Ok, this is wayyy too cool!!! The NASA "Starshade"

[GalaxyX]

Well, sunnovavich! I didn't think I would ever have the chance to see earth like planets in my lifetime, but holy fuck if this NASA mission actually works we might be seeing some Earth like worlds in the next 10 years!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Worlds_Mission

 

[Dukhat]

In 2010 the project is looking for financing from NASA and other sources in the amount of roughly US$3 billion, and if possible, the project was envisioned to start in 2011 (the project is mentioned in the NASA strategic plan of 2011http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Worlds_Mission#cite_note-2), and the telescope could be launched in 2019 and the starshade in 2020, and the science mission should begin in 2020 and last 5 years.

Current Status: Dr. Cash was granted $400,000 US for initial research on this project by NIAC in October 2005.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Worlds_Mission#cite_note-CUfund-5 A proposal was submitted to NASA in early 2006 for a discovery class mission. Three competing projects will be chosen for further study in late 2006. The New Worlds Observer team won an Astrophysics Strategic Concept Mission Study award from NASA in 2008 to further develop this mission. In 2010, the project was searching for financing of US$3 billion from NASA and other organizations.

While I share your enthusiasm, I'm not at all optimistic about the timeframe or the actual future of this project.

 

[GalaxyX]

^^ Well that puts a damper on things

 

[varek]

I hope it will not be geosynchronous, because I don't want it blocking out the sunshine over my plants!

 

[publiusr]

Something similar
http://www.nasa.gov/content/the-aragoscope-ultra-high-resolution-optics-at-low-cost/#.U5Hhu_ldWSo

Other news
http://www.nasa.gov/content/3d-phot...of-life-support-mass-complexity/#.U5HiR_ldWSo

Shields http://arxiv.org/abs/1406.1159

Puff fusion http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/05/niac-fostering-tomorrows-exploration-technology/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_pulse_propulsion