About the
Institute
The subject of interstellar studies derives its name from a set of special red cover issues of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, published between 1974 – 1991. These issues were edited by Gerald Grooves and Anthony Martin and they included papers on interstellar communications and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).
Read MoreThe Challenge of Interstellar Flight
In 1979 it was the physicist Robert Forward who said: " Travel to the stars will be difficult and expensive. It will take decades of time, GW of power, kg of mass-energy and trillions of dollars…interstellar travel will always be difficult and expensive, but it can no longer be considered impossible."
Tracking the Voyager Probes
The NASA Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes were launched in 1977. The primary mission was to reach and explore the Jupiter and Saturn systems. The extended part of the mission included locating and studying the outer boundaries of the solar system and to enter the Kuiper belt.
Join Us
And Help Us to Make the Future.
The Institute for Interstellar Studies represents the best of the human spirit, people putting their time, energy and other investments into a challenge that is far bigger and more important than their own lives. All of the members of the institute recognise the importance of the research and educational programs being conducted to the well being our human kind. By joining the institute in some capacity, you will help to bring about the achievement of a self-fulfilling prophesy in the exploration of space. More...
How You Can Get Involved
There are various ways you can contribute to the institutes work. The most involved way is to join one of the teams doing research and help to push the technological frontier. If none of the current projects grap your attention but you have your own idea you would like to pursue, then the institute will support you warmly and assist you to nurture your ideas to fruition.
Donate
Currently all of the people working for the Institute for Interstellar Studies are doing so in a volunteer capacity. If you like the exciting things we are doing with the Institute and you share in our ambitions and vision, then please offer us a donation which will be used wisely.
I4IS Blog
The Institute for Interstellar Studies manages a knowledge capture web site called the interstellar index. This is also the location of our public blog site, called 'The Starship Log'. You can view the institute blog articles here:
Starship Century
StarshipCentury is a groundbreaking antholog of science and science fiction based on findings and discussions of the 100-Year Starship Symposium held in 2011.
Our Mission, Vision and Values
Mission Statement
The mission of the Institute for Interstellar Studies is to foster and promote education, knowledge and technical capabilities which lead to designs, technologies or enterprise that will enable the construction and launch of interstellar spacecraft.
Vision Statement
We aspire towards an optimistic future for humans on Earth and in space. Our bold vision is to be an organisation that is central to catalysing the conditions in society over the next century to enable robotic and human exploration of the frontier beyond our Solar System and to other stars, as part of a long-term enduring strategy and towards a sustainable space-based economy.
Values Statement
To demonstrate inspiring leadership and ethical governance, to initiate visionary and bold programmes co-operating with partners inclusively, to be objective in our assessments yet keeping an open mind to alternative solutions, acting with honesty, integrity and scientific rigour.
