The current technology we have for interstellar space travel is very limited, with slow speeds and outdated rockets. Our fastest rocket, Saturn 5, could only reach speeds of about 25,000 km per hour, which means it would take 188,000 years to reach the closest star system, Alpha-Centauri. Nuclear propulsion, either through fusion or fission, is not yet feasible for interstellar flights. Fission reactors have slow escape velocities and pulse nuclear thrusters have technical challenges to overcome, such as blast recoil and radiation exposure for the crew. Nuclear fusion, if fully developed, holds the most promise for solving these problems. However, currently, we have to make do with the limited technology we have and accept the odds that are stacked against us in interstellar travel.

Hector Vladimir 2025©

The vacuum of space presents navigation and habitation challenges for interstellar missions. It takes a lot of energy to slow down, and a livable pressurized atmosphere must be maintained throughout the mission. This is costly, and beyond our current capabilities. Space has much matter in the form of dust, particles, and larger bodies. These can easily collide with any speeding spacecraft, and avoiding such fast-moving bodies is currently impossible. Especially when considering high speeds requirements. The unknown presents any interstellar mission with almost endless concerns, dark energy and dark matter are only the start of these.

Hector Vladimir 2025©

Here I discuss NASA's five hazards of space flight and provide my extended layman's commentary along. These hazards include radiation, gravity fields, distance from earth, isolation, and hostile environments.

Radiation. The large and severe hazard of radiation. Ionizing radiation is zipping through space unabated and endlessly from the moment we leave the earth's protective atmosphere and magnetic field. It causes all kinds of harm to cells which cause deadly illnesses like cancer. Radiation shielding is an option, but one that is undeveloped and primitive currently. We are yet to build any space craft with radiation shielding adequate for long term space flight.

Gravity. Changing and weak gravity fields remain debilitating problems for astronauts. Too much, too little, or shifting gravity harm the human body. The more often and longer the body is exposed to these irregular gravity fields, the more the body decays and vital systems are strained. Artificial gravity or even adequate centrifugal force gravity are undeveloped technologies as of now. Germs, disease and bacteria remain health problems with low gravity, as they may mutate much faster and morph into deadly strains.

Isolation. Isolation will likely be inevitable is early deep space missions. Space is vast and distances to other planets are bafflingly large. And, problems of stress, crew health, and crew interactions remain unsolved problems. Germs, disease and bacteria remain health problems with isolation. Communication and many other human factors are also unsolved problems with isolation in space flight.

Distance from earth. The distances that humans will need to traverse to go to places like mars and beyond are vast. No human has traveled so far and for so long while isolated in a small spacecraft. Our current propulsion technologies are primitive and wholly inadequate to achieve speeds that would allow for shorter travel times to mars and beyond. Round trip times remain over 24 months at the very least. And, the distance of other celestial bodies are much more. So, our technology would need to leap ahead to shorten these vast travel times or to make the travel less harmful to the human body.

Hostile environments. Finally, hostile and confined spaces. That will be very hard to overcome. Our current technology limits the size of any spacecraft. And, rocket power limits us to very small payloads to be lifted into space. This severely curtails the size of any trans mars' ships. Again, bacteria, germs, and disease pose threats to human health in confined spaces. They can evolve rapidly to very harmful strains in the micro-gravity of space. And, confined spaces may bring conflict and unearth many disagreements among the crew. Natural human traits may allow hostility and violence onboard.

Hector Vladimir 2024