http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/research/warp/warp.htmlHave you ever wondered when we will be able to travel to distant stars as easily as in science fiction stories? NASA Glenn's Marc Millis (pictured above), who has taken a break from Project Management for NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics (BPP) Project to return to conducting research, offers this assessment of the prospects for achieving the propulsion breakthroughs that would enable such far-future visions of interstellar travel.
This website focuses on the propulsion related issues, explaining the challenges of interstellar travel, existing propulsion ideas, and the possibilities emerging from scientific literature that may one day provide the desired breakthroughs. To simplify the presentation for the general public, analogies to familiar science fiction are used. This site is intended for public audiences, whereas researchers might want to check out the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project web site.
A warp drive is a theoretical propulsion system that allows for travel faster than the speed of light. It works by creating a warp field around a spacecraft, which then contracts space in front of the ship and expands it behind the ship, allowing for faster-than-light travel.
A warp drive works by creating a warp field, which is a bubble of distorted space-time around a spacecraft. This field is created by manipulating dark energy, a mysterious force that is thought to make up a large percentage of the universe. By expanding and contracting space, a warp drive can move a spacecraft through space at faster-than-light speeds.
At this time, warp drive technology is purely theoretical and has not been proven to be possible. However, some scientists believe that it could be achievable in the future with advancements in technology and understanding of dark energy. Currently, there are ongoing research and experiments being conducted to explore the potential of warp drive technology.
If warp drive technology were to become a reality, it could revolutionize space travel and exploration. It would allow us to travel to distant planets and stars in a fraction of the time it currently takes, making space exploration more feasible and efficient. It could also have implications for interstellar communication and the discovery of new civilizations.
As with any new technology, there could be potential drawbacks and limitations to warp drive technology. One concern is the immense amount of energy required to create and sustain a warp field, which could make it difficult and costly to use. There are also concerns about the potential effects on the fabric of space and time, as well as the safety of passengers traveling at such high speeds. Further research and testing would be needed to address these concerns.