SPACE PROBES ADVANCED PROPULSION CONCEPTS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Interstellar Probe Mission The region that the Interstellar Probe was designed to explore An interstellar precursor mission, proposed in 2000 by R. A. Wewaldt and P. C. Liewer of Caltech and JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory). This spacecraft would travel to a distance of 200–400 astronomical units (AU), using a solar sail propulsion system, to explore the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space and to sample the interstellar medium. The Interstellar Probe would surpass 200 AU in 15 years, achieving about 5 time the exit velocity of the Voyager probes. After jettisoning its sail, the spacecraft would coast to 200–400 AU, exploring the Kuiper Belt, the boundaries of the heliosphere, and the local interstellar medium. Related entry    • interstellar probes Related categories    • SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES    • ADVANCED PROPULSION CONCEPTS Archived news NASA plans first interstellar mission (May 13, 2000) Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP