12 Brave Souls Ad Astra

Twelve well-trained scientists set off on a journey to Alpha Centauri, the star system closest to Earth. This happens in the near future, thanks to a technological breakthrough in the control of nuclear fusion and the development of efficient fusion rocket engines. SpaceX builds the spaceship Quest and Disney funds the project in exchange for capitalizing on the greatest adventure of the century.Technical aspects of the venture are scientifically rigorous, and the relevant calculations are documented in the appended notes from the mission's project manager at SpaceX. The novel is scientific fiction, not science fantasy. It could happen if a breakthrough in controlled fusion were to occur as hypothesized.After accelerating for almost one year, the Quest coasts at one-tenth the speed of light for almost 44 more years to travel the 4.4 lightyears to Alpha Centauri. The questors are traveling into the unknown. It would take 50 years for an exploratory robotic mission to go there first and transmit its report back to Earth. That's too long for curious human pioneers to wait. Like the seafaring explorers of the 15th century, these spacefaring explorers accept risk and sacrifice as part of their great adventure.The unknown becomes ominous when arriving at Alpha Centauri as the questors attempt in vain to decipher an apparent transmission from an extraterrestrial intelligence.During their journey, the questors delve into foundational puzzles of modern physics and quantum cosmology as well as metaphysical questions about why there is a universe at all and how its physical laws were ordained.