Alcubierre Drive & Bending of Spacetime

In summary, the Alcubierre drive, which bends spacetime to achieve faster-than-light travel, would not significantly affect other matter in its vicinity due to the limited range of spacetime bending and the high energy densities involved. Launching from a solid surface or within an atmosphere may not be feasible, and there is a possibility that the destination would be obliterated due to radiation rather than curvature.
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jsk108
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Hello,

I've been wondering about this... If something like the Alcubierre drive is possible, that bends spacetime around it in order to reach great distances faster, why would this not affect other matter in its vicinity? If I'm understanding correctly, in order to move faster than light, a big chunk of spacetime would need to be contracted in front and expanded behind such a spaceship; in that case, if the ship was near a planet or within the planet's atmosphere, how would that not cause the planet to also bend/warp?
 
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The spacetime geometries discussed typically do not have large spacetime bending far (many times the bubble diameter) away from the bubble. But with the energy densities involved, you probably don't want to launch from a solid surface or in an atmosphere anyway.
 
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Papers like the following suggest the destination would be obliterated, but due to radiation not curvature:

https://arxiv.org/abs/1202.5708
 
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1. How does the Alcubierre Drive work?

The Alcubierre Drive is a theoretical propulsion system that uses the bending of spacetime to enable faster-than-light travel. It works by creating a bubble of spacetime around the spacecraft, in which the fabric of spacetime is compressed in front of the bubble and expanded behind it. This allows the spacecraft to move through space without actually breaking the speed of light.

2. Is the Alcubierre Drive possible?

Currently, the Alcubierre Drive is only a theoretical concept and has not been proven to be possible. While the mathematics behind it are sound, the drive would require an enormous amount of energy and exotic matter, which we currently do not have the technology to produce. However, some scientists are still researching and exploring the possibility of this type of propulsion system.

3. How would the Alcubierre Drive affect time?

The Alcubierre Drive would not directly affect time, as the spacecraft would still be moving through time at a normal rate. However, due to the warping of spacetime around the bubble, time would appear to pass differently for an outside observer. This means that the spacecraft could potentially arrive at its destination faster than expected, but the passengers on board would not experience any time dilation.

4. What are the potential dangers of the Alcubierre Drive?

One of the potential dangers of the Alcubierre Drive is the potential for creating a large amount of radiation and particles in front of the bubble, which could be harmful to the spacecraft and its passengers. Additionally, the manipulation of spacetime could have unforeseen consequences on the fabric of the universe, potentially causing disruptions or damage to the surrounding space.

5. Could the Alcubierre Drive be used for time travel?

The Alcubierre Drive is not intended for time travel and would not be able to transport a spacecraft to a specific point in time. However, due to the effects of time dilation, it could potentially allow a spacecraft to arrive at a destination before it left its point of origin, creating the illusion of time travel for an outside observer.

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