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Imagine the historic moment when the first Earth-like planet is detected deep across interstellar space. Like an inaccessible jewel it will beckon us. Is this a future home for humanity? What forms of life are already there? How do we get there? What happens when we arrive?

Based on today's technology, traveling to the stars is a long-term proposition. While existing space agencies grapple with sending astronauts beyond Earth orbit, and entrepreneurial firms bring the thrill of spaceflight to the people, no one has taken on the challenge of reaching other habitable worlds; until now.

The Tau Zero Foundation is a volunteer group of scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and writers who have agreed to work together toward practical interstellar flight and to use this quest to teach you about science, technology, and our place in the universe. By posting the latest developments and unfinished advancements here, we give students the starting materials to begin their own discoveries. By showing both how daunting and incredible this challenge is, we hope to increase attention on protecting the habitability of Earth while planning journeys into the galaxy. By reaching for the stars we will create benefits every step of the way.

Here is how you can help with this ambition. With enough support we can competitively award grants and scholarships. Help us create a future worth striving for, where humanity can survive and thrive into the heavens. Let's make this dream a reality together.

- The Practitioners of Tau Zero

 
 
     
 
News What's Out There? Getting There Human Impact On Edge
Interstellar News Blog, Comments, & Archives
 
Interstellar Travel Guide
 
Science and Technology of Interstellar Flight
 
Sociology, Anthropology & Inspiration
 
The Edge of Knowledge
                 
       
                 
Discoveries are happening every day, all over the place. Paul Gilster, the lead journalist for Tau Zero, keeps abreast of these developments and distills them down into their essential points, along with links for deeper inquiries. This Tau Zero affiliate blog invites your comments and maintains news archives.   Starting with our place in the universe, the hunt for other habitable worlds is examined next. Because these are so distant, we'll also examine other interesting things to see and do along the way. Finally, to better understand our prospects for traveling across such astronomical distances, we'll examine the very stuff that we and spacetime are made of.   From the inspirations of science fiction through the realities of humanity's first deep space probes, the technical aspects of interstellar flight are examined. Focusing first on spacecraft engines, other issues like reliability, communication, navigation, and eventually human life support are also on the docket. The Tau Zero Foundation works on the seemingly simple solar sails through the seemingly impossible faster-than-light travel.   As profoundly important as it would be to give humanity access to another habitable planet, the implications are complex. There are many deep questions about our place in the Universe left to ponder. What effect would such a quest have on society today? What if other intelligent life is discovered? What have we learned from our prior extensions into new realms? Is science fiction more than just entertainment?   Who, Where, and What are the leading works related to interstellar flight? What are the dangling loose ends that await resolution? What topics are ripe for graduate dissertations?
                 
 
 
 
Tau Zero Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity
Your donations are tax deductible
Last revisions by Marc Millis 2008-Feb-17