Challenges with interstellar travel - Propulsion

The current technology we have for interstellar space travel is very limited, with slow speeds and outdated rockets. Our fastest rocket, Saturn 5, could only reach speeds of about 25,000 km per hour, which means it would take 188,000 years to reach the closest star system, Alpha-Centauri. Nuclear propulsion, either through fusion or fission, is not yet feasible for interstellar flights. Fission reactors have slow escape velocities and pulse nuclear thrusters have technical challenges to overcome, such as blast recoil and radiation exposure for the crew. Nuclear fusion, if fully developed, holds the most promise for solving these problems. However, currently, we have to make do with the limited technology we have and accept the odds that are stacked against us in interstellar travel.

Hector Vladimir 2025©