[hinkley]

If we never figure out FTL, if relativistic travel is hamstrung by blue shifting of particles and radiation in front of the craft, then the only other way we wander the galaxy is to hop over to a passing star.

The question is, can you make a ship fast enough to catch a star going past, or do you have to launch ahead of time. And do you have enough time in either case to decide if this one way trip is suicide or not.

Practically the window of opportunity for a favorable launch may not might not be that different than launching for Proxima Centauri. But at least you can soak up solar power and mine resources while you wait, instead of sitting in the dark the entire time.