future Interplanetary Civilization discussion.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

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 ]

[Paul1980au]

Assuming based upon current technology that it takes 6 months - 12 months to travel to mars. It would have to be a self governing colony with contact with earth - FTL communications might allow a limited empire but FTL would be the only thing that succeeds.

[Atrocities]

This topic is mute for there is no life out there or non that we will at least meet in the next 10 trillion years.

[ February 02, 2004, 23:30: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Originally posted by Atrocities:
This topic is mute for there is no life out there or non that we will at least meet in the next 10 trillion years.

not required for the discussion. the discussion is about 'how might we hold together some sort of civilization at interplanetory distances?'

Assuming based upon current technology that it takes 6 months - 12 months to travel to mars. It would have to be a self governing colony with contact with earth - FTL communications might allow a limited empire but FTL would be the only thing that succeeds.

true, but still, the question is 'how might that work?'

and it need not be an empire. i said civilization.

[ February 02, 2004, 23:35: Message edited by: narf poit chez BOOM ]

[Atrocities]

Ok, I will rephrase, we won't.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Originally posted by Atrocities:
Ok, I will rephrase, we won't.

not even an interstellar news network? 'all the news, nothing but the news and all the obselete news?'

ever read Larry Niven's man-kzinn wars series? very bloody, but he has two semi-functioning civilizations with STL.

[Atrocities]

Sorry Narf, I am really depressed right now. I should have said that it is not going to happen because we will never colonize another planet. Even if we did, the colony would fail, or just be a military science outpost.

Secondly if the utter complete unlikelyhood that we did colonize another planet, it would go much like inter nation relations go now. So again, it simply is not worth it.