Complete world information

TRAPPIST-1e

Its size and orbit make it one of the most frequently discussed potentially habitable exoplanets.

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Scientific status

No exoplanet is confirmed habitable or inhabited. Habitable-zone position only means that liquid surface water could be possible under the right atmospheric conditions. Rate the Earth percentages are editorial comparison scores, not scientific probabilities.

Rate the Earth habitability percentages are editorial comparison scores, not scientific proof of habitability or life.
NASA / JPL-Caltech artist conceptTRAPPIST-1 system concept
Rate the Earth habitability comparison58%
Potential candidate — not confirmed habitable
Probability of other life36%
Candidate for simple life
Distance modelApprox. 40.7 light-years

The listed value is the approximate present distance from Earth. Interstellar destinations move, but the difference is negligible compared with the enormous journey time at current spacecraft speeds.

One-way light time40.7 years

Minimum delay for information travelling at light speed.

Round-trip communication81.4 years

Approximate send-and-reply delay before processing time.

Real mission comparisonBeyond current mission capability

No spacecraft has travelled to this system

Host systemTRAPPIST-1Open the complete star-system information page →

Life potential

Could other life exist on TRAPPIST-1e?

TRAPPIST-1e is treated as a potentially habitable candidate, so this site assigns it a moderate editorial probability for simple non-human life.

Editorial probability of other life36%
Candidate for simple life

Why this score?

  • Rate the Earth habitability comparison score: 58%.
  • Atmosphere clue: Unknown.
  • Host-star context: Ultracool M-type dwarf.
  • The catalog flags this world as a potentially habitable candidate.

This probability is an editorial astrobiology estimate based on public characteristics, not a formal scientific measurement.

Complete data sheet

Everything listed for TRAPPIST-1e

Measured values, estimates, discovery information and the main uncertainties are shown together below.

WorldTRAPPIST-1e
ClassificationRocky exoplanet
Host systemTRAPPIST-1
Host starUltracool M-type dwarf
Distance from EarthApprox. 40.7 light-years
RadiusAbout 0.92 × Earth
MassAbout 0.69 × Earth
GravityAbout 0.93 g (estimate)
AtmosphereUnknown
TemperatureModel-dependent
Orbital period6.1 days
Discovery year2017
Discovery methodTransit
Habitability statusPotential candidate — not confirmed habitable
Candidate classificationPotentially habitable candidate — not confirmed habitable
Image statusNo resolved surface image; displayed visual is a labelled artist concept
DistanceAbout 40.7 light-years
Planet typeRocky, Earth-size
Orbital periodAbout 6.1 days
Host starUltracool red dwarf

Travel calculation

How long would the journey take?

Straight-line arithmetic is compared with real mission history. Actual trajectories depend on orbital mechanics, acceleration, braking, launch windows and gravity assists.

At light speed40.7 years299,792 km/s

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

At 10% of light speed407 years29,979 km/s — hypothetical

No operational spacecraft can sustain this interstellar cruise speed.

At 1% of light speed4,070 years2,998 km/s — hypothetical

Still far beyond current spacecraft propulsion.

At Parker Solar Probe peak63,476 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 speed750,403 yearsAbout 58,536 km/h

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

At Voyager 1 speed717,738 yearsAbout 61,200 km/h

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

Research guide

What we know, and what we do not know

What is directly known

The planet itself is not resolved as a detailed globe. Its existence and properties are inferred mainly through transit, together with measurements of the host star.

What remains unknown

Surface geography, oceans, continents, clouds and living organisms have not been directly observed. Atmosphere and composition may also remain uncertain.

What is known

TRAPPIST-1e is close to Earth in size and density and orbits within the compact seven-planet TRAPPIST-1 system.

Habitability limits

Atmosphere, radiation environment and tidal locking remain major unknowns.

Why it stands out

Its measured size and density make it one of the stronger rocky-world candidates for future atmospheric study.

Primary catalog source: NASA Science