An extension of current technology is explored by Edward Gibson (a US Astronaut) in his novel “Reach” (1989). His spacecraft uses an ion drive to accelerate atoms of mercury to 1% of the speed of light and throws them out of the back. The drive does not use that much fuel, but it does use a lot of electricity (which can be provided by solar panels or nuclear reactors).

Cutting-edge technologies are extended by Paul Pruess in “Starfire” (1988) and David Mace in “Nightrider” (1987). Science knows that causing two atoms to fuse into a single atom generates a large amount of energy. These two authors describe propulsion systems where controlled fusion reactions are used in place of the chemical reactions in modern rockets. The advantage here is that fuel is used much more efficiently – you can go faster with less fuel.

More advanced technologies have also been considered. A ship could theoretically move by firing an extremely powerful laser. Individual photons, though of very, very low mass, move very quickly. This is an extension of the ion drive using smaller and faster-moving particles. This idea was explored by Larry Niven in “The Warriors” (1988).

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