Original project · 2026

Complete star-system information

LHS 1140

A nearby red dwarf with a dense transiting super-Earth in its habitable-zone region.

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Host starLHS 1140

Cool M-type red dwarf

Distance from EarthApprox. 48.9 light-years

One-way light time: 48.9 years

Worlds listed here1

1 catalog candidates flagged for habitability discussion.

Communication round trip97.8 years

Before any scientific processing or response delay.

System architecture

LHS 1140

Star typeCool M-type red dwarf
ArchitectureA compact multi-planet system containing the dense transiting world LHS 1140 b.
How it is observedTransits and radial velocities provide both radius and mass constraints.
Research importanceLHS 1140 b is a major target for atmosphere and ocean-world studies.
Main uncertaintyInterpretations of atmosphere, water content and surface state are still developing.
Catalog worldLHS 1140 b
MeasurementsTransit plus radial velocity
Direct imageNo
Follow-up priorityHigh

System travel calculation

How long to reach LHS 1140?

This is the approximate distance from Earth to the host star system. Every listed planet in the system is effectively at the same interstellar distance for travel estimates.

At light speed48.9 years299,792 km/s

A physical reference only. A spacecraft with mass cannot reach light speed.

At 10% of light speed489 years29,979 km/s — hypothetical

No operational spacecraft can sustain this interstellar cruise speed.

At 1% of light speed4,890 years2,998 km/s — hypothetical

Still far beyond current spacecraft propulsion.

At Parker Solar Probe peak76,265 yearsAbout 692,000 km/h

Parker reaches this speed only very close to the Sun; it is not an interstellar cruise speed.

At New Horizons launch speed901,590 yearsAbout 58,536 km/h

A comparison using a real high-energy launch from Earth.

At Voyager 1 speed862,344 yearsAbout 61,200 km/h

A practical comparison with a spacecraft already moving into interstellar space.

Catalog worlds in this system

1 listed worlds

Primary catalog source: Science — 2026 atmosphere study ↗