Help me get my head around some big numbers...

[MacB]

Monty, did you want some help on numbers or did you want all your ideas examined and shredded?

 

[MontyVeda]

Monty, did you want some help on numbers or did you want all your ideas examined and shredded?

i welcome all comments

 

[Drago]

Don't forget the effects of relativity become significant above a few percent of C.

 

[jefmcg]

basic physics... every action has an equal and opposite reaction regardless of whether its in an atmosphere or vacuum.

But the only clockwork motion for a vehicle I know of involves wheels and friction, eg wind up cars. I can't think how that applies in interstellar space.

Note: I think I am having an interesting discussion. I am not trying to shred your idea, but to literally understand them. I hve never though about clockwork interstellar craft before. But if I am "shredding your ideas", please say, and I will happily go away.

Edit: again, typing while you said you were ok with it

 

[MontyVeda]

But the only clockwork motion for a vehicle I know of involves wheels and friction, eg wind up cars. I can't think how that applies in interstellar space.

I'm thinking of the principal behind a gat gun (you know the sort?)... but a battery of really feckin big ones strapped to the arse end of said craft. [edit] it'll look awesome when the film comes out

[edit] the clockwork mechanism winds the bolts back in so they can be fired again and again and again. I'm reminded of Wilko Johnson's comment about riding a bike; easy to do but hard to describe.

Note: I think I am having an interesting discussion. I am not trying to shred your idea, but to literally understand them. I hve never though about clockwork interstellar craft before. But if I am "shredding your ideas", please say, and I will happily go away.

No i don't mind... in fact the inertia idea came after your 'steam, obvs' comment

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Fascinating. I work for a fantasy author. He gets hung up on things like having to go back through all his draughts and try and figure out which hand the character had his sword in. He also gets hate mail when a favourite character is slain. It’s another world.

Best of luck with your writing.

 

[MontyVeda]

Fascinating. I work for a fantasy author. He gets hung up on things like having to go back through all his draughts and try and figure out which hand the character had his sword in. He also gets hate mail when a favourite character is slain. It’s another world.

Best of luck with your writing.

Thanks. I used to post some of my stories on a literature forum but everything got pulled apart to the nth degree. I've no interest in anyone reading my stories, not even me. It's the writing part i enjoy the most.

And thanks to @jefmcg ...i had no firm idea how this 200 year old space craft would be propelled, and now I've been encouraged to think it through.

 

[Jenkins]

And please don't ask me how this steampunk starship is powered

Steam, obviously!

Perfectly silent spaceship power - because in space, no one can hear you steam...

Is that my coat? Don't worry, I'll find my own way out

 

[wheresthetorch]

I've no interest in anyone reading my stories, not even me.

I think I'd quite like to read it. Do you post them on a blog?

 

[Drago]

Of course, as technology advances any long range ships will likely have been overtaken by faster vessels launched later.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You might find this a useful reference.

http://www.askmar.com/Robert Bussard/Interstellar Exploration Program.pdf

 

[MikeG]

I hope this helps the OP:

Voyager-1 is the fastest spacecraft and it is projected to take 30,000 years to cross the Oort Cloud, which is still within the Sun's orbit.

It isn't travelling in a straight line, but even so, in 40 years it has got 13 light hours away from the sun

 

[MontyVeda]

I think I'd quite like to read it. Do you post them on a blog?

short answer, no.
almost all of my stories seldom get finished, let alone published.

 

[MontyVeda]

I hope this helps the OP:

Voyager-1 is the fastest spacecraft and it is projected to take 30,000 years to cross the Oort Cloud, which is still within the Sun's orbit.

It isn't travelling in a straight line, but even so, in 40 years it has got 13 light hours away from the sun

far too slow... my clockwork Victorian spaceship travels at 20,000,000 mph.

 

[MikeG]

I hope this helps the OP:

Voyager-1 is the fastest spacecraft and it is projected to take 30,000 years to cross the Oort Cloud, which is still within the Sun's orbit.

It isn't travelling in a straight line, but even so, in 40 years it has got 13 light hours away from the sun

.........which means 74 years travelling at 38,000 mph to be one light day from the sun, and 27,000 years to travel one light year. That's less than a quarter of the way to the nearest star.