What is the best scientific method to deep space travel

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the scientific methods for deep space travel, particularly focusing on the concept of warp drives and the potential for spreading Earth life to other habitable planets. Key points include the validity of Alcubierre's warp drive model, which theoretically allows for superluminal travel, but faces significant physical and energetic challenges. Participants suggest alternative methods for interstellar travel, such as nuclear drives and robotics, emphasizing the importance of biological and robotic solutions over faster-than-light travel. The conversation also touches on ethical considerations regarding the introduction of Earth life to other planets.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Alcubierre's warp drive model
  • Familiarity with nuclear propulsion concepts
  • Knowledge of robotics and their applications in space exploration
  • Awareness of ethical implications in astrobiology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the feasibility of Alcubierre's warp drive and its implications in modern physics
  • Explore nuclear propulsion technologies for interstellar travel
  • Investigate the role of robotics in long-duration space missions
  • Examine ethical frameworks for introducing Earth life to extraterrestrial environments
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, space exploration enthusiasts, and ethicists interested in the future of interstellar travel and the implications of spreading life beyond Earth.

  • #31
Well Chronos, considering you can't go faster than the speed of light, I'm not sure what you mean by infinitely fast.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #32
I believe "infinitely fast spacecraft " means "pretty d@*n quick". :biggrin:

It still comes down to the fact that to accelerate matter to near light speed requires a lot of energy, and one cannot avoid/escape the reality that there are limits to the energy density in man-made material systems. Sure stars can have plasma densities of 1022 protons/cm3, but the pressures are enormous, and no man-made system can handle that, especially at the high temperatures involved. Similar, we cannot build a craft that can travel to the center of the earth.
 
  • #33
Office_Shredder said:
Well Chronos, considering you can't go faster than the speed of light,

...in local space and by any physics that we understand.

We don't know that the limit is absolute which is why scientists play with ideas like warp drive. But it is silly to attempt resolving FTL paradoxes since it would required a physics that we don't know [and may not exist].
 
Last edited:
  • #34
Ivan Seeking said:
...in local space and by any physics that we understand.

We don't know that the limit is absolute which is why scientists play with ideas like warp drive. But it is silly to attempt resolving FTL paradoxes since it would required a physics that we don't know [and may not exist].
Doesn't the expansion of the universe cause distant galaxies to recede faster than the speed of light? Okay this is because of the expansion of the fabric of spacetime but the effect on matter is real none-the-less so perhaps an understanding of exactly what is involved in expanding spacetime would get us started in creating FTL ships.
 
  • #35
Art said:
Doesn't the expansion of the universe cause distant galaxies to recede faster than the speed of light? Okay this is because of the expansion of the fabric of spacetime but the effect on matter is real none-the-less so perhaps an understanding of exactly what is involved in expanding spacetime would get us started in creating FTL ships.

That's why I specified local space. :biggrin:

I think the idea of distant galaxies moving faster than light is speculative but now considered possible. I haven't kept up with this lately but I don't see how we could know that they exist.
 
  • #36
The best method for deep space travel is scientific methods. Warp drive is currently unfeasible, not to mention dangerous, and it seems you trekkies don't know much about evolution. In a nut shell, evolution takes baby steps every 400,000,000 years, give or take, without some catalyst. Anyone with any sense at all would not describe their methods for deep space travel on a physics forum, at least i wouldn't, until all the proper documents were in order for a government agency to review and hopefully approve testing on some minuscule level.
 
Last edited:
  • #37
Freshtictac said:
The best method for deep space travel is scientific methods. Warp drive is currently unfeasible, not to mention dangerous, and it seems you trekkies don't know much about evolution. In a nut shell, evolution takes baby steps every 400,000,000 years, give or take, without some catalyst. Anyone with any sense at all would not describe their methods for deep space travel on a physics forum, at least i wouldn't, until all the proper documents were in order for a government agency to review and hopefully approve testing on some minuscule level.
I'm not sure sure is weirder: the fact that you're responding to a post that's three years old, or the weird ramblings about traveling in deep space using scientific methods (as opposed to unicorn methods I suppose) and some spurious blurt about evolution. (Maybe we're supposed to evolve our scientific method of space travel?) :biggrin:

Anyway, don't bogart that joint my friend.
 
  • #38
DaveC426913 said:
I'm not sure sure is weirder: the fact that you're responding to a post that's three years old, or the weird ramblings about traveling in deep space using scientific methods (as opposed to unicorn methods I suppose) and some spurious blurt about evolution. (Maybe we're supposed to evolve our scientific method of space travel?) :biggrin:

Anyway, don't bogart that joint my friend.

:smile: I think that I would have to be using something stronger to write that.
 

Similar threads

High School Any Feasible Faster-Than-Light Interstellar Travel?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
High School Did anyone actually see the space moving faster than light?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Judge gets scientific method better than scientists
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Where (what) is an orbit? Where is Space?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
[Philosophy of science] Bias inherent in the Scientific Method itself?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Perceived Speed of Objects in Space
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Space Expansion/Time Travel (#IMAN00B)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Question about the Scientific Method
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Undergrad Can We Build a Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine for Space Travel?
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
6K
Writing: Input Wanted "Spacetime Drive" idea for sci-fi series of shorts
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K