Posted on 05/13/2012 12:58:02 AM PDT by LibWhacker
Website lays out detailed plans to make a Star Trek fan's dream come true
In Star Trek lore, the first Starship Enterprise will be built by the year 2245. But today, an engineer has proposed and outlined in meticulous detail building a full-sized, ion-powered version of the Enterprise complete with 1G of gravity on board, and says it could be done with current technology, within 20 years.
"We have the technological reach to build the first generation of the spaceship known as the USS Enterprise so let's do it," writes the curator of the Build The Enterprise website, who goes by the name of BTE Dan.
This "Gen1" Enterprise could get to Mars in 90 days, to the moon in three, and "could hop from planet to planet dropping off robotic probes of all sorts en masse rovers, special-built planes and satellites, BTE Dan says.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
I recall 20 years ago, seeing articles of how in 20 years everyone will in flying cars. Call me sceptical
Heck - it was more like 40 years ago. 20 years ago I was constantly bringing up that fact when one still couldn’t drive north-south through Trenton, N.J. without having to get off the freeway. And driving on roads through the bad side of down. (And the few times I had to do it - I usually got lost!)
Call me when it breaks Warp 1
We could build ships to explore the Solar system. We have the tech...but not the money.
But not the will. We would rather spend the money on welfare giveaways, breeding new democrat voters, and Muslim outreach.
Isn’t it a shame when everyone feels left out? EQUALIZATION!
Exactly.
No big deal.
Great idea, Dan! Now, since I don’t want to pay for it and the Constitution has been tortured enough, let me propose a voluntary tax (donation if you like) on all foam Spock ears sold at all the Star Trek conventions. That way Trekkies could put their money where their ears are and get to look logical at the same time.
The only thing of real interest is the fact that it would be large which really is better for space. I think a larger crew is also a good thing.
Later, the ion engine is replaced with faster propulsion - a NERVA design nuclear engine.
Still later, some genius figures out that a SPACESHIP is not a STARSHIP, and everything goes back to the drawing boards.
STARSHIP Enterprise awaits in the very distant future - after all the homeless are fed and muslim outreach has reached its logical conclusion.
STARSHIP Enterprise in 2245 is an optimists wet dream ...
The year is 1736 and landing on the moon was an optimist's wet dream.
I'll give the STARSHIP forecast date the benefit of the doubt.
Where are the phasers...?
The photon torpedos....?
Where are the phasers...?
The photon torpedos....?
There is a reason that ancient people didn’t spend time exploring and settling the Sahara desert. Same now applies to space.
Actually, the concept is more along the lines of The nina, The Pinta and the Santa Maria.
That little adventure was the first spark that lead to the life you have now.
“We have the technological reach to build the first generation of the spaceship known as the USS Enterprise so let’s do it”
And for what purpose?
Columbus wasn’t out on an adventure to the unknown to see if something worthwhile might pop up. He was headed to a well known trading destination, but his shortcut didn’t work out. Tell me, where is the well known destination in space that will make the investors rich? When such a destination exists, people will go there. An earth like planet within 30 years travel would start to get people interested.
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