Rockets are sexy and fast and they attract public attention. You can escape LEO with relatively small amounts of thrust if you have the time and the patience and the propellant, I'd say. I'm no science boffin, believe me, but I don't see huge physical problems with getting out there. Cost is another matter entirely, at this stage (see what I did there? ;-), however.

Once you're out into space, all manner of propulsion to get us from Point A to Point B exists. Light sails, Bussard ramjets, you name it. We could even build a space elevator -- using existing technology -- right now to get us into space and, from there, we can choose any manner of systems to leave LEO and head for the moon, Mars, the outer planets and the stars, given enough time (and energy). Again, it's about cost. And will. Do we have the will anymore? To me, that's an open question.

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"Politics is just show business for ugly people."