The electromagnetic propulsion of future spacecraft

In this chapter, the question is posed of whether electromagnetic propulsion systems might theoretically be capable of taking a spacecraft carrying a human crew to the nearby stars on a timescale shorter than their lifespans? There is an analysis of a possible approach to achieving this, which shows that the engineering challenges are immense and unlikely to be met in the near future, Nevertheless, similar electromagnetic propulsion is likely to be involved in interplanetary transportation within the next century.