Planetary Project

I chose Teegarden’s Star b because it is one of the closest Earth-mass exoplanets discovered, only about 12.5 light-years away, and it has a mass and energy intake similar to Earth’s. Scientists consider it to be in or near the star’s habitable zone, meaning liquid water might actually exist under the right conditions. The combination of proximity, Earth like mass, and potential habitability offered makes it a considerable candidate for imagining a new home planet

Teegarden’s Star b provides opportunities due to its Earth like mass, which means gravity could feel familiar and manageable for human life. Because it receives a similar amount of starlight to Earth, the planet may be able to maintain liquid water and a temperate climate if it has a stable atmosphere. Its close orbit around a faint star could also allow for efficient power generation using infrared optimized solar technology. Overall, it presents a promising environment for scientific exploration and potential colonization.

One major challenge is that the planet orbits extremely close to its small star, making tidal locking highly likely meaning one side may be in permanent daylight while the other remains dark. This could create extreme temperature differences and atmospheric instability. Red dwarf stars also emit strong solar flares and radiation that could strip away a planet’s atmosphere. Because the planet does not transit its star, we still do not know its radius, atmosphere, or true surface conditions, adding large uncertainties to any colonization plans.

Vehicles designed for Teegarden’s Star b would need strong radiation shielding to protect against stellar flares. They would also require advanced thermal regulation to handle sharp temperature contrasts between the day and night sides. Power systems might rely on infrared based solar panels or nuclear sources, since the star emits more in the infrared range. Because the atmosphere is unknown, vehicles may need to be sealed, pressurized, and capable of traveling on rough or unpredictable terrain, possibly with independent navigation because of the long communication delay with Earth

Scientists discovered Teegarden’s Star b using the radial velocity method , where precision spectrographs like CARMENES detect tiny wobbles in the star caused by orbiting planets. Follow-up observations from instruments such as ESPRESSO, MAROON-X, and TESS refined the planet’s orbital period (4.9 days), minimum mass (approx 1.1 Earth masses), and its possible position in the habitable zone. Climate models and computer simulations have explored whether it could support liquid water. The main scientific reports detailing this are Zechmeister (2019), whom first announced the discovery, and Dreizler (2024), whom revisited the system with newer data.

Teegarden’s Star b stands out as a realistic but challenging candidate for future exploration or settlement. Its Earth like mass and position near the habitable zone offer promising opportunities, yet its close orbit, possible tidal locking, and uncertain atmosphere require advanced engineering solutions. The vehicle design formulas covering radiation shielding, power generation, and torque requirements highlight at how scientific principles guide every part of mission planning. Although many conditions remain unknown, the research methods used to study the planet provide increasingly precise data, allowing us to design smarter, safer systems for operations on a world so different from our own.