Yes. A huge engineering problem. I hope to add to the sci-fi literature on how to do it.
I've already concluded that our current institutions are not only inadequate to the task, but will have to be cleverly co-opted or neutralized lest they become a hindrance. I think it makes for a great...
Absolutely. The social element is the most interesting. Presenting a plausible scenario for constructing an escape ship and the tech needed, is the backdrop to the sticky issue of how it would play out in today's society. Who gets a ticket would be one of a number of issues. But the devil's in...
1G gravity is the main motivation. If we build a rotating biosphere, eventually most of the life forms will want to settle on a nice cozy planet. Now I understand the logic in what you're proposing. It would make sense to stick around and utilize the solar system's resources until wise to leave...
Thanks. This is very helpful as it points out the incorrect assumptions I've made from Project Orion. My hypothetical being sci-fi, I can at least assume the theoretical limit of 3:1 for pusher plate technology, thus 6:1 for deceleration (though I expect less since the fuel weight is far less at...
Physics is a field with many fields. I have a degree in writing, which also has many fields.
In researching a matter outside my field, I would not look to a person(s) with a specialty in mechanical physics regarding quantum physics.
When I referenced Project Orion, the subject is one...
Ahem. I said that I probably mis-stated what "authority" proposed in Project Orion, and you countered with what "authority" says about the mechanics of space flight. Now for some reason the science community has not deigned to contradict the conclusions of Project Orion, only its safety. This...
Warp Drive is science fantasy. Science fiction is based on known technology/theory and extrapolating forward. So if I did use ftl, I'd have to explain it. And that could easily be done in my scenario, which is a simulated universe. Anyone who programs a model can insert a computer cheat. But...
Perhaps then I am mis-stating the Orion Project.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Orion_%28nuclear_propulsion%29#Interstellar_missions
In this reference:
Emphasis mine.
Gentlemen, I'm not proposing new science, or trying to defend the calculations of people far smarter than I...
Thanks for the catch! It is the calculations of Project Orion I'm interested in. The British version, Project Daedalus, was set up to launch a vehicle to Barnard's Star, 6 ly away in 50 years. So some other people far smarter than I have done the calculations. And thus I'm not qualified to...
I do anticipate the use of fusion reactors to power the ship. But I didn't know if hypothetical fusion rockets would out-perform fission a la Orion pusher plate. Now I'm obviously not a rocket scientist, so bear with me. I looked at what George Dyson outlined...
In my hypothetical example we have a distance of 10-15 ly to reach in 100-200 years. So a 15 ly journey taking 200 years works out to an average velocity of 50 million mph -- far greater than our Voyager 1's 35,000 mph, but only 0.075% of c.
In any case, I'm unfamiliar with the subject of...
Colony ship propulsion
Hello. I've identified a huge problem in my novel and would appreciate any help.
Short version:
How much mass can you safely move, given 100-200 years travel time, to a nearby star system using the world's nuclear stockpile for pulse propulsion? This would be...
It seems that both "sides" of the argument here are correct. In billy_boy's point of view, his hypothetical scenario effectively allows the spaceship to travel 10 LY with only 1 year passing for the craft's occupants. Meaning that while the craft is traveling, relativity "shortens" the 10 LY as...