NASA team working on a system that would use lasers to speed space travel reducing time to a fraction. Videos.

Graphic representation of DEEP IN- Directed Energy Propulsion for Interstellar Exploration

Credits: Philip Lubin, University of California

NASA scientist Philip Lubin and his team are working on a system that would use Earth-based lasers to allow space travel to far-away places in just a fraction of the time needed with current technology.

Description:

We propose a system that will allow us to take a significant step towards interstellar exploration using directed energy propulsion combined with wafer scale spacecraft. One of NASA’s goals and one of humanity’s grand challenges is to explore other planetary systems by remote sensing, sending probes, and eventually life to explore. This is a long standing and difficult to implement dream. The technological challenges are formidable. A step in this direction is to send small probes that will supplement the current long range remote sensing done by orbital telescopes.

New propulsion technologies could one day take us to these cosmic destinations making space travel truly interstellar! 

This video represents a research study within the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program www.nasa.gov/niac. NIAC is a visionary and far-reaching aerospace program, one that has the potential to create breakthrough technologies for possible future space missions. However, such early stage technology development may never become actual NASA missions.

A Video Summary by WSJ:

NASA scientist Philip Lubin and his team are working on a system that would use Earth-based lasers to allow space travel to far-away places in just a fraction of the time needed with current technology. WSJ's Monika Auger reports. Image: Adrian Mann

Imagine getting to Mars in just 3 days… or putting points beyond our solar system within our reach.

To watch the full version of this talk go to http://livestream.com/viewnow/niac2015seattle