Theoretical space question

[JonathanW]

So with our current knowledge, it’s not possible for us to explore other galaxies or even solar systems. But theoretically if we could figure out how to travel at or near the speed of light we could reach a lot of them, although only a small fraction that exist without being able to travel way faster than the speed of light.

However I am thinking way before reaching the speed of light we would surpass our own ability to steer a ship to avoid planets and asteroids. But also near the speed of light would that make it not possible for even electronic guidance to work. I doubt we could design an electrical signal to be faster than light, and enough faster for then guidance manipulation/maneuvers to take place.

Or is the guidance possibility just another piece of the puzzle we are unable to conceive of yet?

 

[WildcatFan1982]

Even at light speed it’d take 4 years to get to the nearest star. Not happening in our lifetime. And assuming Einstein is correct, won’t happen.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

You are travelling at the speed of light and you turn on your headlights, do they do anything?

Stephen Wright

 

[HagginHall1999]

So with our current knowledge, it’s not possible for us to explore other galaxies or even solar systems. But theoretically if we could figure out how to travel at or near the speed of light we could reach a lot of them, although only a small fraction that exist without being able to travel way faster than the speed of light.

However I am thinking way before reaching the speed of light we would surpass our own ability to steer a ship to avoid planets and asteroids. But also near the speed of light would that make it not possible for even electronic guidance to work. I doubt we could design an electrical signal to be faster than light, and enough faster for then guidance manipulation/maneuvers to take place.

Or is the guidance possibility just another piece of the puzzle we are unable to conceive of yet?

Did you roll it, pack it or eat it?

 

[funKYcat75]

However I am thinking way before reaching the speed of light we would surpass our own ability to steer a ship to avoid planets and asteroids.

Most of Space is just that. Space. Notoriously empty blackness. If we are approaching the ability to travel anywhere close to light speed, we’d have to assume that navigation would have been figured out by then.

 

[KAB Cats]

If a ship did reach the speed of light and traveled to a nearby star or galaxy, we’d almost all be dead before it returned.

The nearest star is 4.6 light years away. Back and forth, that’d 9.2 years for the crew, but on earth that’d be about equivalent to about 65 earth years.

 

[Spica Orbit]

Other than the Magellanic Clouds (two small satellite galaxies of our own Milky Way) & a host of other small galaxies, the nearest galaxy as large or larger than the our home galaxy is M31 at 2.5 million light years. That's a long day's walk!

 

[KAB Cats]

Other than the Magellanic Clouds (two small satellite galaxies of our own Milky Way) & a host of other small galaxies, the nearest galaxy as large or larger than the our home galaxy is M31 at 2.5 million light years. That's a long day's walk!

Name definitely checks out.

 

[Spica Orbit]

M31 (Messier 31) is actually visible without optical aid in late Summer & Fall in the northeastern sky. You need to be in a rural area & away from lights, however.

 

[J_Dee]

Some good related articles:

Basics of Spaceflight -- NASA, Dave Doody

The Physics of Interstellar Travel -- Dr. Michio Kaku

Is Interstellar Travel Really Possible? -- Paul Sutter

 

[J_Dee]

You are travelling at the speed of light and you turn on your headlights, do they do anything?

Stephen Wright

What would happen if you drove your car close to the speed of light and turned on the headlights? -- Dr. Christopher S. Baird

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Man, you’re gonna get yourself hurt doing that crap. You watch.

 

[UKBlueBlood]

Given the virtually incomprehensible enormity of space, the comparably minuscule human lifespan, and the nearly unimaginable technological capabilities that would be needed to venture beyond our solar system, I think we are best served focusing on the floating rock we’ve been given. Colonizing the moon, or maybe Mars, seems to be the most we can reasonably hope to achieve.

 

[thabigbluenation]

It seems like if any species, if they exist, as well as ours cannot endure the severity of space biologically. Exploration, if any tech evolves for faster travel will be done thru AI and robotics. Until we evolve to living longer than 75 rotations around the sun space travel is a moot point.

 

[Girthang]

It seems like if any species, if they exist, as well as ours cannot endure the severity of space biologically. Exploration, if any tech evolves for faster travel will be done thru AI and robotics. Until we evolve to living longer than 75 rotations around the sun space travel is a moot point.

Just a minor point, but tech doesnt "evolve." It is re-engineered and/or redesigned.

It wasn't that long ago that people in less developed countries and remove locations were regularly living well past 100. It is industry and modern medicine that has caused the biggest reductions in lifespans, despite all of the "advancements" (conveniences) that have been seen.

Good hygiene, less chemicals/pharmaceuticals, and a natural diet combined with rural or remote location living correlates to longer life expectancy. It's the opposite with tech and industry.

Until we figure out how not to destroy THIS planet, it's the ultimate futility to seek travel to another. It's sad how we've bought into the hype and marketing of sci-fi and fantasy to the point that most of it is no longer considered fiction because of the simple tech advances that it inspired.

 

[Girthang]

So with our current knowledge, it’s not possible for us to explore other galaxies or even solar systems. But theoretically if we could figure out how to travel at or near the speed of light we could reach a lot of them, although only a small fraction that exist without being able to travel way faster than the speed of light.

However I am thinking way before reaching the speed of light we would surpass our own ability to steer a ship to avoid planets and asteroids. But also near the speed of light would that make it not possible for even electronic guidance to work. I doubt we could design an electrical signal to be faster than light, and enough faster for then guidance manipulation/maneuvers to take place.

Or is the guidance possibility just another piece of the puzzle we are unable to conceive of yet?

Great questions.

Many assume hyperspace travel is viable even for space ships that can't even scan much further than the distance we are from the moon. If space were just a void, as assumed when a lot of Sci fi began, sure, you could jump to "lightspeed" and go from here to there without a floating pebble or space whale destroying your ship.

Reality is there is a ton of stuff between this or any planet and the closest galaxy. Stuff sitting still we can't see or detect and stuff that is moving. Scientists still can't precisely detect or predict asteroid trajectories of slow moving ones.

Not many discussions ever address that gaseous clouds and nebulas would become more like relatively solid objects to faster and faster moving ships. A lot like water becomes to someone jumping from too great an altitude or a ship would experience coming at our atmosphere at high speed from space.

 

[Girthang]

Warping space or creating/finding wormholes/tunnels through space is the only way a person of our kind will likely live to see another galaxy in person, unless they invent long range scanning and teleportation.

 

[Girthang]

If a ship did reach the speed of light and traveled to a nearby star or galaxy, we’d almost all be dead before it returned.

The nearest star is 4.6 light years away. Back and forth, that’d 9.2 years for the crew, but on earth that’d be about equivalent to about 65 earth years.

And they'd lose their minds within weeks days hours of losing their data/wifi signal

 

[Girthang]

One of the biggest problems we talked about in our physics classes and labs relative to space travel is the sheer amount of fuel, supplies, and structure it would require of a vehicle to make it to another galaxy while supporting human and vegetative life. That's without taking into account likely hazards and repairs to the ship along the way.

Cryosleep alone, while it is a great fantasy plot point, is frequently depicted as fantastically silly as possible. Most closely resembles the "sleeping beauty" fairy tale complete with glass windowed coffin/bed. The reality of that idea is that the body would require room and equipment to move, force exercise and resistance training, and ways to both directly feed and dispose of accumulating waste product needs of the human body. It would have to be a pretty large and cumbersome container for each person on the vehicle.