Buch, Englisch, 367 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 593 g
A Roadmap to Interstellar Flight
Buch, Englisch, 367 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 593 g
ISBN: 978-1-4614-0606-8
Verlag: Springer
The technology of the next few decades could possibly allow us to explore with robotic probes the closest stars outside our Solar System, and maybe even observe some of the recently discovered planets circling these stars. This book looks at the reasons for exploring our stellar neighbors and at the technologies we are developing to build space probes that can traverse the enormous distances between the stars.
In order to reach the nearest stars, we must first develop a propulsion technology that would take our robotic probes there in a reasonable time. Such propulsion technology has radically different requirements from conventional chemical rockets, because of the enormous distances that must be crossed. Surprisingly, many propulsion schemes for interstellar travel have been suggested and await only practical engineering solutions and the political will to make them a reality. This is a result of the tremendous advances in astrophysics that have been made in recent decades and the perseverance and imagination of tenacious theoretical physicists. This book explores these different propulsion schemes – all based on current physics – and the challenges they present to physicists, engineers, and space exploration entrepreneurs.
This book will be helpful to anyone who really wants to understand the principles behind and likely future course of interstellar travel and who wants to recognizes the distinctions between pure fantasy (such as Star Trek’s ‘warp drive’) and methods that are grounded in real physics and offer practical technological solutions for exploring the stars in the decades to come.
Zielgruppe
Popular/general
Autoren/Hrsg.
Fachgebiete
Weitere Infos & Material
Foreword.- Preface.- Chapter 1: Reaching for the Stars.- Chapter 2: The Dream of Flight and the Vision of Tomorrow.- Chapter 3: Fundamental Limitations to Achieving Interstellar Flight.- Chapter 4: Aviation - The Pursuit of Speed, Distance and Height.- Chapter 5: Astronautics - The Development and Science of Rockets.- Chapter 6: Exploring The Solar System and Beyond.- Chapter 7: Exploring Other Star Systems.- Chapter 8: Solar System Explorers - Historical Spacecraft.- Chapter 9: Electric and Nuclear-Based Propulsion.- Chapter 10: Sails and Beams.- Chapter 11: Nuclear Fusion Propulsion.- Chapter 12: External Nuclear Pulse Propulsion.- Chapter 13: Towards Relativistic Propulsion - Antimatter and the Interstellar Ramjet.- Chapter 14: Aerospace Design Principles in Interstellar Flight.- Chapter 15: The Scientific, Cultural and Economic Costs of Interstellar Flight.- Chapter 16: The Role of Speculative Fiction in Driving Technology.- Chapter 17: Realizing the Technological Future and The Roadmap To The Stars.- Chapter 18: From Imagination to Reality.- Epilogue.- Appendices.- Index.