Abstract
In this chapter we consider the implications of the special theory of relativity as discovered by Albert Einstein. These discoveries impose a speed limit on the universe, and ultimately anything that possesses mass is prevented from reaching this limit, although it may approach it. Despite this, the limitations of sub-light speed don’t stop us from achieving journey times across the galaxy in times that are acceptable, but this comes with a penalty that will be discussed. We then discuss two schemes, which may have the potential to actually approach the speed of light limit, and although they may seem speculative today they could form an important part of tomorrow’s space faring civilization.
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Long, K. (2012). Towards Relativistic Propulsion: Antimatter and the Interstellar Ramjet. In: Deep Space Propulsion. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0607-5_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0607-5_13
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