Massive Star Wars/Trek Spaceships (Earth, stars, light, satellite)
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I would think that it would have to be built in space, or on the moon. Building a massive ship on a gravity well like the Earth would just be a ridculous matter. It takes incredible energy to launch even a small satelite into orbit, a ship the size of a major city, forget it.
Thats why the first step in my mind, for long term space colonization and exploration begins with sustained colonies on the moon. Mining materials from there, while adding pieces made here, could build a large space ship.
How would it be powered? I have no earthly idea. Fusion could, I guess, but we aren't close to a fusion reactor as of yet.
In theory, if we can open and control worm holes, it could move extremely fast. Thats probably the only feasible mode of space transportation, unless we make progress in cryogenics.
No, I don't think I'll see a ship like those in my lifetime. I hope to see a man on Mars, and a sustained base on the moon.
A ship the size of a major city would have to be built in space from materials in space. I would think a likely source for materials to be mined for such a construction might be the Asteroid Belt. But that would assume Mars is pretty well colonized and developed by then. Even building it on the moon might not be all that practical as a site for a launch pad.
I think if we reach the point that we can build mega-sized spacecraft, the craft itself would be a colony that would need to be capable of sustaining itself as an ecosystem.
I don't know about worm holes. There are some thoughts that they may be no wider than an atom, if they exist. And they may just appear and disappear in random locations. It'd be hard to predict where one would open up not to mention where it leads. That could make any return rather difficult. You wouldn't want to find yourself coming out in the middle of a star somewhere.
Another possible method would be if the ship could somehow take advantage spacetime to travel. Of course, that's probably not going to happen in our lifetime.
It's more conceivable that ships could be built that could travel at near light speed. Even 75% of the speed of light would be very impressive. They'd have to have some kind of shielding to protect from collisions with small objects, as well as radiation. I would think such a massive craft would probably never return to the Earth or the solar system. The Earth might be very different when they got back.
Just thinking about superfast spacecraft, it's almost going to be a necessity if Earth ever intends to do any extensive work and colonization on Mars or the Moon. It takes too long to get to Mars with our present propulsion systems. Right now, politically and economically, things don't look too promising for manned space travel to the moon or Mars any time in the near future. At best we'll probably have a permanent human presence on both, but I doubt we'll see within our lifetime anything more than scientific outposts, pretty much like Antarctica, unless something unforeseen is discovered.
On the other hand, it's always possible someone will come up with a workable solution on building a spacecraft able to travel at high speeds. That'd be useful for robotically exploring the outer planets and moons. Or even to send them to other star systems.
Without going into all the materials needed (they could be launched from lunar bases) I would think it would be best to construct it at the Lagrange point between the Moon and Earth. This zero gravity environment would be ideal to assemble it. Perhaps asteroids with materials we wanted to include could be nudged in a trajectory that would send it to the Earth/Moon system where we could control it and mine materials. If the starship was powered by fusion than the moon could also be mined for Helium-3.
I am also thinking we would get most of our materials from asteroids.
and most of the work would have to be done by robots.
but what type pf propulsion systems would we have? assuming a nuclear reactor (of some sort), what can it produce?
I hear ion engines can get fast, but takes a while to get there.
what else could be used?
If they were primarily manned by robots, wouldnt need as much oxygen either!
I agree with your view about the use of robotics. It would be much more practical and less expensive than sending humans, although there'd still be occasions when sending a human might be necessary.
One experimental propulsion system that's been looked at is the use of laser beams. Solar sails would work in a similar fashion but would take longer to increase acceleration.
I agree with your view about the use of robotics. It would be much more practical and less expensive than sending humans, although there'd still be occasions when sending a human might be necessary.
One experimental propulsion system that's been looked at is the use of laser beams. Solar sails would work in a similar fashion but would take longer to increase acceleration.
I think the problem with the solar sails and lasers is they only work if your heading in certain directions.
unless the ship could power its own laser for power...
I think the problem with the solar sails and lasers is they only work if your heading in certain directions.
unless the ship could power its own laser for power...
You're right. The boost would get it going to its destination in a hurry. Solar sails are much slower to build up though. The laser scheme might work if it contains its own laser. But it was suggested that such a craft would also use helium. For exploration of the solar system's planets and moons, I would think a laser satellite stationed in orbit around the planet might be work for the return trip home. It would need to collect sunlight and concentrate it. I sort of gathered the laser space craft would only need the laser boost to get started. Once it reaches the desired speed, the ship would rely on other fuel for course corrections. Even if the laser was only used one-way just to take off from Earth, the fuel savings would be enormous compared to current propulsion systems.
What could power it? Would a fusion reactor be powerful enough? How fast could it go (in theory)?
Think you will see one in your lifetime?
A fusion reactor may be powerful enough to move the ship...but I'm not sure about even approaching light speed. I think I won't live to see such spaceships; but I am sure we will soon see a scalable fusion reactor. We are just past the break-even point but a lot of issues need to be resolved before fusion power can be scaled up to commercial applications as far as power output and stability over much longer timeframes than we can currently achieve.
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