The first probe to another star is scheduled to launch in 2029 and will be on the road for 80,000 years

A German-based non-profit organization has announced plans to launch the first spacecraft to another star by 2029, with an estimated travel time of 80,000 years. The mission, called the Fermi Explorer Mission to Alpha Centauri, aims to address the so-called Fermi Paradox, named after physicist Enrico Fermi, and could mark the beginning of humanity’s long-term colonization of the Milky Way. According to the group's announcement, the probe will carry up to one kilogram of payload, including personal signatures, names, or objects from contributors who help fund the mission. The spacecraft’s route was designed using artificial intelligence, which reportedly requires significantly less fuel than traditional navigation methods. This is not the first attempt to send a probe beyond our solar system. A similar concept was previously proposed under the Breakthrough Starshot project, launched over a decade ago. That initiative aimed to accelerate tiny nano-probes to 20% of light speed using solar sails, with an expected arrival at Alpha Centauri within 20 years. However, due to insufficient funding, Yuri Milner, the Israeli billionaire behind the project, failed to secure the promised $100 million, the project was quietly abandoned last year. The Fermi Explorer Mission now seeks to build upon this vision, albeit with a more realistic approach. The new mission is projected to cost just $15 million, with funds collected through private donations. Those who contribute can have their name, initials, or an object included among the payload. This would make the mission the longest ever undertaken by humankind, surpassing even the earliest human migrations. Around 80,000 years ago, anatomically modern humans had yet to reach Europe, much of Asia, Australia, or the Americas. The mission’s promotional video depicts the probe being overtaken by numerous future spacecraft and finally arriving at Alpha Centauri, where it is greeted by a massive ringworld structure. The film goes further, suggesting that this journey is merely the beginning of humanity’s expansion throughout the galaxy. The team behind the Fermi Explorer Mission cites three key explanations for the Fermi Paradox: either intelligent life resembling humans is extremely rare in the universe, or such life exists briefly before disappearing. Alternatively, advanced civilizations might intentionally avoid drawing attention to themselves. By launching the first probe to another star, the mission hopes to demonstrate that it is possible for intelligent species to reach nearby stars. It also aims to show that not all species choose to remain on their home planets. If successful, the mission could provide evidence that intelligent life is exceedingly uncommon or that there is a “Great Filter” preventing it from surviving long enough to expand beyond its home world. The implications of the mission extend beyond scientific curiosity. The team suggests that understanding these factors could influence how we live on Earth. Whether intelligent life is rare or faces existential challenges, the findings could shape humanity’s future decisions regarding space exploration and survival. The mission represents a bold step toward answering one of the most profound questions in science: Are we alone in the universe? With the planned launch date set for 2029, the Fermi Explorer Mission stands poised to redefine the boundaries of human ambition and knowledge.