Rockets and mass drivers each promise to launch humanity into space—but which approach will take us further, faster, smarter, and cheaper?

Watch my exclusive video The Fermi Paradox: Air https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-the-fermi-paradox-air

Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur

Get a Lifetime Membership to Nebula for only $300: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=isaacarthur

Use the link gift.nebula.tv/isaacarthur to give a year of Nebula to a friend for just $30.

Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net

Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur

Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.

SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE

Credits:

Mass Drivers vs Rockets

Episode 481; January 9, 2025

Written by: Isaac Arthur & Phil Swan

Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur

Editors: Phil Swan & Philip Leichauer

Graphics:

Anthrofuturism

Jarred Eagley

Katie Byrne

Mafic Studios

Phil Swan

Space Resources CGI

Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images 

Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator

Stellardrone, "In Time", "Red Giant"

Aerium, featuring Sieger, "Deiljocht"

Brandon Liew, "Into the Storm"

Special Thanks to: Transpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.