Why Can’t Humanity Escape the Solar System?

Three Massive Shackles Bind Us Tightly

The dream of humanity exploring the stars and oceans should have intensified with technological advancements. However, in reality, the more we learn, the more disheartened we become about the universe.

Currently, humans are far from leaving the Milky Way; we are stuck at the very first stop, the solar system. Three massive shackles firmly bind our steps within it. What exactly are these formidable obstacles?

The First Stop at the Edge of the Solar System — The Kuiper Belt

The true extent of the solar system might be larger than you think. To clearly explore the edge of the solar system, we start with the first stop — the Kuiper Belt.

The Kuiper Belt is located beyond Neptune. Pluto, once considered the ninth planet of the solar system, was reclassified and included here. Thus, the Kuiper Belt is essentially a region composed of dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets.

Scientists believe that the Kuiper Belt likely formed alongside the solar system’s birth. Containing thousands of asteroids, it’s speculated that the current eight major planets formed through collisions among these asteroids.