Project Longshot

Project Longshot was a planned spacecraft mission developed by the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1980s to send a robotic probe to Alpha Centauri, our closest star system. The goal was to gather scientific data about distant planets and stars, using nuclear-powered propulsion for faster travel. Although it was designed to operate autonomously and was never launched due to technological and financial challenges, Longshot demonstrated concepts for interstellar exploration and advanced spacecraft design, inspiring future ideas for reaching other star systems.