Ambitious ‘Chrysalis‘ Project Aims for Interstellar Travel,400-Year Voyage
RIO DE JANEIRO,BRAZIL – Researchers are developing plans for “Chrysalis,” a self-sustaining spacecraft designed to transport humanity to a new planet over a 400-year journey,according to reports from Aventuras na História. The project, still largely theoretical, envisions a vessel capable of supporting a population of up to 2,400 people, though an ideal crew size of around 1,500 is proposed to optimize resource management.
the ambitious undertaking necessitates technologies currently beyond commercial availability, including nuclear fusion reactors for power generation and fully closed-loop life support systems for recycling water, air, and waste. Recognizing the multi-generational nature of the voyage – where initial crew members will live and die onboard – the design incorporates extensive cultural and social spaces to maintain the mental health of the population. Human crew will manage core systems, aided by artificial intelligence for monitoring, failure prediction, and strategic decision-making.
A notable external threat is cosmic radiation, which Chrysalis would combat with reinforced armor and self-repairing materials, potentially utilizing emerging “smart polymers.” To prepare for the psychological challenges of prolonged isolation, prospective initial settlers would undergo up to 80 years of simulated conditions in an Antarctic facility.
Researchers believe some of the required technology could be viable within the next two decades. if realized, Chrysalis is projected to mark the begining of human interstellar travel. the project is being spearheaded by a team of researchers, with journalist and history student at USP, Giovanna Gomes, reporting on the developments for Aventuras na História.