Trappist-1

Post by **LarsMac** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 12:51 pm

So, scientists seem to have found a very interesting neighborhood that might prove to be worth exploring.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/scie ... p=cur&_r=0

7 "earth-sized planets" orbiting a dwarf star a mere 40 light years away.

This could prove to be very interesting.

Wonder how long before they start booking tours.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 4:03 pm

fascinating, but I could never be that far away from my family

Post by **LarsMac** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 4:14 pm

minks;1506965 wrote: fascinating, but I could never be that far away from my family

Well, since round trip would be a minimum of 80 years, that could be a problem.

tude dog · Post by **tude dog** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 6:01 pm

LarsMac;1506967 wrote: Well, since round trip would be a minimum of 80 years, that could be a problem.

That's all relative.

Assuming you start out at the speed of light and quickly return, not all that much older at all, but the Earth you return to and everybody has aged 80yrs.

Post by **LarsMac** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 6:21 pm

tude dog;1506970 wrote: That's all relative.

Assuming you start out at the speed of light and quickly return, not all that much older at all, but the Earth you return to and everybody has aged 80yrs.

Yeah. You grandkids grandkids could have grandkids by the time you get back.

Wandrin · Post by **Wandrin** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 7:21 pm

tude dog;1506970 wrote: That's all relative.

Assuming you start out at the speed of light and quickly return, not all that much older at all, but the Earth you return to and everybody has aged 80yrs.

But you'd have the tiny problem that to be traveling at the speed of light, you'd have to be pure energy. How would you get your mass back?

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:55 am

Wandrin;1506972 wrote: But you'd have the tiny problem that to be traveling at the speed of light, you'd have to be pure energy. How would you get your mass back?

We have two new engines in development, one has been deployed and one is still being tested:

NASA Extreme No Fuel Quantum Engine Actually Works

and the EM Drive:

Post by **LarsMac** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:10 am

Have you calculated the time it would take to reach light speed with the thrust that thing produces?

Saint_ · Post by **Saint_** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:21 am

LarsMac;1506982 wrote: Have you calculated the time it would take to reach light speed with the thrust that thing produces?

Naah. I have my bets placed on this system: