of the decade. This endeavor aims to revolutionize interstellar exploration, with the spacecraft potentially taking up to 40 years to reach its destination, located approximately 4.37 light-years away. A key aspect of this project is the innovative trajectory identified by an artificial intelligence system developed by Physical Superintelligence (PSI), a newly established AI physics research lab that has secured $10 million in funding, primarily from Breakthrough Energy, a climate-focused investment initiative founded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
Historically, attempts to reach Alpha Centauri have been made, notably by billionaire investor Yuri Milner, who in 2016 proposed the Breakthrough Starshot mission which aimed to propel tiny probes at one-fifth the speed of light using powerful lasers. However, a decade later, no tangible progress has been made on that front. Philip Johnston, co-founder and president of the Fermi Explorer Mission, emphasized the project’s commitment to launching a spacecraft, stating, “We didn’t want to do another Breakthrough Starshot. We’re dead set on something actually launching.” With a budget of just $100 million, the mission plans to transport at least one kilogram of cargo, including artistic and scientific payloads as well as a copy of the Golden Record, a disc containing sounds and images of Earth intended to communicate with potential extraterrestrial civilizations.
Engineering an interstellar journey poses significant challenges, especially given that Alpha Centauri lies about 24 trillion miles from Earth. The Voyager probe, which has been traveling since 1977, has only covered a fraction of that distance. To overcome these hurdles, Johnston’s team spent a year searching for a viable solution for a small, solar-powered spacecraft. After numerous setbacks, they collaborated with Alex Wissner-Gross, co-founder of PSI, who suggested utilizing their AI system, Get Physics Done. This open-source software breaks down physics research questions and employs AI models to generate solutions. Remarkably, within a week, the AI proposed a novel trajectory that incorporated traditional orbital maneuvers in a unique fashion, enabling the spacecraft to harness solar energy more efficiently while keeping its weight manageable.
While the AI’s ability to conceive an original mission profile was unexpected, experts caution that it lacks the nuanced judgment and curiosity of human researchers. Matt Pines, co-founder and CEO of PSI, noted that the AI often struggles to prioritize interesting problems or pursue diverse approaches, occasionally leading to unproductive paths. Looking to the future, Johnston remains realistic about the mission’s timeline, acknowledging that advancements in spacecraft technology could render the Fermi probe’s efforts obsolete in a thousand years. Nevertheless, this mission represents more than just a technological challenge; it addresses a fundamental question posed by physicist Enrico Fermi regarding the existence of intelligent life in the universe. If humanity succeeds in launching a probe towards another star, it could reshape our understanding of life beyond Earth and the possibilities that lie within our galaxy.
Source: How AI plotted an interstellar journey to Alpha Centauri via MIT Technology Review