Kepler 22b, the first planet discovered in its parent star's habitable zone by the Kepler mission, is a candidate for harboring life. Current technology indicates that a Hoffmann transfer to reach Kepler 22b would require a delta-v calculation, but it is not feasible with existing spacecraft, which would take tens of millions of years to arrive, given its distance of approximately 600-620 light-years. Future exploration may focus on detecting chemical signatures of life in its atmosphere, a capability expected to develop within the next decade or two.
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As D H indictated, it would take current spacecraft millions of years to get there (~600-620 ly).tinypositrons said:People are saying that Kepler 22b looks like it may harbour life. How could we ever know? I was just wandering, but what would the delta v be to do a Hoffmann transfer (if this works on an interstellar scale) to Kepler 22b?