Interstellar space travel may may be possible using lasers and antimatter
While interstellar journeys have been explored by researchers, one
type of mission has not received much attention, namely the interstellar
rendezvous and return mission that could be accomplished on timescales
comparable with a working scientist's career.
Such a mission would involve an initial boost phase followed by a
coasting phase to the target star system. Next would be the deceleration
and rendezvous phase, which would be followed by a period of scientific
data gathering.
Finally, there would be a second boost phase, aimed at returning the
spacecraft back to the solar system, and subsequent coasting and
deceleration phases upon return to our solar system.
Such a mission would represent a precursor to a future manned
interstellar mission; which in principle could safely return any
astronauts back to Earth.
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