Laser-Propelled Metajets Point Toward a 20-Year Alpha Centauri Runway
Texas A&M researchers demonstrated laser-driven metajets—ultrathin, patterned devices—that can be steered in three dimensions by transferring photon momentum, with potential to scale to larger craft and, given enough laser power, enable a ~20-year voyage to Alpha Centauri; experiments were conducted in a fluid environment to observe controllable motion and microgravity tests are planned for space readiness.
