FTL space travel a possibility.

[Asthaloth]

FTL space travel, a real possiblity

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.

Professor Jochem Hauser, one of the scientists who put forward the idea, told The Scotsman that if everything went well a working engine could be tested in about five years.

However, Prof Hauser, a physicist at the Applied Sciences University in Salzgitter, Germany, and a former chief of aerodynamics at the European Space Agency, cautioned it was based on a highly controversial theory that would require a significant change in the current understanding of the laws of physics.

"It would be amazing. I have been working on propulsion systems for quite a while and it would be the most amazing thing. The benefits would be almost unlimited," he said.

"But this thing is not around the corner; we first have to prove the basic science is correct and there are quite a few physicists who have a different opinion.

"It's our job to prove we are right and we are working on that."

He said the engine would enable spaceships to travel to different solar systems. "If the theory is correct then this is not science fiction, it is science fact," Prof Hauser said.

"NASA have contacted me and next week I'm going to see someone from the [US] air force to talk about it further, but it is at a very early stage. I think the best-case scenario would be within the next five years [to build a test device] if the technology works."

The US authorities' attention was attracted after Prof Hauser and an Austrian colleague, Walter Droscher, wrote a paper called "Guidelines for a space propulsion device based on Heim's quantum theory".

Mankind= 1.
Space-time as we know it= 0


A real hope for the future of mankind, it makes a nice change doesnt it.

[Skynetmain]

So that would be like Warp 1.5 or something in that area?

Sounds fun. If they need victism/test pilots, I volunteer as long as they pay me by building me a lightsaber Seriously, that sounds very fun.

[Asthaloth]

Closer to 3.5 actually.
And those eqautions are off for a starters...
so far off that its almost not funny!

Anyway, my views on this are at their best on the Forum where i was shown this;

Mankinds future (presuming this can be done...) Is now in the hands of the current generation.
It is a pity that a mankind possessed of such hate will go to the stars.
A shame that a species of such hate will represent us to any mind that might be out there.

Perhaps it might be better if mankind remains tethered to this system, to stagnate and die before we pollute the rest of the universe with our taint.

[SpiraLethe]

I think space-time already has quite a positive score on us... But we'll catch up one of these days.

[Asthaloth]

Pah, we just beat a supposedly immutable law.
Take that 3rd dimension!
Take that!

[DiscordantNote]

Mind you, the whole idea is a theory, and theories aren't always true. We won't know for sure until we try.

Still, it's a pretty cool idea...but how'd we create a magnetic field that power and that large? It'll have to be a pretty big electromagnet.

I'm still hoping for an IID though. I'd want a ship with one of those.

[Asthaloth]

Antimatter, ramjet, fission.
Pic one, all are acessible to current technology.

[DiscordantNote]

We can safely contain antimatter? Didn't know that.

[Asthaloth]

Dont need to contain it, just need it to eradicate.
but yes, in a vaccum.

[DiscordantNote]

No, I mean contain it so it won't "eat" through the ship. But vacuum sounds right.

[Asthaloth]

It would "eat" persay.
more "big butt explosion"
Not that we have ever had the things last more than a couple seconds anyway.

[Pudding]

What, only 11 lightyears in 80 days? Bad science fiction has led me to expect much faster hyperspace travel!

I kid, I kid. Man, I really want this to be possible.

Last edited by Pudding on Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

[ria]

woot woot woot!

Finally some progress in the right direction! Faster than light travel!

Wheeee! So awesome!

I'm just praying now that the tests are a success and that I'll see a ship which can travel faster than light in my lifetime!

[Maryann]

Star Wars comes to mind.

Seriously, this is incredible.

[Hyperion]

Based on my readings of input by people who are very knowledgeable in the relevant fields, this article describes what's a demi pipe dream based on our current knowledge, resources, and abilities.

Here's a New Scientist article on the matter: Take a leap into hyperspace.

And here's the source paper (PDF file).

A notable excerpt from another forum I frequent:

[...]

...a huge rotating ring placed above a superconducting coil to create an intense magnetic field. With a large enough current in the coil, and a large enough magnetic field, Dröscher claims the electromagnetic force can reduce the gravitational pull on the ring to the point where it floats free.

However, most engineers are quick to point out that the coil is not feasible given existing materials and technology. Physicists find Heim's theory moslty incomprehensible, even before adding in the extension that would make this anti-gravity force possible. It seems to be generally agreed that the theory is probably incomplete and could use a lot of introduction and clarification. Really, about the only thing working in the theory's favor is its apparent ability to accurately predict the masses of elementary particles, so it's a fair bit more credible than the usual hyperdrive woo-woo nonsense.