Beyond Boundaries with Julian Morraine (EP - 1_1): Why Proxima Centauri b? The Journey of a Lifetime
Why Proxima Centauri b? The Journey of a Lifetime
By Julian Morraine
July 2nd, 2035
Introduction: The Call of the Unknown
When I first heard about the possibility of visiting Proxima Centauri b, my initial reaction was a mixture of excitement and disbelief. A planet orbiting our nearest stellar neighbor, just over four light-years away, with the potential to host life? It sounded like something straight out of a science fiction novel. But that was over a decade ago, before the Zarumin made contact and everything changed.
As someone who has spent a lifetime exploring the far corners of Earth, the prospect of venturing beyond our solar system was both thrilling and daunting. This wasn’t just about discovering new foods, cultures, or landscapes—this was about stepping into the unknown, exploring a world entirely different from our own. Now, with the Zarumin’s invitation extended to humanity and the means to get there in our hands, that distant world is closer than ever. And as I sit here on Earth, just days away from embarking on this journey, I find myself reflecting on what has brought me to this point, what lies ahead, and what it all means.
The Journey: A Voyage Across the Stars
Traveling to Proxima Centauri b is no small feat, even with the technological leap provided by the Zarumin. Their first contact with Earth was nothing short of a revelation. In the ten years since that momentous event, the Zarumin have shared knowledge that propelled our understanding of space travel to levels we’d only dreamed of. With their guidance, humanity has built ships capable of traveling at 50% of the speed of light and developed hibernation technology to endure the lengthy journey. The trip, which would have taken over tens of thousands of years, can now be experienced in the span of what feels like days to those in hibernation.
The first mission to Proxima Centauri b left Earth in mid-2030, carrying 1,000 of our brightest scientists, engineers, and leaders. Since then, a new mission has departed every 18 months, each bringing another thousand souls to explore this new world. By the time I depart in July 2035, there will have been three launches before mine, meaning 3,000 people would have already arrived on Proxima Centauri b.
Most of these travelers are committed to a five-year stay, immersing themselves in the planet's unique environment and culture. The extended duration allows for meaningful research, deeper cultural exchange, and a sustainable human presence on the planet. However, by the time I arrive in December 2043, the first group of 1,000 visitors will have just left on the very first return journey to Earth.
When I and the rest of my travel group land, we will join a community of around 2,000 people still on Proxima Centauri b. These are the pioneers, the ones who have spent years building relationships with the Zarumin, conducting vital research, and preparing the way for future explorers like myself.
Preparation: A Journey Like No Other
Preparing for a journey like this is unlike anything I’ve ever done before. While I’m no stranger to long trips and remote destinations, the prospect of leaving Earth behind for nearly two decades required a different level of preparation—both physically and mentally.
First, there were the medical exams. Given the complexities of space travel and the unique challenges posed by hibernation, I underwent rigorous testing to ensure my body could handle the journey. The hibernation process, while revolutionary, isn’t without risks. My metabolism will slow to a fraction of its normal rate, and my body will require careful monitoring throughout the trip. I had to prepare for this by following a strict regimen of diet, exercise, and medical procedures to minimize the risks associated with prolonged inactivity.
Then there was the psychological preparation. Knowing that I’ll be stepping outside the flow of time, waking up years later on a completely different planet, has a way of messing with your mind. I spent weeks working with psychologists and counselors, discussing everything from my hopes and fears to how I’ll cope with the changes that will have occurred during my absence. It’s one thing to travel to a new country or continent—it’s another to wake up in a world that’s evolved while you were asleep.
Packing for the trip was another challenge. I’ve always traveled light, but this time I had to think differently. The essentials—clothing, toiletries, and a few personal items—were easy. But what do you bring on a journey where you’ll be leaving everything familiar behind? I decided to bring a few mementos from home—photos of my family, a favorite book, a journal to document my thoughts. But I also left room for the unexpected, knowing that I’ll likely acquire new items, new memories, during my time on Proxima Centauri b.
The Spacecraft: A Marvel of Modern Engineering
The spacecraft that will carry me to Proxima Centauri b is a marvel of modern engineering. Built with the help of Zarumin technology, it’s a sleek, advanced vessel designed to sustain human life in the harsh conditions of deep space. The ship, named Venturer, is equipped with all the latest technologies to ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers.
Venturer is divided into several sections, each serving a specific purpose. There’s the hibernation chamber, where I’ll spend most of the journey, surrounded by the soft hum of life support systems that will monitor my vitals and ensure I wake up safely on the other side. There are the living quarters, a space designed for the waking passengers, complete with exercise equipment, dining facilities, and social areas to foster interaction among the crew. The ship also has a state-of-the-art medical bay, staffed by both human and Zarumin doctors, ready to handle any medical emergencies that might arise during the journey.
Perhaps most impressive is the ship’s propulsion system. Utilizing a combination of fusion drives and exotic matter, Venturer is capable of reaching 50% of the speed of light—an incredible feat that allows us to make the journey to Proxima Centauri b in just 8.5 years. While this speed is still far from instant, it’s a significant leap forward in our ability to explore the cosmos.
I’m not making this journey alone. Among the thousand passengers on board are scientists, engineers, and cultural emissaries from all over Earth. While I’ve spent much of my career traveling solo, this trip will be different. I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting some of my fellow travelers during the preparatory stages, and it’s clear that this is a unique group of individuals—people driven by curiosity, passion, and a desire to push the boundaries of what we know. I’m particularly excited to reconnect with Dr. Sophia Everett, an astrobiologist I met years ago while filming a series on deep-sea ecosystems. She’s one of the leading experts on extraterrestrial life, and her insights will be invaluable as we explore Proxima Centauri b together.
Finding Proxima Centauri b: A Glimpse Into the Night Sky
For those of you still on Earth, you might wonder how to find Proxima Centauri b in the night sky. Proxima Centauri, the star that our destination orbits, is part of the Alpha Centauri star system, which is the closest star system to our own. It’s visible from the Southern Hemisphere and parts of the Northern Hemisphere. On a clear night, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, look towards the constellation of Centaurus. Proxima Centauri is a faint red dwarf, much dimmer than the other stars in the sky, but with a telescope or even a good pair of binoculars, you can catch a glimpse of the star that our ship will be heading towards.
It’s humbling to think that the tiny dot of light in the sky is home to a world so rich in life and culture. As you gaze up at the night sky, know that somewhere out there, on that distant world, the Zarumin are doing the same—looking up at the stars and wondering about us.
The Uncertainty of Return
As I prepare for this journey, there’s one sobering reality that I can’t ignore: by the time I arrive on Proxima Centauri b, no return flight will have yet made it back to Earth. While passenger lists and communication will confirm that they have left the planet and are enroute back home, the 8.5-year journey means that their safe arrival will be years away.
This uncertainty is a stark reminder of the risks involved. We know that most, if not all, of the travelers intend to return to Earth after spending five years on the planet, but as of now, their stories, their experiences, and even their fates remain in transit, suspended in the vastness of space. The first return journey, carrying the 1,000 pioneers who initially set foot on Proxima Centauri b, will have just departed by the time I arrive. The remaining 3,000, including myself, will continue the work they started, knowing that our own return journey is still years away.
It’s a humbling thought, knowing that when I step onto Proxima Centauri b, I’ll be joining a pioneering group whose journey back to Earth is still in progress. There’s no guarantee—only hope, and the determination to push forward in the name of exploration and discovery.
Why Proxima Centauri b?
So why am I doing this? Why leave behind everything I know and love—my family, my friends, my home—to travel to a distant planet in another star system? The answer is both simple and complex.
Proxima Centauri b is one of the most intriguing exoplanets we’ve discovered. Located within the habitable zone of its star, Proxima Centauri, we knew it had the potential to support liquid water—a key ingredient for life as we know it. When the Zarumin made contact and confirmed the existence of their civilization on Proxima b, the scientific community was electrified. Here was proof that we were not alone in the universe, that life—intelligent life—had evolved elsewhere, and they were willing to share their knowledge with us.
But beyond the scientific curiosity, there’s a deeper reason for this journey. As a species, we’ve always been driven by the desire to explore, to push beyond the horizon and see what lies on the other side. It’s in our nature, this need to discover, to understand. And in a time when our own planet is facing unprecedented challenges, from climate change to political instability, the exploration of Proxima Centauri b represents a beacon of hope—a reminder that there is still so much out there to discover, that our story is far from over.
For me, personally, this journey is the culmination of a lifetime of exploration. I’ve traveled to some of the most remote and inhospitable places on Earth, tasted foods I never imagined, and met people whose lives and stories have enriched my own. But this—this is something entirely different. It’s the ultimate adventure, the final frontier. And while there’s no guarantee of what I’ll find when I arrive, the very act of going is enough.
The Hibernation Factor: A Journey Through Time
One of the most intriguing aspects of this journey is the use of hibernation. While the trip to Proxima Centauri b will take 8.5 years, I won’t be conscious for most of it. Instead, I’ll be in a state of deep sleep, my body’s metabolic processes slowed down to a crawl. In many ways, it’s like stepping outside the flow of time. When I wake, the world will have moved on without me, and I’ll find myself on the surface of a new planet, with only the memories of leaving Earth and the dreamlike state of hibernation in between.
This idea of "stepping outside time" is both comforting and disconcerting. On one hand, it’s a way to bypass the isolation and monotony of a long space journey. On the other, it means that the passage of time will be something abstract—something I won’t fully experience. When I arrive on Proxima Centauri b, I’ll have crossed four light-years in the blink of an eye, but the world I left behind will have aged nearly a decade.
The physical effects of hibernation are still being studied, but I’ve been assured that the technology is safe and reliable. There’s something both magical and unsettling about the idea of waking up in a completely different place, with the journey itself a mere memory. But that’s the nature of exploration—pushing the boundaries of what we know, even when it means embracing the unknown.
How Long Will I Stay?
The plan is to spend five years on Proxima Centauri b, exploring the planet, gathering data, and sharing my experiences with the world. That’s another five years added to the 17-year round trip, bringing the total time away from Earth to nearly 22 years. During my time on the planet, I’ll be awake and fully present, immersing myself in the environment and culture of this new world. I’ll be joining a small but growing community of humans who are living and working alongside the Zarumin, learning from them and contributing to our shared understanding of the universe.
But there’s always the possibility that I may never return. The ship is designed to bring me back, but the universe is unpredictable, and the risks are real. Some who came before me have already made the decision to stay, drawn by the allure of a new world and the challenges it presents. Perhaps I’ll feel the same once I’m there.
Will I Ever Return to Earth?
That’s the question everyone keeps asking me. Will I ever come back? Will I ever see Earth again? The honest answer is that I don’t know. I want to return—I want to see my family, my friends, the places I’ve called home. But I also know that this journey will change me in ways I can’t yet imagine. And once I’ve seen Proxima Centauri b, once I’ve experienced life on another world, I’m not sure I’ll be the same person who left.
But isn’t that the point of exploration? To be changed by the experience, to see the world—and yourself—in a new light? Whether I return to Earth or not, I know that this journey will be the defining moment of my life. It’s a chance to push beyond the limits of what we know, to explore new frontiers, and to discover the unknown.
Final Thoughts: The Journey Ahead
As I prepare to leave Earth behind and embark on this incredible journey, I’m filled with a sense of anticipation, excitement, and yes, a little bit of fear. But above all, I’m grateful—for the opportunity, for the support of those who believe in this mission, and for the chance to do something truly extraordinary.
This isn’t just a journey to another planet—it’s a journey into the unknown, into the very heart of what it means to be human. It’s a chance to explore, to discover, to understand. And while I don’t know what lies ahead, I’m ready to face it, whatever it may be.
So here’s to the journey, to the adventure, and to the endless possibilities that await us. I’ll see you on the other side.
Julian Morraine is a celebrated travel writer, chef, and documentarian known for his relentless pursuit of the extraordinary. From the bustling markets of Marrakesh to the remote highlands of Tibet, Julian has spent his life exploring the world's most fascinating cultures and cuisines. With a passion for storytelling and a deep curiosity about the unknown, Julian's work has taken him to the farthest corners of Earth—and now, beyond it. His latest journey to Proxima Centauri b marks a new chapter in his career, as he ventures into the final frontier in search of new experiences and untold stories.
Julian’s adventures have been chronicled in numerous best-selling books and award-winning documentaries, making him a beloved figure among those who share his love for exploration. Whether he's sampling street food in Bangkok or navigating the icy landscapes of Antarctica, Julian Morraine continues to inspire with his boundless enthusiasm and insatiable curiosity.
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