The tree · D
Drive
That propulsion puts the solar system within reach on human timescales.
5 nodes, 5 with probabilities. Listed leaves first (could resolve within five years), then mid-range, then the ones on the scale of the whole window.
- A nuclear-powered engine changes a spacecraft's orbit in space for the first time D-nuclear-propulsion-changes-orbit-in-space60%baseline scenario, estimated 2026-09-19Mid Open
- A crew lands on Mars and returns to Earth D-crew-round-trip-to-mars55%baseline scenario, estimated 2026-09-19Root Open
- A drive that could cross the solar system in weeks is fired in space D-constant-acceleration-drive-demonstrated3%baseline scenario, estimated 2026-09-19Root Open Long shot feeds T4
- A site beyond the Earth-Moon system is crewed without a break for a year D-permanent-crewed-site-beyond-the-earth-moon-system40%baseline scenario, estimated 2026-09-19Root Open feeds T3
- Nuclear propulsion is used on several missions a year D-nuclear-propulsion-in-routine-use50%baseline scenario, estimated 2026-09-19Root Open feeds T3