A Space Mission to Earth's Nearest Black Hole: Reality or Science Fiction?

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[2607.10982] A Space Mission to Earth's Nearest Black Hole: Reality or Science Fiction?

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General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

arXiv:2607.10982 (gr-qc)

[Submitted on 13 Jul 2026]

Title:A Space Mission to Earth's Nearest Black Hole: Reality or Science Fiction?

Authors:Cosimo Bambi<br>View a PDF of the paper titled A Space Mission to Earth's Nearest Black Hole: Reality or Science Fiction?, by Cosimo Bambi

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Abstract:Black holes are the sources of the strongest gravitational fields in the present-day Universe, offering unparalleled opportunities to test Einstein's theory of General Relativity in the strong-field regime. In this talk, I will examine the prospect of sending small spacecraft on an interstellar mission to the nearest black hole. While highly speculative and fraught with technical challenges, such an endeavor is not entirely beyond the realm of possibility. Although the necessary technology does not yet exist, it may become available within the next 20 to 30 years. The mission itself could span 80 to 100 years, yet the scientific return would be profound and potentially unattainable through other means.

Comments:<br>12 pages, 3 figures. Talk given at the workshop "Frontier Research in Astrophysics - V" (Palermo, Italy, 15-20 June 2026)

Subjects:

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc); High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE)

Cite as:<br>arXiv:2607.10982 [gr-qc]

(or<br>arXiv:2607.10982v1 [gr-qc] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2607.10982

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arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

Submission history<br>From: Cosimo Bambi [view email]<br>[v1]<br>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 01:04:42 UTC (2,517 KB)

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