Abstract
Abstract The Breakthrough Starshot initiative aims to launch a gram-scale spacecraft to a speed of v ∼ 0.2c, capable of reaching the nearest star system, α Centauri, in about 20 years. However, a critical challenge for the initiative is the damage to the spacecraft by interstellar gas and dust during the journey. In this paper, we quantify the interaction of a relativistic spacecraft with gas and dust in the interstellar medium (ISM). For gas bombardment, we find that damage by track formation due to heavy elements is an important effect. We find that gas bombardment can potentially damage the surface of the spacecraft to a depth of ∼0.1 mm for quartz material after traversing a gas column of along the path to α Centauri, whereas the effect is much weaker for graphite material. The effect of dust bombardment erodes the spacecraft surface and produces numerous craters due to explosive evaporation of surface atoms. For a spacecraft speed , we find that dust bombardment can erode a surface layer of ∼0.5 mm thickness after the spacecraft has swept a column density of , assuming the standard gas-to-dust ratio of the ISM. Dust bombardment also damages the spacecraft surface by modifying the material structure through melting. We calculate the equilibrium surface temperature due to collisional heating by gas atoms as well as the temperature profile as a function of depth into the spacecraft. Our quantitative results suggest methods for damage control, and we highlight possibilities for shielding strategies and protection of the spacecraft.
Highlights
The Breakthrough Starshot initiative5 aims to launch gram-scale spacecrafts with miniaturized electronic components to relativistic speeds (v ∼ 0.2c)
We find that gas bombardment can potentially damage the surface of the spacecraft to a depth of ∼ 0.1 mm for quartz material after traversing a gas column of NH ∼ 2 × 1018 cm−2 along the path to α Centauri, whereas the effect is much weaker for graphite material
As we demonstrate gas atoms at relativistic speeds are fully stopped over a distance of a few millimeter, much smaller than the centimeter-length of spacecrafts, transferring their entire energy to the surface layer
Summary
The Breakthrough Starshot initiative aims to launch gram-scale spacecrafts with miniaturized electronic components (such as camera, navigation, and communication systems) to relativistic speeds (v ∼ 0.2c). This will enable the spacecraft to reach the nearest stars, like α Centauri (distance of 1.34 pc), within a human lifetime. Will a spacecraft moving relativistically be able to sustain the damage inflicted by the interstellar gas and dust?. Our paper evaluates the damage both by interstellar dust grains and gas atoms through detailed treatment of interactions.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
