Intensive space exploration and colonisation of the late 23rd century revealed a troublesome gap in spacefaring technology: despite their state-of-the-art technology, the ships were not really that much different from the early rockets in terms of propulsion. Chemical and ion engines were expensive, inefficient, and slow, which was putting severe limitations on many types of space activity. However, Zoltan Cobrain's invention, the antimatter drive, revolutionised space travel: ships were getting smaller, faster and stronger all at once. While still limited by the laws of dimensional physics, humanity was able to explore its entire solar system like never before.