Real Fusion-powered Impulse Engines -- using dilithium crystals!

[Saladin_CO]

Check this out:  http://www.businessinsider.com/newest-fusion-engine-is-powered-on-star-trek-like-dilithium-crystals-2012-10?fb_action_ids=4030789720992&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%224030789720992%22%3A293454600760104%7D&action_type_map=%7B%224030789720992%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map=[]

[astoundingbruce]

How cool is that?

[evil_genius_180]

That may be the longest link I've ever seen.

That's really cool.  It could be a great step towards finally sending manned missions to Mars.  (they already found water there )

[AlecWest]

Years ago when fusion research was in its infancy, I remember reading an article titled, "The New Math - 1+1=3."  There are plenty of physicists out there who believe that break-even is possible to achieve.  And who am I to doubt them.  But in the back of my mind, I keep bumping into that old scientific axiom, "Neither matter nor energy can be created or destroyed, only changed in form."  So, the first thing I'd want to know is where the new energy "came from" (its former form).  The next thing I'd want to know is that scientists had perfected a "working shield" to protect spacecrafts and their passengers from the eventual run-in with space debris (at hyperspeed).

A six-week trip to Mars would only excite me if I was guaranteed to be alive in week #7.

Regards,
J. Alec West

[HalOfBorg]

Every no and then people point out to me that "the transporter is impossible" or that "warp drive is impossible". When they finish up with the "because" part I make sure to tell them to add "as far as we know NOW.  You never know what will be discovered tomorrow. But it probably won't be discovered by people who like to use the word 'impossible' too much."

[Saladin_CO]

Every now and then people point out to me that "the transporter is impossible" or that "warp drive is impossible". When they finish up with the "because" part I make sure to tell them to add "as far as we know NOW.  You never know what will be discovered tomorrow. But it probably won't be discovered by people who like to use the word 'impossible' too much."

I like that quote.

[Anthony]

Nothing is impossible, just some things more improbable than others until certain conditions are met.