04-05-2010, 01:24 AM
Hi,
It's a general relativistic method. It is based on the observation that during the inflationary period after the big bang space-time expanded faster than light speed. There is no theoretical limit to how fast it can expand. So, the mechanism is to set up a steep gravity potential. Put a black hole a fixed distance in front, a white hole a fixed distance behind. Space-time flows down the slope, dragging your ship with it (you are stationary relative to your local frame). As the ship moves, it moves the position of the black and white holes relative to the rest of the universe. Net effect is a FTL drive.
In reality, I suspect that if FTL ever becomes a reality it will be based on principles that we haven't even imagined yet. We're in the position of a Leonardo -- he conceived of manned flight, but never envisioned anything like the internal combustion engine. Without the power source, his ideas were just fantasy. As are ours. Fun to speculate, but ultimately pointless -- just a parlor game.;)
--Pete
Quote:IMO, if FTL is possible it's going to be based on Quantum Tunnelling on a macroscopic scale, ie, folding space. Simply to start at point A and your destination is point B, you make point A and point B exist in relative close proximity and then travel the short distance from point A to point B, then make the two points exist at their original locations.Yeah, that's one way. Wormholes, if they can be made to exist, are another. My recent favorite is to sit still and move the universe;)
It's a general relativistic method. It is based on the observation that during the inflationary period after the big bang space-time expanded faster than light speed. There is no theoretical limit to how fast it can expand. So, the mechanism is to set up a steep gravity potential. Put a black hole a fixed distance in front, a white hole a fixed distance behind. Space-time flows down the slope, dragging your ship with it (you are stationary relative to your local frame). As the ship moves, it moves the position of the black and white holes relative to the rest of the universe. Net effect is a FTL drive.
In reality, I suspect that if FTL ever becomes a reality it will be based on principles that we haven't even imagined yet. We're in the position of a Leonardo -- he conceived of manned flight, but never envisioned anything like the internal combustion engine. Without the power source, his ideas were just fantasy. As are ours. Fun to speculate, but ultimately pointless -- just a parlor game.;)
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?