Another element of science fiction may be science fact. Space travel is incredibly expensive because current technologies rely on rockets, and rockets rely on fuel. Fuel-less systems exist, like tethers and solar sails, but they are limited. NASA may have produced a propulsion system that uses no fuel. Instead, it carefully bounces electromagnetic waves in a precise fashion to create momentum. It was, and is, being treated with skepticism, but at least it is being tested; and apparently is passing every test. If it works, interplanetary travel becomes much cheaper, quicker, and safer. We may need rockets to get off the planet, but after we’re in space, space becomes part of our neighborhood instead of the local wilderness.
“Evaluating NASA’S Futuristic EM Drive” – NASA
Pretending Not To Panic 