Arkan Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 Hyperspace a reality? http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=16902006 Welcome to Mars express: only a three hour tripIAN JOHNSTON SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT AN EXTRAORDINARY "hyperspace" engine that could make interstellar space travel a reality by flying into other dimensions is being investigated by the United States government. The hypothetical device, which has been outlined in principle but is based on a controversial theory about the fabric of the universe, could potentially allow a spacecraft to travel to Mars in three hours and journey to a star 11 light years away in just 80 days, according to a report in today's New Scientist magazine. The theoretical engine works by creating an intense magnetic field that, according to ideas first developed by the late scientist Burkhard Heim in the 1950s, would produce a gravitational field and result in thrust for a spacecraft. Also, if a large enough magnetic field was created, the craft would slip into a different dimension, where the speed of light is faster, allowing incredible speeds to be reached. Switching off the magnetic field would result in the engine reappearing in our current dimension. The US air force has expressed an interest in the idea and scientists working for the American Department of Energy - which has a device known as the Z Machine that could generate the kind of magnetic fields required to drive the engine - say they may carry out a test if the theory withstands further scrutiny. Professor Jochem Hauser, one of the scientists who put forward the idea, told The Scotsman that if everything went well a working engine could be tested in about five years. However, Prof Hauser, a physicist at the Applied Sciences University in Salzgitter, Germany, and a former chief of aerodynamics at the European Space Agency, cautioned it was based on a highly controversial theory that would require a significant change in the current understanding of the laws of physics. "It would be amazing. I have been working on propulsion systems for quite a while and it would be the most amazing thing. The benefits would be almost unlimited," he said. "But this thing is not around the corner; we first have to prove the basic science is correct and there are quite a few physicists who have a different opinion. "It's our job to prove we are right and we are working on that." He said the engine would enable spaceships to travel to different solar systems. "If the theory is correct then this is not science fiction, it is science fact," Prof Hauser said. "NASA have contacted me and next week I'm going to see someone from the [uS] air force to talk about it further, but it is at a very early stage. I think the best-case scenario would be within the next five years [to build a test device] if the technology works." The US authorities' attention was attracted after Prof Hauser and an Austrian colleague, Walter Droscher, wrote a paper called "Guidelines for a space propulsion device based on Heim's quantum theory". "Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." - Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials "I have also been slowly coming to the realisation that knowledge and happiness are not necessarily coincident, and quite often mutually exclusive" - meta
Diamond Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 Patents of this device go to patent offices on quite a regular basis. I say we won't see it for the next 200 years.
Nartwak Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 I'm pretty sure traveling in a manner in which the physical laws of our universe no longer apply may be bad for my health.
dufflover Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 Anything involving other dimensions and different laws of Physics I think is stupid. Yes I'm not an expert but either way I don't any of this will be possible, or at least around while we're all alive... the craft would slip into a different dimension, where the speed of light is faster, allowing incredible speeds to be reached. Switching off the magnetic field would result in the engine reappearing in our current dimension. yeh....sure Pure Pazaak - The Stand-alone Multiplayer Pazaak Game (link to Obsidian board thread) Pure Pazaak website (big thank you to fingolfin)
Marka Ragnos Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 yay for time being the only honest thing here.
Judge Hades Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 If in the next 10 to 15 years interstellar travel become a possibility a ****load of things will have to change across the globe. Especially if we come across any other sentient lifeforms.
Child of Flame Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 Anything involving other dimensions and different laws of Physics I think is stupid. Yes I'm not an expert but either way I don't any of this will be possible, or at least around while we're all alive... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Speak for yourself, I'm immortal.
LadyCrimson Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 I wonder if other sentient lifeforms would consider us sentient lifeforms... As to the topic...could happen, who knows. But even if it does, I'll likely be dead before they have any vacations to mars brochures, so...bah. “Things are as they are. Looking out into the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.” – Alan Watts
Darque Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 If it happens within the next decade, expect a lot of changes really darn fast
LadyCrimson Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 I wonder what happened to Hugh. “Things are as they are. Looking out into the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.” – Alan Watts
Lucius Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 Grant or Jackman? DENMARK! It appears that I have not yet found a sig to replace the one about me not being banned... interesting.
Rosbjerg Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 I would like to hear more about how magnetic fields can create a doorway to another dimension ... I'm kinda worried about it since we are all sitting on one giant potential portal then! :ph34r: Fortune favors the bald.
Lucius Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 See Event Horizon... we might fly into Hell and back. :ph34r: DENMARK! It appears that I have not yet found a sig to replace the one about me not being banned... interesting.
Rosbjerg Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 they use black holes and enormous gravityfields to generate a portal .. I can kinda cope with the idea that gravity can be so devastating that it can rip a hole through time and space .. but magnetic fields? Fortune favors the bald.
Kaftan Barlast Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 (edited) The theoretical engine works by creating an intense magnetic field that, according to ideas first developed by the late scientist Burkhard Heim in the 1950s, would produce a gravitational field and result in thrust for a spacecraft. sound alot like a Diametric propulsion system diametric drive functions by creating an asymmetric field around itself. Under such a field, the side of the field which creates more force on the spacecraft will accelerate the spacecraft in the direction of the force. It is unknown whether it is even physically possible to create such a field. One possibility is through the use of particles of negative mass. Stability issues arise in some such designs, however the huge constant acceleration without need for fuel or reaction mass is certainly an attractive idea. but this "leaping into other dimensions" I mean, do other dimensions exist anywhere except as purely theoretical mathematical calculations? Edited January 7, 2006 by Kaftan Barlast DISCLAIMER: Do not take what I write seriously unless it is clearly and in no uncertain terms, declared by me to be meant in a serious and non-humoristic manner. If there is no clear indication, asume the post is written in jest. This notification is meant very seriously and its purpouse is to avoid misunderstandings and the consequences thereof. Furthermore; I can not be held accountable for anything I write on these forums since the idea of taking serious responsability for my unserious actions, is an oxymoron in itself. Important: as the following sentence contains many naughty words I warn you not to read it under any circumstances; botty, knickers, wee, erogenous zone, psychiatrist, clitoris, stockings, bosom, poetry reading, dentist, fellatio and the department of agriculture. "I suppose outright stupidity and complete lack of taste could also be considered points of view. "
Lucius Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 I don't even know what a magnetic field is or what it can be used for. :"> DENMARK! It appears that I have not yet found a sig to replace the one about me not being banned... interesting.
Rosbjerg Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 the Earth produces a large magnetic field which diverts alot of the more harmfull rays and particles from the sun .. the few particles that come through however (at the weak points) produce what we call nothern light when they interact with the Earths atmosphere.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field Fortune favors the bald.
Judge Hades Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 If that magnetic field collapses we would become one toasty lil' rock.
Rosbjerg Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 well does a little flip every now and then .. as far as I remember what we call North is actually magnetically speakin South (but I don't really remember).. Fortune favors the bald.
Diamond Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 If that magnetic field collapses we would become one toasty lil' rock. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> With the only trick here that Earth's magnetic field cannot "collapse" as in ...[very not scientific] The Core movie.
Judge Hades Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 (edited) I don't know for sure but the movie The Core deals with the magnetic field quite well for a piece of science fiction. It was an enjoyable movie. Edited January 7, 2006 by Judge Hades
Diamond Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 The situation depicted there is fantasy. Regarding science it was no better than The Day after Tomorrow.
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