The repellor beam became the key technology to open space. Inexpensive and energy efficient, it pushes away any mass within its beam. Or—in another sense—it pushes you away from any larger mass. It found immediate use in transportation, machinery, and even weapons. Friction-free bearings, non-explosive motive power, projectile expulsion, space travel, and much more.
In space, the repellor beam provided constant force at minimal energy. With no more need for expendable rockets, humankind quickly moved into space. Orbiting O’Neill colonies, moon bases, Mars, and asteroids. Travel between planets took mere hours instead of months.
Spacecraft quickly accelerated to significant fractions of the speed of light, something people had never yet accomplished. Surprising anomalies appeared against the long-held Theory of General Relativity, observed effects that no longer fit the theory. It seemed that Einstein was wrong about the limitation of light speed.
M.K. Radrashan did the most comprehensive study of the anomalies, creating the new theory of Radrashan physics that opened space to interstellar travel. Reaching the stars still had limits, but transit time was months to years instead of centuries. Colonies were possible, but they would be separated and on their own.
Even in the midst of its troubles on Earth, humankind rose to the challenge and excitement of building colony ships. Within a mere hundred years of the repellor beam, humans were established on five other planets.
Doc Honour Books 