In your lifetime, find life on other planets?

As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.
- Albert Einstein, 1879 - 1955

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crypter crypter @ Apr 26 2007, 10:22 PM) [snapback]431030[/snapback]</div>

Let's say we launched today ... when would a spacecraft make orbit around Gliese 581c?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fshagan @ Apr 30 2007, 10:28 PM) [snapback]433090[/snapback]</div>

To date, the fastest interstellar spacecraft launched by man is Voyager 1; currently traveling at a speed of 38,600 MPH. This represents 0.0000576 C. At that speed, it would reach the planet in 347,000 years !!

As an alternative, the fastest man made object is Helios - a satellite currently in orbit around the Sun. It reaches a peak velocity of 150,000 MPH, representing 0.000224 C. At that speed, it would reach the planet in 89,000 years.

So, that gives you an idea of our current capabilities. Oh - by the way, once the spacecraft gets there, don't forget to add 20 years to that for the first pictures to be sent back... :blink:

Bottom line, using current technology, we are not able to practically reach the planet (the satellite would probably fail / wear out before it even gets there - leave alone that no one will remember its existence).