Is a Black Hole Engine Viable?

In summary, a 44-year-old theory suggests that alien civilizations could potentially harness the power of a black hole. While the physics behind this idea is sound, it would be impractical for our civilization to use this method as it would require living in orbit around a black hole, which is currently not feasible. There are more feasible and sustainable ways of obtaining energy for our society.
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MikeeMiracle
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TL;DR Summary
Penrose idea to sap angular momentum energy from a black hole via the Ergosphere plausible?
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  • #2
The physics is fine. But as a practical idea it makes no sense unless you live in orbit around a black hole. Getting our entire civilisation from here to a black hole would be a tiny bit challenging. From where we are, there are far easier ways of getting energy in a sustainable manner.
 

1. What is a Black Hole Engine?

A Black Hole Engine is a theoretical concept that proposes using the immense gravitational pull of a black hole to generate energy and propel a spacecraft. It would involve capturing and harnessing the intense gravitational forces near a black hole, potentially allowing for near-light speed travel.

2. Is a Black Hole Engine possible?

At this time, a Black Hole Engine is purely theoretical and has not been proven to be possible. While the concept is mathematically sound, the technology and materials needed to create such an engine are currently beyond our capabilities.

3. What are the potential benefits of a Black Hole Engine?

If a Black Hole Engine were to become a reality, it could revolutionize space travel by allowing for much faster and more efficient journeys across vast distances. It could also potentially provide a nearly limitless source of energy for powering spacecraft and other technologies.

4. What are the potential risks of a Black Hole Engine?

One of the main concerns with a Black Hole Engine is the potential danger to the spacecraft and its occupants. The extreme gravitational forces near a black hole could cause significant damage to the spacecraft, and the intense radiation emitted by black holes could also be harmful to humans.

5. Are there any current efforts to develop a Black Hole Engine?

While there have been some proposed designs and simulations of Black Hole Engines, there are currently no active efforts to develop one. The technology and understanding of black holes are still limited, making it a highly complex and challenging concept to bring to fruition.

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