<P> Longshot would have a mass of 396 tonnes (873,000 lb) at the start of the mission including 264 tonnes of helium - 3 / deuterium pellet fuel / propellant . The active mission payload, which includes the fission reactor but not the discarded main propulsion section, would have a mass of around 30 tonnes . </P> <P> A difference in the mission architecture between Longshot and the Daedalus study is that Longshot would go into orbit about the target star while the higher speed Daedalus would do a one shot fly - by lasting a comparatively short time . </P> <P> The journey to Alpha Centauri B orbit would take about 100 years, at an average velocity of approximately 13411 km / s (about 4.5% the speed of light) and another 4.39 years would be necessary for the data to reach Earth . </P> <P> According to the Journal article "Alpha Centauri: Our First target for Interstellar Probes," after the completion of the New Horizons primary mission of Pluto Fly - By, we should set our sights at other star systems like Alpha Centauri . This would be a good target because of its proximity to Earth . </P>

How long would it take to get to alpha centauri with current technology