How fast did Dr Ryland Grace travel in the Hail Mary Project?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Twinduck
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Space
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Dr. Ryland Grace, the protagonist of the science fiction novel "Hail Mary," travels to Tau Ceti, located 12 light years from Earth, in a total of 13 years. His journey involves accelerating at 1.5g for the first half and decelerating at the same rate for the second half. After accelerating for 6.5 years, he reaches a significant fraction of the speed of light, which can be calculated using relativistic acceleration formulas. This discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding relativistic physics to grasp the implications of such high-speed travel.

PREREQUISITES
  • Relativistic physics concepts
  • Understanding of acceleration and deceleration
  • Familiarity with the formula for relativistic acceleration
  • Basic knowledge of light year as a distance measurement
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the formulas for relativistic acceleration
  • Explore the implications of traveling at significant fractions of the speed of light
  • Study the effects of constant acceleration on time dilation
  • Learn about the physics of interstellar travel
USEFUL FOR

Science fiction enthusiasts, physicists, and anyone interested in the theoretical aspects of space travel and relativistic physics.

Twinduck
Messages
11
Reaction score
3
For those of you who haven't read the book, it is a science fiction story in which a man named Dr Ryland Grace travels to Tau Ceti. The star is approximately 12 light years from Earth, and he got there in about 13 years, which for him was a 3 year journey. He is accelerating at 1,5g constantly for half the journey, then decelerating at 1.5g for the other half.

What percentage of the speed of light would he reach after accelerating at 1.5g for 6 and a half years?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you think and why? Googling for “relativistic acceleration” will find some useful formulas.
 

Similar threads

Some ideas on interstellar space travel
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
6K
How Can a Ship Safely Brake in Space Without Crushing Its Inhabitants?
  • · Replies 90 ·
4
Replies
90
Views
12K
Graduate Signal time in Twin Paradox: Fast clocks? Redshift/blueshift
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Graduate Calculating Warp Speeds and Travel Times Using Alcubierre Warp Drive
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
How Fast Did My Friend Travel to Alpha Centauri and Back?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad Travel time for a space ship at relativistic speeds
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
8K
Graduate Why Does the Traveling Twin's Clock Show Less Time in the Twin Paradox?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
Graduate Math of relativistic space travel
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
9K
Writing: Input Wanted Building a Generation Ship: The SFV Exodus
  • · Replies 96 ·
4
Replies
96
Views
11K
What if Gravity could be controlled?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K