Posted on 12/23/2015 4:20:29 AM PST by Sean_Anthony
Planet of the red dwarf star WOLF-1016
Astronomers are excited: a new planet has been discovered, currently termed WOLF-1016c, a planet of the red dwarf star WOLF-1016.
It’s said to be the planet most similar yet discovered to Earth, both in size, trajectory and other features but a bit far away, about 15 light years or so. Let’s put that distance into perspective.
In galactic scale that’s actually pretty damn close.
A generation ship would get us there in two generations.
Now if only we could achieve say 10% of the speed of light it would only be a few generations away.
We can.
Maybe they’re waiting for us to verge on interstellar travel and will send the overlords to prevent it.
At what acceleration?
Max velocity?
What is the reaction mass to payload ratio?
If the Second Generation changes its mind, what is the Point-of-No-Return in order to have enough fuel decelerate in the vector Toward the new planet, re-accelerated back toward Earth, decelerate upon arrival and land?
All before the Second Generation is 60 years old?
Don't worry about factoring in Relativity effects.
Yes, the human pets of the Overlords are about to break their mold! You also should know that my Irish Setter drives my tractor. :-)
I’m not going to do the math. That would take awhile.
But it’s possible.
Wouldn’t even have to travel at relativistic speeds.
Point of no return would be somewhere half way through acceleration. You’d need to pull about 30km/s or so. Which is no where near relativistic. So that won’t matter. You could accelerate at 1-2g’s for 50 years.
Thanks Sean_Anthony.
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