That's where I stopped reading............
Actually, relativity does not preclude faster than light travel, which is common at the quantum level. Since the connections between quantum mechanics and gravity are not worked out in the generally accepted models of physics, we are due for some major surprises. Notably, the proposed drive works by manipulating gravity, a common literary device in science fiction. Perhaps it will also be a feature of manned space vehicles in the next decade or two.
VSL (Variable Speed of Light) theory has been around for quite some time in the land of theoretical physics.
Don't dismiss so quickly.
There's a book called "Faster Than the Speed of Light", published by an accredited Physicist Jaoa (I can't spell the guys last name) and several other theoretical physists have discussed the plausability of being able to Travel Faster than Light within extra dimensional space...see the works of such PHD's as Lee Smolin, Brian Green, and others.
Again, It's all theory and the energies necessary to allow such a thing are mind boggling but if you have an exotic matter reaction, such as a black hole, to generate the necessary energy...it's plausible.
In Hoc PHD
Good plan. Perhaps they can get the infinite energy required for this project from some of the free energy folks.
I wouldn't want to be within a few parsecs of this thing when they fire it up.
OK, this is a serious question. Please dont beat me up too much--I took phys-ed Physics in college.
How come nothing can travel faster than light? Didnt we used to think that travelling faster than the speed of sound was impossible? Just because we cant see anything that moves faster than light (duh!) does it mean that nothing CAN move faster? Or is there a physical property that doesnt allow it?