If we can travel at the speed of light, we will orbit Earth about 7.5 times per second, travel to the moon in only 1.3 seconds, and to Mars in 3 minutes. We could even arrive at our nearest star system, Alpha Centauri in only 4.3 years. Now imagine all the exciting stuff we will do with this sophisticated light speed spaceship.
But there is a problem delaying us from this awesome future. You see, building a spaceship that can travel at the speed of light is not something any civilization will wake up and do. It requires a lot of creative efforts and advanced knowledge of physics greater than the modern physics we practice today.
In 1926, Goddard invented the first liquid-fueled rocket. Of course, we have seen how that invention has revolutionized space exploration in recent times. But if we must aim to break light speed, we must think of exploring other advanced propulsion systems outside chemical propulsion.
Some scientists are suggesting photon propulsion, antimatter propulsion, nuclear pulse propulsion, and so many others. If we can master how to explore the cosmos in these propulsion systems, we may be getting closer to building a light speed spaceship.
Chances of Our Civilization Building Advanced Propulsion System for Light Speed Spaceship
When it comes to developing a new propulsion system, a lot of effort is required to make it possible. Goddard did not just wake up and create the chemical propulsion system that we use today. He put a lot of creative work and effort into creating such an amazing technology.
Hence, if the goal of humankind is to develop a functional near-light speed spacecraft, we have to start developing and testing other advanced propulsion systems. NASA and other agencies are investing heavily in Nuclear propulsion and other futuristic propulsion systems that will enable us to get to Mars faster than earlier anticipated.
If we master how to explore space using nuclear propulsion systems before the 2050s, we may be advancing to building more advanced propulsion systems that will get us closer to light speed.
Many futurists predicted that the last human invention may come up before the 2050s. But why if you may ask? The answer is simple, Artificial superintelligence. You see, with the recent rise in AI as of today, we should be expecting the technology to greatly evolve in the coming decades helping almost every industry reach their maximum potential.
With the use of AI in developing spacecraft, future space engineers may come up with a new advanced system that could propel a spacecraft starting from 10 percent of the speed of light to 99 percent of the speed of light.
Even though our generation did not succeed in building this amazing technology, our descendants will surely do the impossible and develop near-light-speed spacecraft that will revolutionize space exploration in the future. What do you think about this exciting future ahead?
