Starship pilots: speed kills, especially warp speed

http://www.newscientist.com ^ | February 17 2010 | Valerie Jamieson

[Para-Ord.45]

Star Trek fans, prepare to be disappointed. Kirk, Spock and the rest of the crew would die within a second of the USS Enterprise approaching the speed of light.

The problem lies with Einstein's special theory of relativity. It transforms the thin wisp of hydrogen gas that permeates interstellar space into an intense radiation beam that would kill humans within seconds and destroy the spacecraft's electronic instruments.

[Sloth]

But her son Wesley (Weasely) ought to have been airlocked BattleStar Galactica style.

LOL, true. Wil Wheaton wrote some hilarious episode reviews here that include some thoughts on the fans' hatred of his character:

[FateAmenableToChange]

I got confused trying to do the math, converting everything into parsecs, until I realized that that was the wrong space movie series.

You're right. The millenium falcon could do it in 12 or possibly even 11 parsecs.

[JoSixChip]

Do these guys not understand what a warp bubble is? It is not the Enterprise that moves at light speed, it is the space around the Enterprise. Gees, do I have to explain everything.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Star Trek has solved the problem but what about the Millenium Falcon? Is it safe from this problem, too?

[RightOnline]

Ummm.....well yeah. I mean, that goes without saying.....

[RightOnline]

I know, right.....

[PugetSoundSoldier]

I dunno .. I’m still pondering over the concept of “clear aluminum”.

Transparent aluminum? Already done. In fact, they've built airplanes out of the stuff:

[mdmathis6]

I wonder then how light photons can travel at “C” but not themselves be shredded by impacting hydrogen atoms as they travel through space...I wonder if the dual “wave”/”solid” properties that photons exhibit has something to do with their survival!

[RightOnline]

No kiddin’.......and those Motley Crue CD’s would get old after the first few years, too.

Don’t even get me started on “American Idol” reruns on DVD.......

[RightOnline]

That......and tiny little photon-sized shield, no doubt. Add to that.....iron underwear. They’re good.

[jaz.357]

STARWARS= Light speed

Star Trek= WARP SPEED!

Dude!

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Yes indeed. And Dr. Beverly Crusher was easy on the eyes too.

And let's not forget Tasha Yar:

[JoSixChip]

"dual “wave”/”solid” properties"

Technically that's "dual “wave”/”particle” properties".

[Teflonic]

Shields made of super-dense neutron star matter should be able to protect passengers.

[RightOnline]

Yeah but......warp speed is directly related to the speed of light.

So ..um... there.

[wally_bert]

Glad someone remembered.

[RightOnline]

I’d say so, yeah. I mean, to offer up as proof, “Star Wars” traveled far enough to include remakes of originals and three abyssmal “prequels” with adolescent, vapid “dialogue”.

So yeah....I’d say it was safe.

[mdmathis6]

you are right...thanks for correcting the nomenclature!

[wally_bert]

[Deaf Smith]

This thread lacks is the perspective of that blonde chick from The Big Bang show. Is that on tonight?