You have ion engines. If you want to reach the edge of the solar system you would need nuclear electric ion propulsion.
Then there are other alternatives like Project Orion i.e. nuclear pulse propulsion.
China's Space Program News Thread
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You have ion engines. If you want to reach the edge of the solar system you would need nuclear electric ion propulsion.
Then there are other alternatives like Project Orion i.e. nuclear pulse propulsion.
That's why you change what you use. Chemical rockets have limitations, as you note. You use electrical propulsion in the outer solar system. It's been done by NASA (Dawn, frex). China did its first flight example in 2012, unless I am mistaken.
The Long March 5B and the Chinese Space Station (CSS)'s Tianhe Core Module during roll-out to the launch pad at Wenchang.
Launch is scheduled for April 29.
Launch is scheduled for April 29.
And one close-up via Henri Kenhmann - rubbing my hands now
“The “Tianhe” core module (天和, literally celestial harmony) of the future Chinese space station as well as its CZ-5B Y2 launcher were transferred to the launch pad on Friday 23 April. Take-off would be scheduled for the 29th.”
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