Nasa is currently working on a project, that could have a massive impact on the future of space travel. They are experimenting on an ion thruster, which takes up little to no energy, but also provides very little thrust in return. The solution, was to supply constant thrust until reaching the preferred speed. Instead of using a few big blasts, we use many small blasts. This way our satellites, and other space craft, can move further through space without using gravity boosting. Gravity boosting is when space craft use a planet's gravity in order to speed it up, as conventional fuel cannot get the job done. With the new ion thruster humans can travel out side our own solar system, and potentially anywhere else in the galaxy, given the time and resources. What I am suggesting is that the government funds their research, as it is highly beneficial to space travel. Thoughts?
Funding warp drive or jump gates would get us to where we are going quicker. Or... we could just have the IRS continue to fund funny videos of people in space.
Just saw a Doc on that. Seems a light-sail powered by a laser beam would be faster. The sail would have to be as big as the State of Texas though. I agree with Lil Mike on the space-warp method.
Something like a warp drive, is impossible as far as we know. If we were to try to reach for it, it would take an amazing leap in technology, that would only happen in Star Wars.
I think NASA has been experimenting with ion engines for about 10-20 years now. I think it's a good idea for in-space applications. But, it doesn't replace the fuel-burning rocket engines for getting into orbit from Earth. This could be a bad thing if it takes longer than our existing supply of oil for humans to be serious and ready for real space exploration (once we have all the data on the universe, like in 1000+ years from now).
That sail wouldn't last long with all the micro meteorite in our solar system... - - - Updated - - - Beside no one would survive the acceleration...
I'm sure we can move towards greener fuel. Already ethanol is taking off. I don't think the future of fuel will be a problem.
That is 60-th tech. How is that a "new" technology? I mean, really, first such engine was build 1960.
True...a sail could get riddled but space is mostly empty of large particles. I think a sail like that would have to be deployed AFTER leaving Earth orbit. With regard to 'warp drive'......Think of space as a membrane that can be warped into a wave pattern. Instead of traveling over the waves (peak to trough), one travels through them. Speed, acceleration and deceleration would not be an issue. It would be like taking a 'shortcut.'
the computer I am using was impossible when I was in high school, I was still using a slide rule Wright brothers first flight was in 1903, Neil Armstrong walked on teh moon 66 years later same reason I laugh at the AGW alarmists on here, 20 years from now we will be using hydrogen or some other technology so why kill our GDP attempting to use current tech, invest in R&D instead
Well, without investing, nothing ever gets done. NASA is primarily funded by the government. They are going to make far slower progress with less funds. Right now, maybe something like this isn't practical, but it could potentially open a window we haven't noticed yet. - - - Updated - - - Ethanol is not the point It was simply an example of the potential of greener fuels. - - - Updated - - - Ethanol is not the point It was simply an example of the potential of greener fuels.
New is a relative term. It also has a variety of meanings. In this case "new" referres to beginning of a potentially new era of space travel. Sure this was an idea, and even a prototype, before, but now it is being experimented with. - - - Updated - - - New is a relative term. It also has a variety of meanings. In this case "new" referres to beginning of a potentially new era of space travel. Sure this was an idea, and even a prototype, before, but now it is being experimented with.
Though I find this post well stated, accurate, logical, and pretty damn good, It seems to missing something. Yes, we are evolving in a new and powerful way, technology is mind boggling in evolutionary time frames. Do you really think we will be using base chemicals as fuel in the future? The near Physics will be our future....we will crack the fusion code with 20 yrs......and it all changes.
good point, I honestly don't know. I have a small bit of knowledge in practical physics from 30+ years ago but when you start talking experimental and quantum you might as well be talking to a chimpanzee. I don't even know what you mean by near physics. The reason I mentioned hydrogen is that it if a cheap catalyst was discovered we could separate the hydrogen from water using either the heat from a reactor or electrolysis using solar voltaic. Seems like a nice next step
You might find developments are moving towards Helium 3 rather than hydrogen as a power source at the moment
It wasn't just an idea. Firt ion engine was build in 1960. There are a plenty of sattelites using them.Totally not a "new" technology.
interesting, never heard of that either. I think that one thing most of us can agree on is that within 20 years or so, current energy technology will be like a model T to a new BMW. That is why I don't pay much attention to alarmist claims of doom and gloom
Yes I think it will be pretty interesting. I think we are seeing the gradual slow down of the information age, and other technology trends will begin to assert themselves
