As the 21st century unfolds, radically different forms of air and space vehicles will replace the clunky machines of today, whisking passengers at ultra-high speed around the Earth and outward into space.Laboratories scattered around the world are delving into novel and exotic forms of propulsion. Breakthrough physics could well make possible ambitious human treks across interstellar distances. Work is underway to harness antimatter as a way to shave travel time to the Moon down to minutes, or between Earth and Mars to a day. Meanwhile, laser and microwave technology is rapidly advancing the idea of beaming people and payloads effortlessly into Earth orbit, making fuel-guzzling rocketry look like the horse and buggy of yesteryear.

Nearly 100 years after the epoch-making exploits of the Wright Brothers -- the first successful sustained powered flights in a heavier-than-air machine -- visionary scientists and engineers see "far-reaching" ways to turn solar system touring into a Sunday drive.

View: Full Article | Source: space.com