Breakthrough Starshot: 1st Macroscopic Test of Longitudinal Acceleration

[greswd]

Breakthrough Starshot is an ambitious project that aims to use a superlaser to push a tiny craft up to 0.2 c
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakthrough_Starshot

At such speeds, it would be possible to perform a macroscopic test of the longitudinal acceleration, provided the craft has an accelerometer on itself.

$a=\frac{F}{γ^3m}$

The faster the craft, the less its acceleration. At 0.2 c, the difference is about 6%, small but very large by relativistic standards.

Maybe we're finally entering the era where relativistic effects will become extremely significant.

 

[andrew s 1905]

Maybe we're finally entering the era where relativistic effects will become extremely significant.

I thought they already had with the GPS being almost ubiquitous in modern technology. Nonetheless, a fascinating project.

Regards Andrew

 

[mfb]

Particle accelerators use longitudinal acceleration all the time.

 

[greswd]

Particle accelerators use longitudinal acceleration all the time.

you missed the word "macroscopic". the object being accelerated in this case is macroscopic

 

[mfb]

I missed that part, but I also don't see how it would be relevant.

 

[greswd]

I missed that part, but I also don't see how it would be relevant.

Its exciting to see relativistic effects at such a large extent.