The May 9 Launchspace email release introduced the latest idea from the "Department of Mad Scientists," a study of a 100-year starship mission. This is a joint NASA/DARPA project to generate ideas focused on the organization, business model and approaches appropriate for a self-sustaining investment vehicle in support of the 100-Year Starship Study.

We must take this project seriously, since DARPA was responsible for bringing us the Internet and many other advances in technology.

There was a request for ideas and DARPA received some 150 responses from big and small companies, and individuals. Selected ideas will apparently be presented at a three-day space technology conference scheduled to take place in Orlando at the end of September.

Reports indicate that late this year one or more winning ideas will be selected and funded for a total of roughly $1 million. The goal of this project is to make interstellar travel possible in about a century.

The awards will be in the form of grants and will represent "seed money" to help winners start thinking and disseminating ideas regarding a possible private sector program to fly humans to a star.

Let's throw out a few facts. The nearest star to our sun is about 40 trillion km away. For such a trip, our rocket technology is in its infancy, and it would take us over 4,000 years using today's fastest rockets. At the least, we will need revolutionary new rocket technology. But, this project is about more than rockets.

It must also consider many other issues such as coping with extended life in space; proper health and medical procedures; sustained food, water and air supplies; psychological effects; and self-governance.

Many are already asking if this is a good way to spend a million dollars of taxpayers' money. In our book, it is much better than wasting billions on programs that we know are losers. Anything that excites innovation and grey matter activity is a-okay with us. Who knows, this study may lead to a space vision for NASA.

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