Space Travel Lab Report
Over the years, ‘ astronomers have been discovering new exoplanets. Some of these exoplanets are rocky, temperate and have water. Exoplanets distinguish from planets since they orbit other smaller stars while planets orbit the sun. Planets existing outside the solar system that possess Earth-like properties lie within the habitable zones of the stars they orbit. Estimation of how livable a planet measures upon the Earth Similarity Index. The exoplanets density, surface temperature and escape velocity determine the earth similarity index. The acceptable range of the ESI is zero to one. Kepler 438b is one of the earth-like exoplanets exhibiting the highest known ESI of 0.88. Its radius is 12% larger than the earth and orbits a star that is 470 light-years from the earth.
Gliese 667Cc is 24 light-years away from the earth and possess a mass of 3.8 times the earth. It occupies the habitable zone with a surface temperature of approximately 5℃. Kepler 442b is 1.3 times the size of the earth, orbits a star that is cooler than the sun, and it is 1100 light-years away. Its orbital period of 112 days places it in the habitable zone though the surface temperature is low at -40℃. Kepler 452b radius is 1.6 times that of the earth and is 1400 light-years away. Prediction places its mass at five times the earth’s and surface temperature estimation of around -20℃ and +10℃. It would take more than a thousand years to reach this exoplanet.
Interstellar travel constitutes a movement between stars. Research shows that this travel has downfalls such as risks of tissue atrophy resulting from time spent in a microgravity environment. Discovery of a warp drive would reduce the travel time between stars though the theory is still in its testing phase. An electromagnetic drive in the warp drive with laser beams that move faster than the speed of light would result in faster interstellar travel. The laser beams create a bubble in the space-time foam, producing a thrust that powers a space ship. The bubble contracts space-time in front of the ship, making the space-time to move faster around the ship hence moving more swiftly than the speed of light. Space exploration is an inexhaustible field constituting of numerous unknown possibilities. It, therefore, requires progressive research and experiments to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the solar system and the encompassing phenomena.