>> (REPORTER): Ok, the fact that we're even
talking about this outside of a sci-fi convention
is amazing.
Scientists and investors announced this week
a project to reach the star closest to our
solar system.
Needless to say, there are challenges.
But, the technology that might make this plan
work, may just be developed here in Rochester.
Jeff Rusack tells us how.
>> (REPORTER 2): Starshot.
The plan is not an easy one.
Send a number of smaller probes, the size
of a cell phone, on the back of a huge solar
sail pushed by photonic lasers from earth
to the nearest star.
>> And we're not talking about that star,
that's the sun.
We’re talking about Alpha Centauri, it's
4.37 light years from earth.
>> The plan may sound crazy, but any plan
that has Stephen Hawking on its side has to
carry a lot of weight.
Right now though, technology has to catch
up to the idea, but some developments could
happen in Rochester.
Photonics require optics and when it comes
to moving objects with a beam of light, Optimax
is on the case.
>> (RICK PLYMPTON): We're working on technology
to produce some of the components that might
be useful for doing that, for achieving those
goals.
>> (REPORTER 2): At RIT, there may be a handful
of discoveries that help propel the Starshot
program.
>> The endeavors is impossible without the
kinds of technologies we're developing.
>> (REPORTER 2): The Director of the Center
for Detectors at RIT says, the institute has
the resources to make key camera components
for Starshot.
>> (DONALD FIGER): We're interested in developing
in very small detectors less than a millimeter
in size and that's important for this mission,
because the satellites which we're used to
being these big things will be tiny.
>> (REPORTER 2): RIT has already reached out
to Starshot scientists to see how they can
help.
Starshot may be a long shot.
It's planned to launch in roughly 20 years
and take another 20 to reach its target.
But if successful mankind's greatest feat
could have Rochester's fingerprints all over
it.
Jeff Rusack News 8.
