Posted on 04/12/2016 11:38:31 AM PDT by C19fan
Nasa engineers have begun testing the concept for a new propulsion system that could slash the time it takes for spacecraft to reach interstellar space. The system would interact with particles released by the sun, repelling protons to create thrust and achieve unprecedented speeds. Researchers say this could bring spacecraft to the heliopause in just 10 years – a feat that took the Voyager craft 35 years.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Agree with you 100% ... the article made it sound like getting to interstellar space in 10 years was a huge leap from getting there in 35 years.
It sounds like a 1999 plot device.
Ironically, I was recently googling the Eagle toys from that show.
The BEST toy I had when I was a kid growing up was an Eagle that was about 2 feet long, and had modularly detachable command module and engine module, that could be joined to each other, the cargo module in the middle had doors, etc.
I had one of those.
These articles always tend to hop things up to make it sound like something such as warp drive is just around the corner. We are a long long way from interstellar travel capability indeed. ;-)
I could see this used in conjunction with an ion drive. Say the target is the Alpha Centari system. Us the proton drive to out to 4 AU, then use the ion drive half way there. To decelerate, rotate 180 degrees, ion drive till you are about 5 AUs out from Alpha Centari. Then use the proton drive in reverse to slow to speeds that allow for deployment into an orbital pattern.
Not sure of the time required but I’ll bet it is far less than the current projected 100 years.
But only for 20 seconds!
I space, that’s all you need!.....................
Don’t forget the shielding.
I think people are going to have to face the fact, sooner or later, that for beings with human-sized lifespans, traveling via acceleration can only get you so far.
We’ve known that for a century now, but people still don’t want to accept it.
There are government grants to be won ...
Take the spice and fold the space.
OMG that is too funny........
But can it make point-five past light speed? Make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs?
That Han Solo boast has led to many debates because parsecs at least in this system is a measure of distance not time.
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