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A generation ship is a hypothetical type of interstellar ark in which the journey between stars takes multiple human lifetimes. Inhabitants are born and die aboard the ship. Example: 'Orphans of the Sky' by Robert A. Heinlein.

The Orion Drive propels a ship by detonating a series of nuclear explosions behind the craft, pushing it forward. It's a form of nuclear pulse propulsion, mentioned in 'Footfall' by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.

Warp drive manipulates space-time to allow faster-than-light travel by creating a warp bubble that contracts space in front of it and expands it behind. Seen in the 'Star Trek' franchise.

Wormhole travel involves passing through a shortcut (wormhole) in the fabric of space-time, joining distant points in the universe. Seen in 'Interstellar' and 'Contact'.

FTL Communication is the method of exchanging information instantaneously over vast distances, sometimes using quantum entanglement. Found in 'Ender's Game' and other sci-fi works.

The Alcubierre Drive postulates a theoretical means of FTL travel by expanding and contracting space-time around a vehicle. Theoretical basis for warp drive in science fiction.

Stargates are portal devices that form wormholes allowing practical travel between widely separated points in space. Well-known from the 'Stargate' film and TV series.

Hyperdrive allows for instantaneous travel between two points by moving a ship into an alternate dimension known as hyperspace. Prominently used in the 'Star Wars' universe.

Quantum tunneling in sci-fi implies spaceships using the quantum phenomenon of tunneling through potential barriers to achieve faster-than-light travel. Less common in sci-fi narratives.

Space folding, or Foldspace, involves bending space so that distant points touch, allowing instant travel between them. Appears in 'Dune' series.

A Bussard Ramjet is a theoretical spacecraft that uses a magnetic field to collect interstellar hydrogen for fusion. This powers the vessel without needing onboard fuel. Mentioned in 'Tau Zero' by Poul Anderson.

Tachyon drive hypothesizes using tachyons, hypothetical particles faster than light, to break the light-speed barrier. Featured in various lesser-known science fiction stories.