Flight of the Dragonfly — Robert L. Forward

MISSION TO A DOUBLE PLANET. Powered by a revolutionary, laser-driven lightsail, the first manned interstellar probe would reach the bizarre double planet that circled Barnard's Star in a mere twenty years. The world's finest scientists had fought desperately for places on the expedition. They would arrive prepared for adventure, danger, and--most of all--the thrill of scientific discovery. But what they would learn, both from Rocheworld and the incredible minds that inhabited it, would surpass all their expectations.

Unlike so much "far out" science fiction, THE FLIGHT OF THE DRAGONFLY is based on the solid scientific reasoning of a world-class physicist. The weird intelligences of Rocheworld may be imaginary, but we could start work on Forward's laser-driven, two-stage probe tomorrow...