The Cosmic Wanderer

I have always dreamt of being able to travel across the universe. Just the idea of travelling to distant stars, planets and galaxies is enough to light a spark of curiosity in me. Whenever I lie on my bed and close my eyes, I try to imagine myself as a wanderer, who has embarked on a possibly endless tour of the universe, just exploring the unknown things out there in the void of space.

Just FYI, this post is going to revolve around me and my aspirations. So if you want to know a little more about me, then do read this post! :)

P.S: This is not me. Credit: The Ohio State University

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WHY DO I LIKE SPACE?

This is the trickiest question I have ever been asked. This is because there is no one answer to it. If you ask, is it because of stars and galaxies? I would say yes! If you ask, is it because of space exploration? I will again say yes!

There is no single answer to this question. But, I can tell you what part of space I am more inclined to. That would definitely be interstellar travel! As an aspiring astrobiologist and an astronaut, I imagine myself not just as a scientific researcher doing some lab experiments (no offence to the amazing scientists out there), but as a cosmic wanderer in a quest to visit those potentially habitable planets. Mars would be a great planet to visit, but, Kepler and Trappist planetary systems sound more appealing to me. :p

This is where two frontiers come into the picture - spacecraft propulsion and cryogenic sleeping.

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WHAT DO I WANT TO DO IN THIS FIELD?

Although I have not figured out everything, I am most likely looking to pursue research in spacecraft engineering and propulsion.

Propulsion forms an important aspect of interstellar travel. The nearest star to us is Proxima Centauri which is 4.2 light-years away. We cannot get there without a spaceship that can travel at least 50% of the speed of light. Travelling at 50% of light speed would take us around 8 years or so to get to Proxima Centauri. Although this may sound crazy and might require breaking all laws of physics, it is how it is.

Cryogenic sleeping, if developed, would allow astronauts to sleep for longer periods of time than we may ever live! It would open the doors to interstellar travel.

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I know you are maybe thinking that I am crazy or I live in a fictional world. But,

Dreams, if they're any good, are always a little bit crazy.

- Ray Charles

On that note, I would now like to end this post. If you have read till here, you are amazing! :)

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