Travel to Mars in 3 hours (Air force studies Trek tech)

The Scotsman ^ | January 5 2006 | Ian Johnston

[jbwbubba]

AN EXTRAORDINARY "hyperspace" engine that could make interstellar space travel a reality by flying into other dimensions is being investigated by the United States government.

The hypothetical device, which has been outlined in principle but is based on a controversial theory about the fabric of the universe, could potentially allow a spacecraft to travel to Mars in three hours and journey to a star 11 light years away in just 80 days, according to a report in today's New Scientist magazine.

The theoretical engine works by creating an intense magnetic field that, according to ideas first developed by the late scientist Burkhard Heim in the 1950s, would produce a gravitational field and result in thrust for a spacecraft.

Also, if a large enough magnetic field was created, the craft would slip into a different dimension, where the speed of light is faster, allowing incredible speeds to be reached. Switching off the magnetic field would result in the engine reappearing in our current dimension.

The US air force has expressed an interest in the idea and scientists working for the American Department of Energy - which has a device known as the Z Machine that could generate the kind of magnetic fields required to drive the engine - say they may carry out a test if the theory withstands further scrutiny.

[jbwbubba]

Of course we will have to get our Dilithium Crystals from the Martians, because they won't let us drill in Alaska.

[edcoil]

This used to be called a WARP bubble

[Billthedrill]

By "studied" they mean we've taken apart the one we have in Area 51 and are figuring out how to put it into a DeLorean.

[Brilliant]

if a large enough magnetic field was created, the craft would slip into a different dimension, where the speed of light is faster...

I don't think it takes 3 hours for light to get from Earth to Mars.

[billorites]

For God sakes man!
I'm giving you all she's got!

[jaydubya2]

I bet the G forces would be killer!

[ArrogantBustard]

Already operational:

[onedoug]

It would seem to mean having to change the fabric of spacetime everywhere in the universe, but for going into some hypothetical dimension change.

[Range Rover]

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq21-1.htm

Apparently there is a rumor floating around that the Navy tried something like this once.

[Brilliant]

The theoretical engine works by creating an intense magnetic field that, according to ideas first developed by the late scientist Burkhard Heim in the 1950s, would produce a gravitational field and result in thrust for a spacecraft.

He, he. I guess Heim must not have gotten a physics degree. Maybe this is just an attempt to make the Iranians divert their attention from the a-bomb to this thing.

[canuck_conservative]

"... where the speed of light is faster ..."

Garbage.

[SittinYonder]

Of course we will have to get our Dilithium Crystals from the Martians, because they won't let us drill in Alaska.

ROFLOL.

[silverleaf]

LOL!

[johnandrhonda]

186,000 miles per second..it's not just a good idea, it's the law!

[doc30]

Is that the Daedelus or the Prometheus?

[cvq3842]

Will Howard Dean be the first passenger? Maybe he already made the trip. :)

(A swipe at Dean, not the technological efforts.)

[Dan Cooper]

I think the three hours includes waiting in line while security X-Rays your shoes.

[thoughtomator]

Well, there's the embarkation and arrival - acceleration and deceleration - that will consume most of that 3 hours.