Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in the observable universe

Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by Gravityloss on Monday June 25, 2018 @09:26AM (#17392200)

1% of the speed of light with nuclear reactors? I'm skeptical. It's 3000 km/s.

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Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by raducu on Monday June 25, 2018 @12:46PM (#17393781)

Project Orion was supposes to reach ~10% of the speed of light by using fission bombs and could theoretically be built using 1950's technology.

There are other proposed schemes to travel at ~light speeds - light sails, nuclear fragment rockets, but I'd bet on nuclear fusion in the not so distant future.

Faster than light travel may be off the table, but I see no reason why nuclear energy alone could not get us "close" to the speed of light in the next centuries or so.

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Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by Gravityloss on Monday June 25, 2018 @04:45PM (#17395654)

Thanks, I didn't realize they were planning for so high delta vees. They were fusion bombs in the end.

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Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by firmgently on Monday June 25, 2018 @12:01PM (#17393423)

Voyager 1 is already going about 17km/s. With no atmosphere or gravity to fight against you can keep accelerating as long as you have power.

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Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by Gravityloss on Monday June 25, 2018 @04:27PM (#17395517)

No, you need a propellant even if you use a nuclear energy source.

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