While efforts are already underway to find an Earthlike planet, and even to search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), there is no focused effort to address how to travel that deeply into space. Existing spaceflight is cast in terms of near-Earth activities, which are still so difficult as to make interstellar flight look impossible. History has shown, however, that simply extrapolating existing techniques is not sufficient to sustain preeminence (Foster 1986).

Practical interstellar flight requires technological revolutions, and very likely breakthroughs in physics. Pockets of activity are scattered throughout government, academia, and industry, but these are typically small, uncoordinated efforts that face erratic budgets, operational constraints, and the negative stigma of pursuing such outrageous ambitions. The visionaries behind these activities are an available resource to tap. By linking the best of these, getting them extra support for their interstellar endeavors, and casting this as an independent effort, the seeds for spaceflight revolutions will begin to grow.

Examine the differences between the following 3 options for pursuing the advancements that can lead to practical interstellar flight:

1. Pursue the von Braun vision of grand manned spaceflight. This is the direction assigned to NASA.
2. Readjust the goals to fit budgets and technological realities. This means lowering one's ambitions to find affordable, yet still meaningful challenges. This is the realm of now active entrepreneurs.
3. Seek the breakthroughs that will change everything. Go in search of the new S-curves (Foster 1986). Leave the evolutionary advancements to others.

Presently, some of the world’s most reputable thinkers deem interstellar flight impossible, and they might well be right. Conceding defeat, however, does not inspire progress. Even if the ultimate challenges prove impossible, there is value to be found in the attempt. Aiming for impossible goals forces thinking beyond mere extrapolation of existing technology. It presents a provocative challenge to spur discoveries that the others aren’t even looking for. It provides a different perspective from which to ponder the lingering mysteries of physics. It gives an inspirational theme around which to educate the public about the challenges and opportunities of science and technology. It helps remind us that we share a common humanity, temporarily stranded on our small planet, to encourage us to behave more responsibly. And finally, given the indefinitely long time scales of interstellar flight, it offers a role model for breaking from the pitfalls of instant gratification.

It is important to stress that the advances sought by this Foundation are not likely to occur quickly. Although this is discouraging, it is equally important to keep in mind the reciprocal aspect – that of the magnitude of advances sought. If the Foundation discovers new methods for energy exchange or methods to impart forces to distant objects, this would usher in a whole new genre of technology. As much as the historic revelation of the connection between electricity and magnetism led to motors, generators, and previously unimaginable devices, consider the consequences if the Foundation discovers an engineering connection between electromagnetism, gravity and inertia. At this point, this is wild conjecture. But with systematic, short-term increments of research, these conjectures can mature into hypotheses, tests, and discoveries.

And what if the impossible is possible? If so, it is certain to happen sooner than the pessimists believe. That is the way of pessimists. Some research and education is already happening in small fragments scattered across the world, albeit to a very limited degree. But is this enough? On something as important as giving humanity a future beyond the bounds of Earth, shouldn’t we be doing more? With the Tau Zero Foundation, you will be supporting a network of rational visionaries who are willing to tackle the impossible and produce value along the way. Join us. Support us. Help give humanity a future worth striving for.