Potential for Space Travel

Current astronomical research (via telescopes) is revealing that there are planets around other stars, some perhaps with conditions that might support life. See:

Getting there, however, will be the major hurdle. We have sent space probes to other planets in our solar system. With the best of current rocket technology it took three years for probes to reach Saturn. Using our above model, that’s three years to go 21.5 steps. How long would it take to go the 1.3 miles to the nearest star? Then, stars with potentially life supporting planets are much further. If kids aspire to explore exoplanets, they will first have to set their minds to to making breakthroughs in creating better/faster means of space travel. How about it?