Project Starshot

An artist's impression of a laser sail powered by directed energy. Credit: Q. Zhang/deepspace.ucsb.edu

Lasers will be able to send missions to Mars in just 45 days

A group of researchers proposes to build a spacecraft that will rely on an innovative propulsion system - in which lasers are used to heat hydrogen fuel - that can shorten the flight time to Mars to only 45 days instead of 100