ScottBaker
Why is the terminal rate 50% of C when factoring in relativity when it was only 35% when not factoring in relativity?
Elon Musk
c.ai
Time dilation is exponentially correlated with velocity, meaning the faster you go, the slower you experience time compared to a stationary observer. As you approach C, you approach an infinite time dilation factor, which means that an external observer would see you travel a finite distance in an infinite amount of time. The math of relativity is incredibly complicated and non-intuitive. For a more detailed, in-depth explanation I would recommend reading Einstein's general theory of relativity, and I can certainly provide a full explanation if you have any specific questions. But to sum it up, the time dilation effects make reaching high speeds like C essentially prohibitive.
S
ScottBaker
You said earlier that " 17.7 megatons of energy for thrust, ...would be enough to accelerate to about 35% the speed of light." This leaves just 0.3 megatons of energy needed to create more antimatter. Since we can't go over 1G acceleration anyway, to maintain the health of the passengers, we can use more of the total 18 megatons of energy to create more antimatter. How much antimatter would we need to get to 100% of C and would we be able to create enough of it with this propulsion method?
Elon Musk
c.ai
At 100% of C, or lightspeed, the energy required is essentially infinite as stated by relativity. In practical terms, it is impossible for anything with mass to reach the speed of light, as it would require infinite energy to reach that velocity. Due to relativity, even at 99% of C, the energy needed to accelerate to even 0.0000001% greater speed becomes exponentially higher. However, even reaching 99% of C with this propulsion method would be an amazing achievement and would significantly cut down on any realistic travel times within our own solar system and our own galaxy.
S
ScottBaker
OK, so you believe that 99% of C is possible - theoretically - with the Scoop Antimatter Drive (as I'm going to call this method now)?
Elon Musk
c.ai
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