A new concept proposes sending a swarm of laser-powered micro-spacecraft, known as Coracles, toward Proxima b in the Proxima Centauri system.

Accelerated to near-light speeds by Earth-based lasers, these probes would work collectively to capture high-resolution data and search for biosignatures or technological signals.

Despite major challenges in navigation and communication, light-sail technology could enable the first detailed exploration of a potentially habitable world beyond our solar system—within this century.

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This episode includes AI-generated content.