With the advancements in propulsion and power production, interest grew

in staging the first interstellar expeditions. With the construction of huge 

space-based interferometers images of extra-solar planets abounded. 

There was a small terrestrial planet,  2nd in orbit around Proxima Centauri, that

showed spectroscopic signatures of oxygen, a sure sign of life. This was a 

prime target since it was only 4.2 light years away.  The United States built

the first interstellar craft capable of making such a journey. Christened the 

Santa Maria, in deference to Columbus' flag ship this spacecraft sported 

the latest technology. Top of the line 4th generation inertial drives provided

propulsion while the most advanced 3rd generation zero-point energy 

generators provided power. The Santa Maria could sustain over one gee

acceleration indefinitely and could make the round trip to the planet 

Proxima Centauri 2 in a little over ten years.

                                The Santa Maria in deep space