Is There a Scientific Basis for 'Hyperspace' Travel in My Fictional World?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of 'Hyperspace' travel in a fictional context, specifically exploring how to incorporate scientific theories into a science fiction narrative. Participants examine various theoretical frameworks that could lend plausibility to the author's ideas about subspace travel and the implications of intersecting normal space.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) proposes that ships require a "weak spot" to access subspace and that objects in normal space create "Subspace Indents" that could pose dangers during travel.
  • One participant questions how ships would navigate if they travel faster than light, given the likelihood of encountering large objects in their path.
  • Another participant mentions a system of satellites and stations that monitor dangers and provide course corrections for ships in transit.
  • A suggestion is made to explore Wheeler's concept of quantum "foam," which involves the spaces between virtual particles and could theoretically allow for portals through space and time, albeit requiring significant energy.
  • Reference is made to Prof. Lisa Randall's ideas on extra dimensions, suggesting that access to a fourth spatial dimension could enable faster-than-light travel, while also noting that gravity's influence could complicate this travel near massive objects.
  • There is a positive response to the idea of extra dimensions, with one participant expressing appreciation for the explanation provided.
  • Concerns are raised about the OP's use of the term "scientific gibberish," with participants discussing the implications of such language on the discourse.
  • The OP clarifies that the remark was not intended to offend and appreciates the contributions made by others.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of ideas and theories, with no clear consensus reached on the plausibility of the proposed hyperspace travel mechanisms. Multiple competing views and interpretations of scientific concepts are present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference complex theoretical concepts such as quantum foam and extra dimensions, which may depend on specific definitions and assumptions that are not fully explored in the discussion. The implications of these theories on the proposed travel methods remain unresolved.

darkranger85
Hello,

I should put this disclaimer on here first, I'm not really sure if this is the right place to ask these questions or not so please, if this isn't the place, feel free to point me in the right direction. :)

I am a Science Fiction writer. And I'm polishing up the base idea for my book and I was hoping to put some scientific basis into it or at the very least make it sound good.

What I want to do is this. My ships move via a form of 'Hyperspace' but the difference between mine and most others is I don't simply flip a switch and the ship disappears into subspace.

1. My ships require some sort of "weak spot" in order to punch through into subspace.

2. While in hyperspace there is a danger. In my world, objects in 'normal space' indent subspace. So basically if your ship in subspace intersects the space where an object would be in normal space it would collided with this "Subspace Indent". For simplicity I'm simply going to assume that the object has to be of fair size to be considered. (i.e. a planet, star, comet, etc etc)

Now, basically my question is, is there any kind of theory or whatever that makes my method sound plausible and perhaps some scientific gibberish that I can use? lol

Any thoughts are very much welcome.

Thank you ahead of time! :)
 
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How would these ships travel? Assuming higher then light speed then more often then not there will be "a fair sized object" in its path.
 
I have a series of satellites and stations that constantly monitor dangers and transmit course corrections to ships in transit.
 
Look into Wheeler's notion of quantum "foam." These are spaces between the virtual particles that make up empty space (or something like that). Kip Thorne actually came up with a mathematical model that exploit the foam to create portals through space and time, but they require an absurd amount of energy density. "Negative energy" even, IIRC.
 
Prof. Lisa Randall "popularized" (comparatively speaking) the idea of extra dimensions in her book Warped Passages. I suggest you read the book, but here's my summary on the extra dimensions. These are thin, long, hollow folds of space (technically, spacetime) too "narrow" for any object or force except gravity to seep into. (In theory the extra dimensions absorb excess gravity, as it were, which explains why gravity is so weak compared to the other fundamental forces.) Suppose you find a weak spot that allows access into and through a fourth spatial dimension; and that enables you to travel at a faster-than-light speed as observed from within the ordinary 3D-space. But since gravity seeps into the extra dimension, your travel could be impeded by the presence of massive objects nearby.
 
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EnumaElish said:
But since gravity seeps into the extra dimension, your travel could be impeded by the presence of massive objects nearby.
Very nice, EnumaElish! I like that.
 
Grep said:
Very nice, EnumaElish! I like that.
Thanks; frankly I hesitated before posting this because of OP's "scientific gibberish" remark; I think it's borderline offensive and self-defeating.
 
[URL]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/nfforums/NF%20smilies/15gch6u.png[/URL]
 
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EnumaElish said:
Thanks; frankly I hesitated before posting this because of OP's "scientific gibberish" remark; I think it's borderline offensive and self-defeating.

I apologize, I didn't mean for it to be offensive. I was thinking of Stargate SG1 where Sam Carter goes rambling on about stuff that the people around her don't understand.

I do appreciate your input though. :)
 
  • #10
http://www.eurekalert.org/features/doe/2001-10/dbnl-gil053102.php
 
  • #11
Thank you guys very much!

This information will be very useful!
 

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