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The Downside of Warp Drives: Annihilating Whole Star Systems When You Arrive

Posted by Soulskill on from the minor-details dept.

MrSeb writes "The dream of faster-than-light travel has been on the mind of humanity for generations. Until recently, though, it was restricted to the realm of pure science fiction. Theoretical mechanisms for warp drives have been posited by science, some of which actually jive quite nicely with what we know of physics. Of course, that doesn't mean they're actually going to work, though. NASA researchers recently revisited the Alcubierre warp drive and concluded that its power requirements were not as impossible as once thought. However, a new analysis from the University of Sydney claims that using a warp drive of this design comes with a drawback. Specifically, it could cause cataclysmic explosions at your destination."

16 of 235 comments (clear)

  1. Not the destination that matters by discord5 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's not the destination that matters, it's how you get there. Nothing stresses this as much as blowing up your destination when you get there.

    1. Re:Not the destination that matters by sycodon · · Score: 5, Funny

      Crap, now the Environmentalists are going to get involved. It will never be built now.

      --
      When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    2. Re:Not the destination that matters by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's not the destination that matters, it's how you get there. Nothing stresses this as much as blowing up your destination when you get there.

      Well, it would fit NASA's (unspoken) mission. Just like with the Moon - "to boldly go where no man will go henceforth".

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
  2. Downside? Sounds like a perfect weapon system by Nadaka · · Score: 5, Funny

    Downside? Sounds like a perfect weapon system for interstellar conflict.

    1. Re:Downside? Sounds like a perfect weapon system by ColdWetDog · · Score: 5, Funny

      The longer the journey lasts, the more of these dangerous particles build up. This doesn’t affect the ability of the warp drive to keep bending the laws of the universe — it’s the stopping that’s going to ruin your day.

      Somebody set us up the bomb!

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    2. Re:Downside? Sounds like a perfect weapon system by X0563511 · · Score: 4, Funny

      So it really is the sudden stop at the end that gets you...

      --
      For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
    3. Re:Downside? Sounds like a perfect weapon system by hamburger+lady · · Score: 4, Funny

      now we know what really causes those gamma ray bursts we detect from time to time.

      --

      ---
      Is this the MPAA? Is this the RIAA? Is this the DMCA? I thought it was the USA!
    4. Re:Downside? Sounds like a perfect weapon system by Zephyn · · Score: 4, Funny

      Somebody set us up the bomb!

      Actually, it reminded me of the Picard manoeuvre...

      Or the Samantha Carter maneuver...

      "You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

    5. Re:Downside? Sounds like a perfect weapon system by sl4shd0rk · · Score: 4, Funny

      Sounds like a perfect weapon system for interstellar conflict.

      Somewhere in the Milky Way galaxy, K'breel, Speaker of the Council, suddenly gets an idea....

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    6. Re:Downside? Sounds like a perfect weapon system by AwesomeMcgee · · Score: 4, Funny

      This is actually a completely viable means of travel, but returning would be a bit of a dick move.

  3. They figured out how to weaponize it... by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Funny

    This will GUARANTEE it will be made. It is now a military project, warp cruise missle, set it to the destination via a nice long route and have it drop out of warp near the other planet or star...... KABOOM!...

    Freaking A, take that Omicron Persei 8!

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    1. Re:They figured out how to weaponize it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Actually, this would be a very good thing.
      You know those killer asteroids they warn us about? Well, seems we finally have a way of dealing with them that does not involve Bruce Willis.
      Full steam ahead I say.

  4. Re:"It’s the stopping that’s going to by danbert8 · · Score: 4, Funny

    BULLSHIT. Stop, I order you STOP!!!!

    --
    Yes it's an anecdote! Were you expecting original research in a Slashdot comment?
  5. Re:Duh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    It's a good thing. Nothing is worse than coming out of warp into the middle of a previously-undetected asteroid field. Now, with this technology you can blow it away before exiting, leaving nothing but clean, pristine space for your arrival.

  6. What the hell?! by asmkm22 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I swear there was supposed to be a planet here...

  7. Not a problem. by raehl · · Score: 3, Funny

    Build it, and if the environmentalists don't want you to use it, volunteer to meet at their place to discuss their concerns.

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    paintball