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Fathom Zero · #**801**

We're already in the corona maaaaaaaaaaaaan

And this looking for a propulsion that could move us at near the speed of light isn't going to go anywhere. Not anytime soon, at least. We don't have anything that efficient. Every time I think of it, I always get the thought of Wonkavision stuck in my head.

Colonel Flagg · #**802**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fathom Zero

And this looking for a propulsion that could move us at near the speed of light isn't going to go anywhere. Not anytime soon, at least. We don't have anything that efficient.

http://nextbigfuture.com/2007/02/pho...ropulsion.html

Quote:

February 23, 2007
Photonic Laser Propulsion

Photonic Laser Propulsion has had a proof of concept demo it generated 35 micronewtons of thrust using mirrors that generated 3000 times amplification. The low power version would be great for position control of multiple satellites to nanometer precision.

UPDATE: It has been proposed that extremely small payloads (10 kg) could be delivered to Mars in only 10 days of travel time using laser-based lightsail caft (Meyer, 1984), but in order to do so, would require a 47 GW laser system. With 47,000 reflections then only a 1MW laser system would be needed. (fifty 20KW lasers). Scaling up 100 times would be able to deliver 1 ton payloads to Mars in ten days.

The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. - Motto of the US Army Corps of Engineers

Fathom Zero · #**803**

I haven't seen that. :O That's not saying much, though.

I was talking more in the space travel sense, as in there won't be a manned space mission to Mars tomorrow. But them lightsails are awesome.

Colonel Flagg · #**804**

Yep. Still speculative for now, but in principle it is possible. If you're interested in this subject, check out the book "Rocheworld" by Robert L. Forward. It's sci-fi, but the actual science behind the technology is sound. And much of what he assumes to be possible in the future has begun to already happen (genetic modification, AI, robotics).

Keep reading!

Fathom Zero · #**805**

I burnt my back today.

I'm just a mess.

Colonel Flagg · #**806**

Ouch!

At the risk of getting way too much info, how did it happen?

Fathom Zero · #**807**

Most of my back is scar tissue, so I can't really feel how hot the hot water is in the shower. It just feels itchy. But then, hours later, it's still itchy and a little sore. Still is today, matter of fact.

The Leader · #**808**

Why is most of your back scar tissue?

Tadao · #**809**

Science?

The Leader · #**810**

Shut up.

Esuohlim · #**811**

Because he burned himself in the shower!

Vicious circle, yo

Fathom Zero · #**812**

Grafts were cut from my back as a kid.

Dimnos · #**813**

What did you do that you needed grafts from your back? Did you get your arm caught in a drill press?

Fathom Zero · #**814**

Burns on my feet when I was three.

Vicious cycle.

Esuohlim · #**815**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Flagg

Wiffy is right. In about a billion years or so we'll have a nova on our hands, and then what will we do?

UNTRUE. The sun will indeed become a white dwarf, but it's not part of a binary system and it won't become a nova since it won't have any mass to take from a companion star.

NEXT YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME THAT SODIUM FLUORIDE IS SAFE IN MINUTE AMOUNTS

Fathom Zero · #**816**

BOOM. YOU JUST GOT SCIENCED.

executioneer · #**817**

it's probably going to expand into a red giant and engulf earth before it turns into a white dwarf though

MAIN SEQUENCE, MOTHERFUCKERS

Dimnos · #**818**

OH MY SCIENCE!

Fathom Zero · #**819**

It's on the bottom half of the main sequence too omg

Colonel Flagg · #**820**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esuohlim

UNTRUE. The sun will indeed become a white dwarf, but it's not part of a binary system and it won't become a nova since it won't have any mass to take from a companion star.

You engineering types are always slaves to the details.

In other news, this is what a solar system looks like when it's just getting started.

The first planet was imaged by the Keck Interferometer (I believe) over 3 years ago, and there are currently 4 total, with an asteroid belt and a Kuiper belt to boot. All bigger than Jupiter, but still pretty amazing stuff.

Wiffy probably knows all about it.

Fathom Zero · #**821**

http://gizmodo.com/5713498/man-officially-cured-of-hiv

Well that's interesting.

Dimnos · #**822**

Colonel Flagg · #**823**

Nearly 6 1/2 years down, only 10 weeks to go. Messenger approaches ...

I will be extremely disappointed if they forgot to check if the units were consistent.