How fast can a man-made object travel through space without negative consequences?
The Milky Way is traveling through space at approximately 343 mi/sec, relative to the cosmic background at rest. What would happen to a man-made object traveling at 18,600 mi/sec through the Milky Way?
Also at 1G acceleration, how long would it take for an object to reach that speed?
Thanks,
John
Also at 1G acceleration, how long would it take for an object to reach that speed?
Thanks,
John
ozo
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Nothing, until it bumps into something.
In the objects frame of reference, 18600mi/s * 1609.34m/mi / 9.80665m/s^2 = 3052390.36776s
In the objects frame of reference, 18600mi/s * 1609.34m/mi / 9.80665m/s^2 = 3052390.36776s
What would happen?
The speed you selected is c/10, so there would be a host of relativistic effects.
But as long as it doesn't hit anything it should be fine.
How you could apply 1g acceleration for that time is problematic.
The speed you selected is c/10, so there would be a host of relativistic effects.
But as long as it doesn't hit anything it should be fine.
How you could apply 1g acceleration for that time is problematic.
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ASKER
Thanks for all the input. What I'm trying to determine in my mind whether or not human interstellar travel is a real possibility. I'm obviously a total neophyte but I read somewhere that there's a speed - depending on proximity to gravitational fields, I assumed - at which some kind of cosmic radiation or something would either destroy the spaceship or kill off the occupants. Is there any truth to that?
I know I'm all over the map here but other than the effects that would be apparent to the observer, what would prevent an object accelerating at 1G, from reaching the speed of light (relative to some very, very distant object)? Why would I as a passenger feel anything at all? If theoretically I wouldn't, then would I feel something if I were close to other massive objects?
Thanks,
John
I know I'm all over the map here but other than the effects that would be apparent to the observer, what would prevent an object accelerating at 1G, from reaching the speed of light (relative to some very, very distant object)? Why would I as a passenger feel anything at all? If theoretically I wouldn't, then would I feel something if I were close to other massive objects?
Thanks,
John
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> In the objects frame of reference
Sorry, I made an error
In a reference frame moving with the objects initial velocity, it would be about 5 hours more,
in the proper time of the object, it would be about 3.5 hours more.
Sorry, I made an error
In a reference frame moving with the objects initial velocity, it would be about 5 hours more,
in the proper time of the object, it would be about 3.5 hours more.
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ASKER
This is great stuff. RE: "The hydrogen is in the form of one proton so you object will be bombarded by a proton beam going at you 18600 mi/sec." What kind of damage would that cause? And how many simultaneous such bombardmets would it to take to cause life-threatening damage?
RE: "It has been suggested that passenger ship might be protected in a similar way." 1) Is space radiation lethally dangerous? 2) Is it conceivable that a spaceship could produce a sufficient magnetic field?
RE: "It has been suggested that passenger ship might be protected in a similar way." 1) Is space radiation lethally dangerous? 2) Is it conceivable that a spaceship could produce a sufficient magnetic field?
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ASKER
I hope I didn't leave anyone without any points. I'm sure I'll have more similar questions coming.
Thanks,
John
Thanks,
John
ASKER
OOC, how and where could we build a spaceship as large as the Earth? If we built it anywhere near Earth, wouldn't that possibly disrupt our orbit, leading to our extinction?
Thanks,
John
Thanks,
John
That wasn't meant as an example of what is practical, but an example of what is conceivable,
given that we know how well the Earth's magnetic field protects us.
But if you were to try to build one, you might want to try doing it at one of the Earth-Sun Lagrangian points.
The technology to assemble stuff there might not be enough to disrupt our orbit, but it would be enough to send stuff hurtling to Earth instead of to the L-point, which could lead to our extinction.
given that we know how well the Earth's magnetic field protects us.
But if you were to try to build one, you might want to try doing it at one of the Earth-Sun Lagrangian points.
The technology to assemble stuff there might not be enough to disrupt our orbit, but it would be enough to send stuff hurtling to Earth instead of to the L-point, which could lead to our extinction.