In October 2017, astronomers made a groundbreaking discovery: 1I/2017 U1, famously known as ‘Oumuamua, the first observed interstellar object to visit our solar system. This enigmatic object, estimated to be about 1,300 feet long, swiftly moved out of telescope range, leaving its true nature a mystery. As ‘Oumuamua zipped away at an incredible 85,700 mph, scientists were left grappling with the challenge of tracking and studying it. The pursuit of ‘Oumuamua has sparked innovative mission proposals aimed at intercepting not just this object but future interstellar visitors as well.

ESA’s Comet Interceptor, scheduled for a 2029 launch, is poised to be a game-changer in this quest. The mission involves a large spacecraft and two smaller probes that will travel to the L2 Lagrange point, about 932,100 miles from Earth. Here, they will wait for an interstellar object or a pristine comet from the outer solar system to study. Michael Kueppers, the Comet Interceptor Project Scientist, emphasizes that this is the first rapid-response mission of its kind.

The nearly completed Vera C. Rubin Observatory, with its state-of-the-art 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope and 3,200-megapixel CCD camera, will further revolutionize our view of the cosmos. Once operational, this observatory will survey the entire Southern Hemisphere every few days for a decade, creating an immense database ideal for tracking dynamic changes in the sky. Researchers anticipate that the Rubin Observatory could discover up to 70 ‘Oumuamua-like interstellar objects each year, significantly increasing our chances of studying these mysterious visitors.

To catch up with ‘Oumuamua, scientists propose using gravity assists, a technique that involves slingshot maneuvers around planets like the Sun or Jupiter to gain speed. Project Lyra, led by the Institute for Interstellar Studies (i4is), explores this approach, proposing a series of flybys culminating in a gravity assist from Jupiter. This method avoids the need for a massive heat shield and offers a faster travel time, with a potential launch in 2028 and a rendezvous with ‘Oumuamua by 2054.

Marshall Eubanks, Chief Scientist at Space Initiatives Inc., believes a mission to ‘Oumuamua is inevitable. He argues that even in 100 years, ‘Oumuamua will be much closer than nearby stars, making it a more accessible target. Using current technology, such as SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, a mission to intercept ‘Oumuamua is within reach. Eubanks emphasizes the unique opportunity ‘Oumuamua presents: “If you really think ‘Oumuamua is a real outlier, you should want to investigate it. You’ll never solve it otherwise.”

Finding ‘Oumuamua is another challenge. Due to limited observations, its current position is uncertain. One strategy is to send a scout mission to locate it before launching a larger spacecraft for detailed study. These scout probes, potentially developed by the Breakthrough Starshot project, could cover a vast area, propelled by laser beams from Earth, the Moon, or space. These frisbee-sized spacecraft could theoretically reach ‘Oumuamua in a few years, providing valuable data about its position and behavior.

A larger follow-up mission, comparable to NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft, would be required for detailed study. While costly and risky, such a mission could yield groundbreaking discoveries. However, even if we never reach ‘Oumuamua, future interstellar objects await exploration.

ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission exemplifies our proactive approach to studying these cosmic visitors. With a five-year window to find and select its target, this mission will compare interstellar objects with known comets, providing invaluable insights into the formation of stars and planets. If an interstellar object is found to be artificial, it would transform our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it.

Based mainly on:
1. Project Lyra – Exploring Interstellar Objects: [ Ссылка ];
2. "‘Oumuamua: Can we catch an interstellar interloper?" By David Chandler | Published: June 1, 2024 | Astronomy.com.

### Keywords and Hashtags

**Keywords:** ‘Oumuamua, interstellar object, ESA, Comet Interceptor, space exploration, Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Project Lyra, gravity assist, solar system, cosmic discovery, Breakthrough Starshot, Marshall Eubanks, rapid-response mission, celestial wanderers

**Hashtags:** #Oumuamua #Interstellar #SpaceExploration #CometInterceptor #CosmicDiscovery #Astronomy #ProjectLyra #VeraRubinObservatory #Astrophysics #SpaceScience #AlienTechnology #CelestialWanderers #NASA #BreakthroughStarshot

свернуть