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Consider that to reach the "nearest" star (which has no detectable planetary system, btw) with the fastest spaceship we can build would take 38,000 years. And before you talk about FTL (faster than light) warp drive, please show me how you can build a warp drive (other than on Star Trek) w/o violating the laws of physics.
But y'know, at a constant 1 G acceleration Jupiter is only two weeks away. I G constant acceleration makes the stars much closer than one might think, as it takes much less elapsed time than one might think to achieve, say, 90% of lightspeed.
If, as we are constantly told, we are capable of correcting the environmental problems caused by technology (a very big 'if', I agree) we can certainly design a self-contained, self-sustaining environment inside an asteroid about 5 miles long. With that caveat, and one G constant acceleration, the generation ship is completely viable.
This violates none of the known laws of physics.
[1 point]4 years ago by dauguyReplyEdited 4 years ago by dauguy
Sorry, that's the SciFi cop-out answer. The laws of physics don't change. That's what makes them laws. Our understanding of gravity may change, but gravity doesn't change. Even with a constant 1G acceleration and achieving 90% of C, the nearest star with planets that we know of would be decades away. Not weeks, not months, not years... decades. And a decades long self sustaining environment in deep space, w/o sunlight would be a lot more difficult than just wishing it so.
I truly believed we would reach the stars until I was in my 40s. then I realized the odds on making it to the next century with any kind of highly technological society were so poor as to completely preclude even Mars, much less the stars. I sat and cried, I am not ashamed to admit.
United States
Maybe in a few hundred years if we don't kill each other off first.
Consider that to reach the "nearest" star (which has no detectable planetary system, btw) with the fastest spaceship we can build would take 38,000 years. And before you talk about FTL (faster than light) warp drive, please show me how you can build a warp drive (other than on Star Trek) w/o violating the laws of physics.
The laws of physics as we now know them.
But y'know, at a constant 1 G acceleration Jupiter is only two weeks away. I G constant acceleration makes the stars much closer than one might think, as it takes much less elapsed time than one might think to achieve, say, 90% of lightspeed.
If, as we are constantly told, we are capable of correcting the environmental problems caused by technology (a very big 'if', I agree) we can certainly design a self-contained, self-sustaining environment inside an asteroid about 5 miles long. With that caveat, and one G constant acceleration, the generation ship is completely viable.
This violates none of the known laws of physics.
Sorry, that's the SciFi cop-out answer. The laws of physics don't change. That's what makes them laws. Our understanding of gravity may change, but gravity doesn't change. Even with a constant 1G acceleration and achieving 90% of C, the nearest star with planets that we know of would be decades away. Not weeks, not months, not years... decades. And a decades long self sustaining environment in deep space, w/o sunlight would be a lot more difficult than just wishing it so.
Yep, when they die......
Got me there, but I meant it more in a physical way, as in before they all die.
If we survive the next 100 years then i think it is inevitable, whatever form it may take....
I truly believed we would reach the stars until I was in my 40s. then I realized the odds on making it to the next century with any kind of highly technological society were so poor as to completely preclude even Mars, much less the stars. I sat and cried, I am not ashamed to admit.
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[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user ReplyA thought that makes it abundantly clear how you got your moniker. ;o)
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[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user ReplyWhat makes me not think they are close to it now but they aren't telling anybody? Well... for starters I know a lot of people who work at NASA.
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[1 point] 4 years ago by deleted user ReplyUnless you're under eight, you already made it to the next century. ;o)
Well, at leastI hope so ;)
Yes