A hypothetical spacecraft powered by a laser and traveling at nearly the speed of light could reach a black hole in as little as 100 years. The idea, proposed by astrophysicist Cosimo Bambi, suggests that a swarm of ultralight nanocrafts propelled by a laser beam could be sent to observe a black hole within 20-25 light-years from Earth.
This concept relies on the existence of a smaller black hole in close proximity to our galaxy. While 20 light-years may seem like a stretch, researchers have previously suggested that stellar-mass black holes could exist as far as 150 light-years away. However, these claims are still speculative and require further verification.
To achieve this ambitious goal, Bambi proposes the use of micro-spacecraft with light sails, similar to those being developed for the Breakthrough Starshot initiative. These tiny probes would be equipped with microchips and attached to light sails propelled by a ground-based laser. With a speed of up to a third of the speed of light, such spacecraft could potentially reach a black hole in 70 years.
While this technology is still largely theoretical, Bambi believes that significant advancements could be made within the next 30 years. If successful, the mission would provide unprecedented insights into these mysterious objects and challenge our current understanding of physics.
The proposal has sparked excitement among scientists, who recognize the potential for groundbreaking discoveries. With continued research and development, it’s possible that we’ll soon have the capability to observe black holes up close, revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos.
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/a65614782/black-hole-mission