Interstellar Propulsion Colloquium

Hosted by the Rhône Institute of Advanced Physics, the colloquium explores realistic pathways beyond the solar system. Kwame Asante presents first measurements from the Eidolon Lightsail Prototype.

Marguerite Delacroix contrasts beamed sails with fusion drives and explains where each makes sense. Kwame's talk covers sail deployment dynamics, laser beam pointing over enormous distances and the thermal limits of the sail material. He will also discuss why the Eidolon carries a crew of four for testing even though only one pilot is needed in flight. Marguerite will compare the Eidolon's nearly zero fuel use, about 0.02 tonnes per 100 AU, with the helium-3 drives on Halcyon's Odyssey explorers, and explain the engineering hurdles before a crewed trip to Proxima Centauri b could be attempted.

The colloquium includes a poster session and a dinner for speakers and students.

For physicists, propulsion engineers and graduate students.