Part 7/14:
By 2050, fusion-powered spacecraft become commonplace, enabling rapid transit between Earth, Moon, and Mars. Ground-based beam propulsion and space elevators handle most of the heavy lifting, drastically reducing launch costs and risks. Asteroid-mining ships capture and process Near-Earth objects, transforming vast space resources into materials for construction and industry—no longer solely dependent on Earth’s finite reserves.
Meanwhile, advanced crew bio-enhancements enable humans to withstand radiation and the rigors of space. Space travel feels as safe as airline flights, thanks to mini-magnetosphere shields that create protective plasma bubbles around ships, shielding ships' delicate cargo—including living organisms and embryos—for long hauls through deep space.