It has been 100 years since the Theory of Relativity by Albert Einstein mentioned almost nothing travels quicker than light. NASA scientists are finally choosing to question the truth of this theory and these scientists are doubting whether Einstein’s theory can hold true in today’s times. The warp drive refers to a futuristic propulsion system meant to bend space-time allowing it to travel quicker than light. While Star Trek mentioned warp technology, warp technology is slowly becoming part of the real-world possibilities and the reason behind some of the newer and most groundbreaking experiments.
Looking at the concept behind the warp theory
We have the Mexican physicist, Miguel Alcubierre to thank for warp drive theory due to Alcubierre’s 1994 proposal. The whole idea is that of the space-time bubble that compresses the fabric of the universe in front of a spacecraft and expands it behind. Therefore the vessel in the bubble is able to move faster than light to all outside observers. While Einstein’s law still holds true, the ship just appears to be moving far faster. The ship, however, does not actually move faster than light in that bubble.
It is the space surrounding the ship that seems to be moving. When it came to Alcubierre’s model, there was some negatives. For Alcubierre’s model to hold true, negative mass needed to be taken into consideration, as well as energy on scale that is equal to that of planet Jupiter as per the engineering standards.
While Alcubierre’s theory did not manage to succeed in its entirety, young researchers including Joseph Agnew looked at the mathematics behind it all. The newer work done focused on using Alcubierre’s ideas as well as quantum mechanics.
What is NASA looking at?
NASA’s physicists, Dr. Harold “Sonny” White is looking at establishing warp drive as being closer to reality than we may think. At present, White’s team is concentrating on the White-Juday Warp Field Interferometer meant to detect microscopic warp bubbles. With this technology, small-scale distortions in space-time can be fostered in controlled conditions which are crucial to transforming the warp drive concept into a reality.
Where White’s idea offers promise is in terms of fully reshaping the Alcubierre model. Offering an adjusted configuration of the warp bubble into a torus, White can reduce the energy by an order of magnitude from a planetary mass to something far smaller. Perhaps White’s interpretation offers some hope.
Einstein’s theories have always guided current research. Furthermore, Albert Einstein predicted this super faster engine: It’s been built, and we need to also look at how it works.
Drawing inspiration from Star Trek
Star Trek explored the vision of humans inventing a warp drive in 2063. The date, albeit a fictional date, is now a possibility. While interstellar travel is too far to imagine, steps are being taken to bridge the gap between sci-fiction and reality.
NASA is assisting with redefining the possibilities transforming all research of the warp drive into discussions entailing an engineering focus. There is still so much more to consider when it comes to the warp drive, however, the entire crux of it is not too far out of reach. NASA is continuing with experiments and other young theorists as well as engineers know that all that was impossible would one day become a possibility. Einstein once said that perhaps in time imagination could be far more valuable than knowledge itself. Now we are achieving what has been imagined.
The race to warp space is not an attempt to prove that Einstein was right in his thinking but one that ensures that all the laws that Einstein wrote could be adjusted to fit in with modern day possibilities. At this point in time NASA is making advances too as NASA spots light from the early universe and its moving faster than expected.
