Warp 1, engage!

[Saxman]

http://io9.com/5963263/how-nasa-will-build-its-very-first-warp-drive

The short of it is, there's been a recent mathematical breakthrough that suggests a model which would require a mass of only 1600 pounds, as opposed to the Jupiter-sized mass required by previous hypotheses, by altering the shape of the warp bubble from belt-shaped to a torus. Physicist Harold White, who made the breakthrough in the mathematical model, is apparently beginning lab experiments towards proving the concept.

Wouldn't it be something to see a manned FTL flight in our lifetime?

[68valu]

My name is "Zefram Cochrane" and I would like to volunteer my piloting services!



                                                                                                  68valu

[Bear76]

My name is "Zefram Cochrane" and I would like to volunteer my piloting services!



                                                                                                  68valu

Depends on your blood alcohol level   

[Meatwad]

Be sure to carry a CD of "Magic Carpet Ride"

[DubiousKB]

.... well you don't know girl... what WE can find, why don't you come with me!   

[mthrockmor]

I'm a conspiracy theorist. How my mind works is simple. I read something like this and presume, 'if this is what they are telling us, what have they already done!' I know, I know crazy but fun.

This is an awesome find! Thanks for sharing.

boo

[Sabre]

Actually, there are multiple research lines being explored for super-luminal (i.e. faster-than-light) travel.  Google "Heim Quantum Theory for Space Propulsion Physics", otherwise known as "GRAVITOPHOTON FIELD PROPULSION".  We may indeed see such a thing in our lifetime.

[Saxman]

Wonder what name they'll choose for the first manned ship? Enterprise would be the cheesy, easy way to do it. But if they want to go for the ULTIMATE nerdy reference, they'll name her Phoenix after Cochrane's warp ship.

[zack1234]

I have devised a warp engine but need donations to complete my research

$5 each will support my design

[Gman]

I read something recently about a similar new scientific find, with regards to FTL, but it had to do with chemistry and the physics of matter.  Apparently they've cracked a way to run different types of electricity through certain matter in order to make it 10 to the 4th power more dense.  This will allow FTL as if you ran into even a tiny bit of debris at those speeds, it would tear anything we could make now apart, but if during high speed FTL flight they can harden the exterior of the vehicle with this new "method", most stuff would deflect off, at least that's the premise.

Interesting times for sure.

[Meatwad]

Wonder what name they'll choose for the first manned ship? Enterprise would be the cheesy, easy way to do it. But if they want to go for the ULTIMATE nerdy reference, they'll name her Phoenix after Cochrane's warp ship.

Dont name it V'GER, thats for sure

[AAJagerX]

Dont name it V'GER, thats for sure

It's all good.  We still have whales.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I wonder how they're going to steer and navigate the first versions. Basically you could warp directly into the center of a planet, which probably wouldn't be nice. And if the spacecraft is actually stationary in its event field, what will happen to anything it will encounter on its path?

What's even more amazing and also suspicious is how closely the theories and promises match science fiction. '1600 pounds of exotic mass' -> Star Trek warp core.  

[Rich46yo]

"Fascinating"

[Saxman]

I wonder how they're going to steer and navigate the first versions. Basically you could warp directly into the center of a planet, which probably wouldn't be nice. And if the spacecraft is actually stationary in its event field, what will happen to anything it will encounter on its path?

What's even more amazing and also suspicious is how closely the theories and promises match science fiction. '1600 pounds of exotic mass' -> Star Trek warp core.  

As far as warping into the middle of a planet, I imagine there will be a lot of complex calculations involved in setting a course and destination (IE, as with the hyperdrive in Star Wars).

I'd also imagine they would need to develop some sort of navigational deflector (y'know, that big glowy thing on the front of the many Enterprises) to clear the path ahead ship.