A global initiative challenges designers to reflect on the future of the space exploration. Launched in November this year, the Project Hyperion promotes a competition to explore the possibility of manned interstellar travel via next-generation ships, using current and near-future technologies.
A generation ship is a hypothetical spacecraft designed for long-duration interstellar travel, taking centuries to complete. The first crew would live, breed and die on the ship, with their offspring continuing the journey until they reached their destination.
These ships are often seen as self-sustaining ecosystems, with agriculture, housing and other life support systems necessary to ensure their survival for many generations, the campaign explains.
“The study aims to provide an assessment of the feasibility of human interstellar flight using current and near-future technologies. It also aims to guide technology research and future development plans, as well as to inform the public about human interstellar travel,” the statement reads.
In the first phase, participants must develop the concept of the ship, with initial design and statements covering the layout of the habitat, systems and social structure of the generation ship. In the second, it is the turn of the detailed project, with technical details and visual presentations of architecture, technology integration and social models.
Project Hyperion is made up of experts in engineering, anthropology, urban planning and architecture who have worked at NASA, ESA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
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Who can participate?
Teams made up of an architectural designer, an engineer and a social scientist (a sociologist or anthropologist, for example) can participate. The most innovative concepts will be awarded up to US$ 10 thousand (R$ 57.8 thousand at the current price).
Registration is open until December 15 when you pay a fee of US$20 (R$115). Competitors will be evaluated in two stages, in February and May, and the winners will be announced on June 2, 2025.
2024-11-19 11:22:00
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Hyperion as it addresses the logistical and sociocultural challenges of long-duration space travel. Given that interstellar missions could span generations, understanding how to design a self-sustaining environment that can support human life over extended periods is crucial. This includes considerations for habitat design, resource management, and fostering a thriving community among the crew.
Thank you for your interest in being interviewed about the Project Hyperion competition. To begin with, could you please introduce yourself and your areas of expertise in relation to the topic of interstellar travel and generation ships?
Guest 1: Certainly! I am Dr. Lisa Kok, a senior space architect and urban planner with over 15 years of experience in the aerospace industry. My work has focused on designing habitable environments for long-duration spaceflight, including missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. I’m also an adjunct professor at MIT, where I teach courses on space architecture and humans in extreme environments.
Guest 2: My name is Dr. Jenna Katz, and I’m a senior research scientist at NASA specializing in exoplanet exploration and advanced propulsion systems. My research aims to identify viable targets for interstellar travel and develop the technologies needed to enable humans to reach them. I’m excited to discuss the challenges and opportunities of long-duration space travel with you today.
Why is it important to study the feasibility of human interstellar travel using current and near-future technologies?
Dr. Kok: The study of interstellar travel is critical because it pushes the boundaries of what we currently know and challenges us to think creatively about how we might expand our horizons beyond Earth. By exploring the feasibility of such travel using current and near-future technologies, we can identify gaps in our knowledge and inspire new research and development efforts aimed at advancing space exploration. It also allows us to engage the public in conversations about the possibilities and challenges of interstellar travel, which may have far-reaching impacts on society and our understanding of the universe.
Dr. Katz: Absolutely. Humankind has always been driven by the desire to explore and discover new frontiers. Interstellar travel is the ultimate frontier, and understanding the feasibility of such a journey is crucial for our survival as a species. It also presents an opportunity for us to expand our knowledge of the universe and potentially discover new resources and opportunities for colonization.
What role does the generation ship concept play in this study?
Dr. Kok: The generation ship concept is a key element of Project
