26/06/2048 | CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, USA
Early yesterday morning, NASA successfully launched the first ever manned spacecraft destined to travel to a different star system.
The spacecraft, named The Infinity, is projected to reach the star system Alpha Centauri in less than fifty years, where it will enter orbit around Planet HT 3485 c. This exoplanet has a 99.999 per cent probability of being habitable, making it the highest scored planet outside our solar system.
The Infinity is the result of billions of dollars of investment into solar sail technology. Space travel using this method of propulsion allows the craft to accelerate to the previously impossible velocity of 0.09 light years.
Current calculations predict that The Infinity will reach Planet HT 3485 c in early 2092. Once in orbit around the planet, The Infinity will begin eighteen months of analysis to determine whether the planet's surface can safely support human life. If Planet HT 3485 c is deemed unsuitable, The Infinity will continue onwards to the nearest star system predicted to have an above 99.99 per cent chance of habitability.
The main mission of The Infinity is stated by NASA as being to "guarantee the longterm survival of the human race, by founding extraterrestrial communities outside of planet Earth".
The crew of The Infinity were chosen in a gruelling decade-long application process which analysed every aspect of their personal and genetic history.
This screening process was followed by five years of intense NASA training.
The Infinity will officially pass out of our solar system at 22.54 EST tomorrow.
• Check back for live minute-by-minute updates on the launch.
• Click here to learn more about the crew of The Infinity or follow their journey via the official The Infinity social media accounts.
• Don't forget to register to vote in the global referendum to name Planet HT 3485 c.
• Read about the new commercial stasis service that is promising to help civilians live long enough to see The Infinity land on Planet HT 3485 c.
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