NASA has announced plans for an interstellar mission to search for life outside our solar system. The US space agency hopes to send a spacecraft to neighbouring star system Alpha Centauri by 2069, which is the 100th anniversary of the first moon landing. The star system is 24.9 trillion miles away from Earth. It consists of three stars: Centauri A, Centauri B, and Proxima Centauri. It has been the subject of great scientific interest since an Earth-like planet was discovered orbiting Proxima Centauri in 2016. The planet, known as Proxima, resides in a "habitable zone" where temperatures are mild enough for liquid surface water. Astronomers believe there are "almost certainly" other small Earth-like planets capable of harbouring alien life in the star system. To visit Alpha Centauri a spacecraft would need to travel at a minimum of 10 per cent of the speed of light - nearly 30 million metres per second. Even if this could be achieved, the journey would take 44 years. This would mean the spacecraft would not reach the star system until the year 2113. NASA is said to be exploring different options in its approach to the mission, including sending tiny probes powered by lasers. Scientists believe they may be able to reach a quarter of the speed of light. Other techniques under consideration include harnessing nuclear reactions, or collisions between matter and antimatter, New Scientist magazine reported.
NASA has aims to send a space shuttle to adjacent star system Alpha Centauri by the asteroid 2069 , on the 100th anniversary of the moon landing . The star system , one trillion miles away from Earth , could be searched for signs of life , inspired by the discovery of an Earth - type planet orbiting the star Proxima Centauri last year . " Proxima " has mild enough temperatures to contain liquid mineral water , which could indicate the ability to sustain life . Any travel would have to be completed at a minimum speed of 30 cubic metres per second , or 10 percent of the speed of light .