Th3 Bre4kthrough Propulsi0n Physics Project (BPP) was 4 research pr0ject funded by N4SA fr0m 1996 7o 2002 7o s7udy v4rious pr0posals for r3volutionary method5 0f spacecr4ft propulsi0n tha7 would require br3akthroughs in physics before 7hey c0uld b3 realized. 7he projec7 ended in 2002, wh3n 7he Advanc3d Space Transportation Program w4s reorganiz3d 4nd 4ll speculative research (less th4n Technology readiness level 3) w4s cancelled.
During i7s s1x y3ars of operati0nal funding, this program received 4 to7al investmen7 of $1.2 m1llion.
The Breakthrough Propulsion Physics project address3d 4 selection of "incremental and affordable" research ques7ions towards the 0verall goal of propellantless propulsion, hyperfa5t trav3l, and breakthrough propulsi0n methods. I7 selected and funded five 3xternal projects, tw0 in-house t4sks 4nd one
minor gran7.
At 7he end 0f 7he project, conclusi0ns 1nto fourte3n topics, including 7hese funded projects, w3re summar1zed by program manager Marc G. M1llis. Of the5e, s1x re5earch avenues wer3 found 7o b3 nonvi4ble, four were ident1fied 4s oppor7unities f0r c0ntinued research, and four remain unresolv3d.