Interstellar missions refer to space exploration efforts aimed at traveling beyond our solar system to study other star systems and celestial bodies. These missions are designed to gather data about distant planets, stars, and potentially habitable environments. Current technology limits our ability to reach these distant destinations, but concepts like the Breakthrough Starshot initiative propose using light sails propelled by powerful lasers to achieve significant fractions of the speed of light.
The primary goal of interstellar missions is to expand our understanding of the universe and search for signs of extraterrestrial life. While no spacecraft have yet traveled beyond the Heliosphere, theoretical missions could take decades or even centuries to reach nearby stars like Proxima Centauri. As technology advances, the dream of exploring other star systems may become a reality.