Project Hyperion: A Vision for Humanity’s First Generation Ship

By Matt Williams | Published on November 12, 2024

The dream of traversing the depths of space and planting the seed of human civilization on another planet has existed for generations. For as long as we’ve known that most stars in the Universe likely have their own systems of planets, advocates have urged exploration and even colonization of them. With the advent of the Space Age, this idea transitioned from the realm of science fiction into scientific discourse. However, the challenges posed by interstellar travel remain profound and multifaceted.

There are essentially two methods to send crewed missions to exoplanets. The first involves developing advanced propulsion systems capable of achieving relativistic speeds (a significant fraction of the speed of light). The second approach necessitates the construction of spacecraft designed for generational longevity—known as Generation Ships or Worldships. Seeking to explore ideas for such ships, Project Hyperion launched a design competition on November 1st, 2024, focusing on crewed interstellar travel using current and near-future technologies. The competition is open to all, with a total prize pool of $10,000 USD dedicated to rewarding innovative and thoughtful concepts.

Project Hyperion comprises an international and interdisciplinary team that includes architects, engineers, anthropologists, and urban planners who have experience working with notable agencies such as NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The initiative is sponsored by the Initiative for Interstellar Studies (i4is)—a non-profit organization incorporated in the UK that is dedicated to propelling research aimed at enabling robotic and human exploration and the eventual settlement of exoplanets orbiting nearby stars.

The Drive for Interstellar Exploration

Interest in interstellar travel has increased dramatically in recent decades, fueled in part by the rapid discovery of exoplanets. In our galaxy alone, there are currently 5,787 confirmed planets in 4,325 star systems. This discovery spurs concepts such as Breakthrough Starshot, the Swarming Proxima Centauri, and the Genesis Project, which propose using gram-scale spacecraft, directed energy (such as lasers), and lightsails to travel at speed—potentially up to 20% of the speed of light. Such approaches could facilitate journeys of mere decades instead of the centuries or millennia required by conventional methods.

Prospects and Challenges of Crewed Spacecraft

However, sending crewed spacecraft outfitted for the settlement of exoplanets introduces a host of challenges. As noted in a previous Universe Today article, spacecraft utilizing current or even technically feasible propulsion methods could take from 1,000 to 81,000 years to reach the nearest star—Proxima Centauri. Some proposed concepts— such as Project Orion and Daedalus—could theoretically reach this destination within 36 to 85 years. However, the costs involved and the massive quantities of propellant required pose prohibitive obstacles.

The Generation Ship Concept

The alternative to these “fast-travel” strategies is to engage in a much slower journey. This involves creating a spacecraft that can sustain itself and its human crew for the entirety of their journey—potentially spanning centuries or even millennia. Such a ship would require enough space to accommodate hundreds or even thousands of people, all while being entirely self-sufficient in terms of food production and life support systems, which will need to rely on bioregenerative methods. In order for passengers to thrive, these ships must provide a living environment that ensures comfort and health throughout the voyage.

Among the architectural leaders in this discussion is Andreas Hein, an Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Luxembourg and Chief Scientist at the Institute for Interstellar Studies. "Think about the difference between a drone and an ocean liner," says Hein. Previous designs for interstellar spacecraft such as Orion and Daedalus centered on uncrewed probes primarily aimed at collecting scientific data. Contrarily, generation ships are tailored to carry crews with the explicit goal of establishing human presence on another celestial body, necessitating greater construction size and possibly similar propulsion systems, such as fusion-based methods.

“The generation ship acts as an ark for humanity, integrating technology with social sustainability, and melding the resources and needs of interstellar travelers into a cohesive whole.” – Dr. Andreas Hein

Overview of the Competition

The Project Hyperion competition is unprecedented, marking the first design competition explicitly devoted to generation ships. Registration remains open until December 15th, 2024, with a $20 fee for participating teams. The top entries will be announced on June 2nd, 2025, with a total of $10,000 distributed among the winners: $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third. Additionally, ten entries will be honored with honorary mentions for creativity and innovation.

According to their mission statement, Project Hyperion serves as a preliminary study assessing the feasibility of crewed interstellar flight utilizing next-gen technologies. Their objective is to inform the public about the future viability of interstellar travel while guiding further technological development.

Community Engagement and Scientific Collaboration

Project Hyperion focuses on interdisciplinary research and invites participants with diverse expertise. Teams must include at least one architect, engineer, and social scientist to propose designs for the ship, habitat, and the onboard society.

“We hope this competition will inspire collaboration across disciplines, emphasizing the critical roles architecture and social sciences play in planning for long-duration missions.” – Yazgi Demirbas Pech, Architect and Designer

This emphasis on collaboration stems from a growing understanding that challenges in space, such as resource constraints and environmental factors, require innovative and holistic solutions that prioritize human needs.

The Bigger Picture: Learning from Space

The implications of the competition reach beyond interstellar exploration. As future missions to the Moon and Mars become a reality, lessons learned in sustaining life onboard a generation ship may bear crucial significance for future outpost designs. Collaborative efforts aim to find solutions to sustainability challenges that could address pressing issues on Earth, including climate change and resource management.

As Cameron Smith, an anthropologist involved in Project Hyperion points out:

“The challenges of operating in isolation for centuries can inform how we manage cultures on Earth, offering insights into how to nurture and develop communities under duress.”

For further information, follow Project Hyperion.