Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Warp Drive May Be More Feasible Than Thought, Scientists Say
SPACE.com ^ | 2012-09-17 | Clara Moskowitz

Posted on 09/17/2012 10:28:10 AM PDT by justlurking

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-145 next last
To: okkev68
"Ok, but what happens to everybody and everything between NYC and Nashville. There has to be some consequence to bending space."

You probably wouldn't bend occupied space like my New York/Nashville example. You'd bend empty space. I believe the way this warp drive works is it repeatedly bends space in front of it. If it bent half a mile of empty space at a time allowing it to pass through in just a few feet. You'd still have an incredible speed.

41 posted on 09/17/2012 11:01:12 AM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: justlurking
Just use Dilithium crystals, problem solved. I dinna understand the confusion.
Love, Scotty
42 posted on 09/17/2012 11:02:47 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Taranto: "The whole point of the metaphor is that if you can hear the whistle, you're the dog.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: justlurking

Good.

I want one.

Gotta emigrate to another star system where the economic laws are sane..............


43 posted on 09/17/2012 11:03:32 AM PDT by Red Badger (Anyone who thinks wisdom comes with age is either too young or too stupid to know the difference....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wbill
Look at it this way...

What kind of energy densities are we talking about that would give the desired warping effect? How would you channel the energy through a material in a way that it not only forms a bubble, it forms it where you want it and without converting itself to plasma under the discharge...

Once you have the theory, backed up with proof of concept experiments, the rest is just a numbers game.

44 posted on 09/17/2012 11:11:55 AM PDT by Dead Corpse (I will not comply.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: mc5cents

“I’m guessing that that “exotic matter” would be along the lines of unicorns that have been ground up and put through an atomic accelerator or some such.”

Obama should have the unicorns ready for warp-drive use in less than a week. It would be sooner, but they’ll be busy for the next few days lowering the oceans, healing the planet, and restoring the faith of the Muslim world in America.

There could be an issue with PETA though. They don’t have to grind the unicorns up to heal the planet—that gets done with NO ANIMAL CRUELTY.


45 posted on 09/17/2012 11:14:13 AM PDT by ModelBreaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: DannyTN
It's like bending the earth so that New York City is suddenly next to Nashville.

But what if you do that while I'm bending it to get from Cincinnati to Myrtle Beach?

Who wins?

46 posted on 09/17/2012 11:17:47 AM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: mc5cents
I'm guessing that that "exotic matter" would be along the lines of unicorns that have been ground up and put through an atomic accelerator or some such..

7 elements have been added to the periodic chart since I went to school. None have involved "ground up unicorns". That being said, I think we will probably hit a SHTF scenario long before warp drives come into existence.

47 posted on 09/17/2012 11:21:13 AM PDT by Starstruck (It's all Obama's fault)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: MeganC
I see you’ve met the Democrat Party.

If you can get the dead out to vote, everything else is a cakewalk. ;)
48 posted on 09/17/2012 11:23:46 AM PDT by Renderofveils (My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music. - Nabokov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Izzy Dunne
"But what if you do that while I'm bending it to get from Cincinnati to Myrtle Beach? Who wins?"

Well if you do that there is a good chance that Myrtle beach will end up next to Nashville. And New York next to Cincinnati.

And then won't you feel stupid for not waiting.

49 posted on 09/17/2012 11:24:00 AM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Izzy Dunne
"But what if you do that while I'm bending it to get from Cincinnati to Myrtle Beach? Who wins?"

Well if you do that there is a good chance that Myrtle beach will end up next to Nashville. And New York next to Cincinnati.

And then won't you feel stupid for not waiting.

50 posted on 09/17/2012 11:24:18 AM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Izzy Dunne

And I really only posted once, but it took two quantum paths that arrived 18 seconds apart.


51 posted on 09/17/2012 11:26:10 AM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: justlurking

“Warp Drive May Be More Feasible Than Thought, Scientists Say”

Makes sense. I’ve lived long enough to know that conscious thought isn’t particular feasible when it comes to many people.

cheers,
Jim


52 posted on 09/17/2012 11:30:07 AM PDT by gymbeau (Thoughtless.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gymbeau

Oops! “Particularly”.

So much for conscious thought, LOL!

cheers,
Jim


53 posted on 09/17/2012 11:32:02 AM PDT by gymbeau (Thoughtless.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: Renderofveils
There's always some kind of motorhead that will find a way to adjust the spark gap, aspiration rate, gear ratio or whatever to get some more oooumph out of any machine.
54 posted on 09/17/2012 11:35:11 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah, so shall it be again")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: TChris

As an alternative, it can be built from an upsidaisium composite.


55 posted on 09/17/2012 11:49:03 AM PDT by Oberon (Big Brutha Be Watchin'.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: GeronL; okkev68
seriously... you wouldn’t warp space anywhere near a planet or even within the solar system ideally.

Good point

Starting your warp drive inside the solar system where there are lots of uncharted asteroids could be hazardous to your health.

But on the other hand if you wait on getting out of the solar system to start your warp drive you could be waiting 15 years to start your interstellar journey if you travel at normal impulse power.

And if you wait till you exit the Ort cloud region you will be waiting considerably longer.

I guess we need to invent the deflector shield before we start using warp drive.

56 posted on 09/17/2012 11:51:16 AM PDT by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: mc5cents
Um, sure. I'm guessing that that "exotic matter" would be along the lines of unicorns that have been ground up and put through an atomic accelerator or some such. It has been a long time since I read any science fiction.

We already know the exotic material it takes...Dilithium Crystals!

57 posted on 09/17/2012 11:52:55 AM PDT by lwoodham (I am Andrew Breitbart. Don't doubt me on this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: justlurking
A warp drive would manipulate space-time itself to move a starship, taking advantage of a loophole in the laws of physics that prevent anything from moving faster than light.

IOW, you don't just need physicists for this -- you need space lawyers. Astrophysicists can only do so much, without astrojurists around to exploit loopholes in the laws of physics.
58 posted on 09/17/2012 11:57:24 AM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: justlurking

Count me in if there is a Vulcan on the ship named T’Pol.


59 posted on 09/17/2012 12:05:15 PM PDT by catfish1957 (My dream for hope and change is to see the punk POTUS in prison for treason)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA
IOW, you don't just need physicists for this -- you need space lawyers.

[puts on my moonbat hat]

No, you just have to hire Romney's accountant!

The evil rich don't have to obey the laws of physics. They take up all the space, but don't have to spend the time!

60 posted on 09/17/2012 12:05:55 PM PDT by justlurking (The only remedy for a bad guy with a gun is a good WOMAN (Sgt. Kimberly Munley) with a gun)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-145 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson