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Advanced Rocket Propulsion Technologies for Long-Range Space Travel?

-- | June 26, 2015

Question: Asking a theoretical question, in your own personal opinion what would be the most practical method of launching a probe to a nearby star (say, within 10 light years). Would our best bet to be launching a conventional chemical-rocket propelled probe as fast as we could manage on a gravity slingshot and waiting a century or so? Would some other option (which may or may not have been operationally built yet) within our current technological means seem like a better bet?

To be clear, asking for your opinion, not the current consensus (if one exists on the subject).

— Tim

Answer: At the present time, conventional chemical-rocket propelled space probes which use gravity-assist are the mode of choice for long-distance space travel.  I am not aware of any long-range propulsion technologies currently being considered or under development that could provide an improved efficiency for such long-range space travel.

Jeff Mangum