A couple of doctors are trying to bring Star Trek to real life.
Star Trek has been the forbearer of technology for years. Not just in science fiction but in real life. From computers to cell phones, and even touch screen devices, Star Trek has seemingly given fans ideas to explore for decades. That brings us to today. We’re not talking about phasers or holodecks, for now, we’re talking about impulse engines.
With many looking to Mars as the next great journey for space travel, advancements in the technology for things like engines are going to keep popping up as time goes on.
According to a rather interesting article from Nerdist, two doctors are trying to make interstellar space travel possible in a human’s lifetime by using the same principles that Trek uses in their impulse engines. Those two doctors are Dr. Hal Fearn and Dr. Jim Woodward, and they’re building their very own “impulse engine” with the hope of traveling to the nearest star outside of our solar system. The two scientists have already received two grants to further their research and despite having to challenge several existing ideas, are making some headway.
Star Trek-based science like this would be earth-shaking
In the above video, Fearn, and Woodward use the name “Mach Effect Gravity Assist” or MEGA drive to reduce the time during space travel. What makes the MEGA drive so interesting is that it challenges scientific ideas. Nerdist uses the term “controversial physics”. The biggest point of contention is a belief that distant matter can influence things closer to it.
More from Star Trek Fandom
- Relive a little Star Trek fun with FoxTrot’s Christmas Cookie comic
- Watch: All I Want for Christmas by the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Greg Jein auction, which included Star Trek items, generated over $13 million
- Did you know there’s a band named Beverly Crusher?
- Fan blog triggers copyright infringement claim but not from Star Trek
"A MEGA drive works like an electric toothbrush. Using Piezoelectric crystals and applying a specific electric frequency causes the crystals to expand and contract. In turn, that makes the device vibrate. Similarly, a MEGA drive vibrates mainly in one direction, which causes it to accelerate slightly. Fearn and Woodward say this enables the device to tap into the gravitational potential of the universe."
While this opens up the possibility of interstellar travel, the science is still up for debate.
Space travel has captivated humanity for centuries, and it’s only been growing more and more since the U.S. landed on the moon in the 1960s. Now there is a desire to explore all that’s around us, starting with a trip to Mars.
While the Mars One mission fell flat due to funding issues, NASA and SpaceX are still pursuing a trip to the red planet. There’s no doubt that engines like that in Star Trek would make the trip seriously quicker than the conventional engines of today.
Though it’s unlikely that the engines would be ready any time soon, if in our lifetime.