Hyperdrive

[earsugar]

When a hyperdrive leakes, what does it leak?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Hyper, obviously.

[earsugar]

oh excuse me.

[jake-the-peg]

Show me one and I'll tell you

[earsugar]

I was warned not to post in this section.

[jake-the-peg]

Well we don't quite get what you're on about.

Hyperdrives don't exist they're science fiction.

We can't tell whether you know this. If so are you talking hyperthetically compared to some science fiction book you've read or film you've seen?

Or are you under the impression that they're real?

[earsugar]

The question stumped the answer service on 63336 (text) so i thought this would be an ideal place for some theory.

I do know that they are not real.

If you dont know just say, or belittle me some more.

[earsugar]

The question stumped the answer service on 63336 (text) so i thought this would be an ideal place for some theory.

I do know that they are not real.

If you dont know just say, or belittle me some more, you decide.

[fo3nix]

But it could be anything, it's made up. No-one knows, and everyone knows.

[Clanad]

Given, firstly, that any proposed hyperdrive is purely theoretical, at the moment, a surprising amount of work towards the theory has been accomplished, dating back to about 1951. The primary driving force (pun only slightly intended) originated from work done by the German theorist Burkhard Heim. His work on quantum physics resulted in his proposal (backed by his quantum mechanics equations which attempted to resolve the biggest riff in physics, i.e.; Einstein's Theory of Relativity and the said quantum physics). Heim understood that quantum physics demands that space is a fixed and passive stage, something simply there for particles to exist on. It also suggests that space itself must somehow be made up of discrete, quantum elements, while Einsteinian theory requires that space-time is an active, malleable fabric. It has four dimensions - three of space and one of time - that deform when masses are placed in them.
So, with that foundational difference, Heim developed a quantum level six-dimensional world, in which the forces of gravity and electromagnetism are coupled together. Heim claimed it is possible to convert electromagnetic energy into gravitational and back again, and speculated that a rotating magnetic field could reduce the influence of gravity on a spacecraft enough for it to take off. Hence a hyperdrive capable of navigating hyperspace... Bear with me just a little longer...

Contd.

[Clanad]

Contd.

In 1980 an Austrian named Droscher (can't do the umlaut) further developed the work accomplished by Heim and which reuslted in theoretical "Heim-Dr�scher space", a mathematical description of an eight-dimensional universe.

From this, Dr�scher claims, you can derive the four forces known in physics: the gravitational and electromagnetic forces, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. But there's more to it than that. "If Heim's picture is to make sense," Dr�scher says, "we are forced to postulate two more fundamental forces." These are, Dr�scher claims, related to the familiar gravitational force: one is a repulsive anti-gravity similar to the dark energy that appears to be causing the universe's expansion to accelerate. And the other might be used to accelerate a spacecraft without any rocket fuel.

This force is a result of the interaction of Heim's fifth and sixth dimensions and the extra dimensions that Dr�scher introduced. It produces pairs of "gravitophotons", particles that mediate the interconversion of electromagnetic and gravitational energy. so, in the thoretical hyperdrive, a leakage would leave a trail of gravitphotons... (With thanks to The New Scientist)

[jake-the-peg]

Well I'm not surprised it stumped them - I might make up something called a wassi-case and ask what you put in it!

But OK let's see the idea is it's some sort of engine to allow faster than light travel. This is typically supposed to work by warping space. Now that is only really achievable by intense gravitaional fields. The most intense gravitational fields are around black holes which can emit something called Hawking radiation.

So I'd have to say a hyperdrive would leak Hawking radiation .

How's that?

[earsugar]

much better, thanks to you (peg) and clanad.

[earsugar]

oh and a wassi case is a multi functional piece of luggage, essentialy designed to carry good intentions.

[spaced]

Hyperdrive is real, its usually seen on BBC2 ;-)