Nuclear rockets are on the way

[Retro]

How does travelling to Mars in just 45 days instead of 9 months sound? Here are the latest developments in nuclear propulsion. Now, we just need a breakthrough for the faster than light warp drive and we're sorted. And no, it's not "just science fiction", as the theory actually works. Making one is another matter at the moment, however, but hey, one step at a time.

The coming decades of space exploration will see astronauts return to the Moon, the first crewed missions to Mars, and robotic missions to the outer Solar System (among other things). These missions will leverage innovative technologies that allow faster transits, long-duration stays, and sustainable living far from Earth. To this end, NASA and other space agencies are investigating nuclear applications, especially where energy and propulsion are concerned. Many of these proposals have been on the books since the early space age and have been thoroughly validated.

NASA and DARPA Will be Testing a Nuclear Rocket in Space

NASA and DARPA have teamed up to create a nuclear thermal rocket that could perform an orbital flight test by 2027.

www.universetoday.com

Alcubierre drive - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Crims]

I lol'd at the 'just invent a propulsion system that defies Einstein's physics' bit. Sounds interesting - I've been holding off from looking into details about this particular rocket but it looks like it can only be beneficial for us.

 

[Retro]

I lol'd at the 'just invent a propulsion system that defies Einstein's physics' bit.

Seriously, that hypothetical Alcubierre drive doesn't defy the laws of physics, that's just the point, since a warp bubble is actually allowed by General Relativity.

What moves FTL here is the folding of space surrounding the space ship, not the ship itself and the space that the ship inhabits is still flat, so no awkward time dilation effects, either. Hence, those warp drives depicted in Star Trek have an actual foundation in science and are not just hot air. I was very pleasantly surprised when I found this out in the last few years.

 

[Crims]

Seriously, that hypothetical Alcubierre drive doesn't defy the laws of physics, that's just the point, since a warp bubble is actually allowed by General Relativity.

What moves FTL here is the folding of space surrounding the space ship, not the ship itself and the space that the ship inhabits is still flat, so no awkward time dilation effects, either. Hence, those warp drives depicted in Star Trek have an actual foundation in science and are not just hot air. I was very pleasantly surprised when I found this out in the last few years.

I remember reading about this, and to the best of my knowhow there's been no stable way to create that. It might be doable with fusion and a design that is more torus shaped though.

 

[Retro]

Oh yes, the technical challenges are enormous (especially the gargantuan energy requirements, in the order of a star) and for now there is no solution. Alas, I don't expect to see a working warp drive in my lifetime.