Would you be prepared to go away Earth on a one-way journey to our nearest star system? In a Live Science ballot, we requested our readers whether or not they would board a spacecraft that takes 400 years to succeed in Alpha Centauri. The ballot was in response to a hypothetical spacecraft referred to as Chrysalis, which received first place in a contest to design a multigenerational ship able to housing 1000’s of individuals for a journey to Proxima Centauri b — an Earth-size exoplanet that’s considered doubtlessly liveable.
More than 3,300 readers responded to the ballot, which was printed Aug. 13. And on the time of writing, the outcomes present that 45% of responders had been prepared to take the journey by deep house, no questions requested, whereas 30% gave a stable “no.”
The relaxation? Well, it relies on the main points, so we requested them what had them sitting on the galactic fence.
“It would depend on the living arrangements, as well as the work required and the rec facilities,” Jason P. Harris wrote.
For some, the decision came down to comfort and recreation. “If I could go by myself, and if the ship had a racetrack, and I could bring a motorcycle with me, I would sign right now,” S. Ravenscroft wrote.
And the chance to sleep the 400 years away was a deal-maker too. “If there was hypersleep then yes I’d go,” Chris K X24 said.
Others tied their decision to Earth’s future. “I guess if Earth was becoming uninhabitable I would,” Captain Awesome wrote. “But it doesn’t sound like fun, my ping back to Earth would just get worse and worse until gaming becomes impossible.”
Gavin Chapple noted that technology could significantly advance in those 400 years, writing: “The silly part is, once they finally arrive, there will already be humans there who beat them to it with near light speed technology.”
So what do you think? After weighing up all the options, would you be willing to leave Earth behind for Alpha Centauri? Let us know in the comments below.
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