Prospects for Breakthrough Propulsion from Physics

It's a shame NASA won't have the funding to continue such research. Apparently, certain other priorities take precedence:

Regarding the NASA BPP Project, future funding is uncertain. NASA is now assessing how to respond to the President's priorities on Moon and Mars exploration. It is not clear if there is a place for propulsion physics research within these priorities. Previously, the President's Aerospace Commission recommended supporting such visionary work. Quoting from the Commission's report [89]: "In the longer-term, breakthrough energy sources that go beyond our current understanding of physical laws... must be credibly investigated in order for us to practically pursue human exploration of the solar system and beyond. These energy sources should be the topic of a focused, basic research effort." If NASA sponsorship resumes, it might appear under the revised title: "Fundamental Propulsion Physics."

I'm somewhat at odds with myself; I certainly think we should get back on the moon and then to Mars. :-k

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"Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the greater view?" - Hugo

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Churchill

Hell, we'd go...so long as our children were grown, say 20yrs from now.... and forget about returning to riches and fame... we'll be 50s and ready to get off this rock!
:P

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"Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the greater view?" - Hugo

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Churchill

I wouldn't go. at least, not w/out a substantial number of people along for the ride. think how isolated you would be--no living beings for light years in any direction. hermits are assumed to be mad on Earth, after all.

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Gillian

"Now everyone was giving her that kind of look UFOlogists get when they suddenly say, 'Hey, if you shade your eyes you can see it is just a flock of geese after all.'"

"You can't erase icing."

"I can't believe it doesn't work! I found it on the internet, man!"

Part of the point in posting the article was meant to address the general mindset of people regarding the "Are We Alone" question...

First, I'm perplexed as to why you think our sun would be ignored.

And next, I think it is terms like "believers" attached to very vague statements like "...will say anything is true..." that polarizes the "believers" and the "skeptics," although oftentimes I prefer pseudoskeptic.

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"Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the greater view?" - Hugo

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Churchill

You don't? Well, I think a little differently. I think conquering the fear of death and doing somethign like that is very heroic, something that a normal person would never think of doing.

I agree, but don't think we need to assume it happened any faster than it did here on our own world. I mean, "thinking man" has been around only a blink of an eye in cosmic terms, and here we find it having advanced to a space faring species already.

I, too, don't quite understand.

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"Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the greater view?" - Hugo

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Churchill

I am in total agreement, Archer!

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"Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the greater view?" - Hugo

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Churchill

Post deleted by the Bad Astronomer.

Your initial target wasn't enough, huh?

Shape up, Mr. No-Name, or go somewhere else.

I really doubt that we're a "cosmic fluke" but we *could* be the pinnacle of civilization in our galaxy (hey, somebody has to be on top!). We could also be at an extremely "low level" and may actually be being ignored by civilization(s) that are very far beyond us...it's all just speculation.

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An open mind is like an open window...without a good screen you'll get all sorts of weird bugs!

Hello Aliens, this is Earth Calling is indicative that we are not the "pinnacle."

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"Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the greater view?" - Hugo

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Churchill

In this particular instance I have to agree with you.

BTW...you've been ToSeeked.

they're hoping people will use common sense? why should they start now?

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Gillian

"Now everyone was giving her that kind of look UFOlogists get when they suddenly say, 'Hey, if you shade your eyes you can see it is just a flock of geese after all.'"

"You can't erase icing."

"I can't believe it doesn't work! I found it on the internet, man!"