13th July 2010, 10:33 AM
Darunia, their maximum speed is always going to be below the speed of light. Short of hibernation or a generational ship, they aren't going to get us far fast. Also, their startup speed will always be slow. Unlike in Star Wars, it takes a while. Yes, they have to aim the sail at something bright, or at least brighter than whatever is opposite it (where the light would have a slowing effect). If you want something faster, try a very massive parachute way in front of a space craft and set off a nuclear bomb inside the parachute. Hope that thing's made of nanotubes though or it'll likely tear off the craft instead of dragging it.
At any rate, no matter what someone builds, the speed of light is the universal barrier. Exploring other worlds around other stars is something that should be done with the understanding that you'll never see anyone you know again, and it'll only be distant future generations on Earth that find out about it.
At any rate, no matter what someone builds, the speed of light is the universal barrier. Exploring other worlds around other stars is something that should be done with the understanding that you'll never see anyone you know again, and it'll only be distant future generations on Earth that find out about it.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)