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Space Travel

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  • 23-02-2007 1:10am
    #1
    Kevster
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,980 ✭✭✭


    Is there any research going on for improving space-travel times? I know they are looking at replacing the rocket (which is immensely inefficient) but the last time I checked the new methods would still result in relatively slow space-travel. Like, it would still take decades to even reach the Oort cloud: The edge of our solar system.


    ...Is even wishing to one day be able to travel to say, Proxima centauri, just a pipe dream?


    Kevin.


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    #2
    pan
    Registered Users Posts: 190 ✭✭pan


    Even if you could go at the speed of light, it would still take x years to get there!! It's possible over 10-20yrs time scale but not idea!!
    We could easily send probes (unmanned) there using ion thrusters but it would take ~10-20 yrs!! Plus another 20 yrs for the signal to return to us :(

    For faster than light propulsion (not yet possible) we need new theories :(
    Stay tuned, because a break through could occur at any time :)
    We're talking warp drives and worn holes/tunnels etc...


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    #3
    Kevster
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,980 ✭✭✭Kevster


    After you saying that I sincerely hope this doesn't turn into a 'but we can't go over the speed of light' debate! But yes, even at the speed of light space travel looks pretty damn bleak.


    We'd obviously all have passed-on by the time something major is done anyway. That leads me to my next question: Would you be happy to become immortal in order to witness the advances that the human race is yet to make (regarding cosmology)?


    Kevin.


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