// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM

Red Dwarf

A red dwarf is a small, cool, and dim star, much smaller than our Sun, that burns its fuel very slowly and has an extremely long lifespan.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

A red dwarf is a main-sequence star of spectral type M or late K, characterized by its low mass (0.075 to 0.5 solar masses), low surface temperature (2,500-4,000 K), and low luminosity, making it the most common type of star in the Milky Way with exceptionally long lifespans.

BACKGROUND

Private spaceflight companies include non-governmental or privately owned entities focused on developing and/or offering equipment and services geared towards spaceflight, both robotic and human. This list includes both inactive and active entities.

READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIA

SYNONYMS & ALIASES

  • M-dwarf
  • K-dwarf (late)
  • low-mass star

USAGE NOTE

Red dwarfs are increasingly studied for their potential to host habitable exoplanets, despite their frequent flaring activity.

RELATED TERMS IN PLANETARY SCIENCE