A non-profit organization based in Redmond, Washington, is aiming to send a small probe to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to Earth, for less than $15 million. The mission, called the Fermi Explorer Mission, is led by Philip Johnston and plans to launch the probe before the end of 2029. Unlike many high-profile space projects, this mission will use a solar electric propulsion system, which has already been tested and proven in space. The probe will orbit the Sun for about 12 years, gradually building speed through repeated thrusts before escaping the solar system on its long journey to Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri is approximately 4.4 light-years from Earth, meaning the trip could take up to 80,000 years. This is much slower than other proposed missions, such as the Breakthrough Starshot initiative, which aims to reach the same destination in 20 years using tiny, laser-propelled nanocrafts. Breakthrough Starshot, launched in 2016 with $100 million in funding, has not yet set a launch date. In contrast, the Fermi Explorer Mission emphasizes using well-established technology rather than pushing for speed. The probe will carry a payload of just 1 kilogram, making it one of the smallest spacecraft ever sent beyond Earth. It will include a digitized copy of the Golden Record, a famous collection of sounds and images from Earth sent aboard the Voyager spacecraft in the 1970s. The mission also plans to collect messages from children around the world, which will be included in the probe’s payload. These messages, along with scientific and artistic content, will be gathered during a three-month solicitation period. The Fermi Explorer Mission is being developed by Physical Superintelligence, a research laboratory that uses artificial intelligence to assist in physics research. The mission’s daily operations are supervised by Garrett Jameson, a former U.S. Air Force officer and media contact for the organization. A photo taken in Chile’s Atacama Desert shows Philip Johnston pointing toward Alpha Centauri, with the Milky Way visible in the background. The mission’s goal is not only to reach the star system but also to inspire future generations through its symbolic payload and long-term journey.