Navigating the Stars: The Challenges of Interstellar Travel

This chapter explores the feasibility of traveling to nearby stars, particularly Alpha Centauri and Proxima Centauri, while highlighting the vastness of the Milky Way and the increasing understanding of exoplanets. It delves into the complexities of acceleration and deceleration during space travel, discussing the biological and engineering challenges faced in achieving human-compatible speeds. Additionally, the chapter examines the dangers of space debris and cosmic radiation, offering solutions for future spacecraft design to enable successful interstellar missions.