so, the first task is to arbitrarly decide on the possible space travel available? ok, then, arbitrarly, ion engines, cheap, low-tech, relativily. solar sail, no fuel required, low pay-load, requires stable civilization to build and mantain laser. ramscoop, can only be used in areas of high hydrogen density, high tech, fastest.
solar sails can be laser-decelerated from the other end by detaching part of the solar sail to use as a reflecter. so said, i think, Arther C. Clarke in a book i have.
and i'll let more knowledgeable people figure out how fast those might be in the future. although the Last projection i heard for solar sails, which was a while ago, was 0.001g.
should make an interesting galaxy to figure out stuff for.
ripping off-err, 'researching' Larry Niven is allowed.
but if anyone even *thinks* about introducing a feline race i'll whack them.
anyone know any other possible, non-FTL engines? no unknown science, predictable technology only.
[ February 02, 2004, 23:09: Message edited by: narf poit chez BOOM ]
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