Starship project to put humans on another star in 100 years

An ambitious plan to put humans on another star within 100 years has received the backing of former US President Bill Clinton.

The 100 year Starship project, which was set up with US military seed funding, plans to develop huge 'starships' to send humans to other stars.

Next week it will meet to discuss the project and begin the huge task, the Daily Mail reported.

It has already received large amounts of funding, and Clinton has even stepped in to serve as the symposium's Honorary Chair.

"This important effort helps advance the knowledge and technologies required to explore space, all while generating the necessary tools that enhance our quality of life on earth," Clinton was quoted as saying by the paper.

The astronaut who became the first black woman in space in 1992 has been chosen to skipper the '100 Year Starship' project.

Mae Jemison will lead the project to explore what it would take for a multigenerational mission beyond the solar system.

"The 100 Year Starship will make the capability of human travel beyond our solar system to another star a reality over the next 100 years," she said.