timewarrior2001

technology is already being investigated and has been for a long time.
NASA are developing an ION engine that produces constant acceleration.

as pointed out, we need to know how to stop, and stop fast in these circumstances and in the vacuum of space thats gonna be problematic.
Engery resources wouldnt be THAT important provided we had enough fuel for a burn to get us coasting back to Earth.

Distance is the problem, we are talking light years, we cant accelerate anything above particles to the speed of light so 50 light years is gonna take over 50 years to get there.

Still jsut because WE dont have the technology doesnt mean another life/race doesnt. Perhaps they perfected the ION engine hundreds of years ago?

The USA even investigated a Nuclear powered aircraft for long term recon missions. But decided it wasnt feasible.