Want to write a novel and keep it scientifically accurate? I can help!
[B]Atomic Rockets[/B]
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/2ai2c68.jpg[/IMG]
URL: [url]http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/[/url]
This site is a must-read. It's a reference that explains in detail every single part of a spacecraft. List of engines? Check. Life support? Check. Structure of hull? Check.
And it has a lot of details about things like Interstellar Colonization and Aliens that are not directly related to spacecraft design but to spaceflight.
Some cool things I learnt (To save you hours of reading):
- Photon Drives are Crap: A photon drive is basically an engine that fires photons for thrust. A giant laser. The problem is that it requires [B]three hundred terawatts of power for a single newton of thrust.[/B] Not trolling here. See for yourselves: [url]http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/rocket3p.html#tinsley[/url]
- FTL is Impossible: Well, not really. But the only two plausible things are wormholes (Which are theoretical and require Negative Energy) and the Alcubierre Drive (And that one probably requires huge amounts of energy and also needs Negative Energy, and NE is theoretical). If you're writing a novel, focus on the [B]effects[/B] and not the causes: For example, establish limits to the FTL drive, like the impossibility to make a jump when one is near a very massive body like a star or planet. With the current tech we have, and our understanding of physics, the [B]causes[/B] of an FTL drive might be a woman flipping Tarot cards.
- Laser are Probably Never Going to Happen: Big bad-ass lasers on the top of a spacecraft? Sure, why not. LAser pistols? Sorry bro. They require a shit-ton of power.
[B]Orion's Arm[/B]
[IMG]http://www.orionsarm.com/im_store/backstory_5.jpg[/IMG]
URL: [url]http://www.orionsarm.com/[/url]
Orion's Arm is a collaborative world-building project. The purpose is to create a hard sci-fi universe. As described in the homepage:
[QUOTE]
Welcome to Orion's Arm, a scenario set thousands of years in the future where civilization spans the stars. Godlike ascended intelligences rule vast interstellar empires, and lesser factions seek to carve out their own dominions through intrigue and conquest. And out beyond the edge of civilized space and the human friendly worlds, adventure awaits those prepared to risk all.
Come join us in this ever-expanding collective worldbuilding effort. Within the vast universe that is Orion's Arm you will find:
Hard Science
Plausible Technology
Realistic Cultural Development
A vast Setting
10,000+ years of historical development
Realistic Exobiology
[/QUOTE]
tl;dr: No humanoid aliens and FTL drives.
The Encyclopedia Galactica page has a lot of information and I found the "Everyday Tech" page to be very interesting. However, some of it is based on assumptions (Like the existence of Negative Energy).
It has a lot of details about possible megastructures, from a Dyson Sphere to a [B]mirror to move a star[/B].
Some cool stuff:
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=493d339fee0c1[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=4ba0f009dffe1[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=493d299bc818c[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=45f0c92d9c7a1[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=45f0c79d13c29[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/eg-topic/45c68b98779ad[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=48472ab83cce0[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=464f886f7f338[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-article&egart_uid=4845fbe091a18[/url]
[url]http://www.orionsarm.com/eg-topic/45b5645097563[/url]
[B]Next Big Future[/B]
URL: [url]http://nextbigfuture.com/[/url]
I don't know much about this one, but I heard it's basically a compilation of stuff that might happen in the future. Very handy.
When all else fails:
[url]http://www.google.com[/url]
I don't know dude, the first couple threads were awesome and refreshing, it's just pushing it now.
[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;21270065]I don't know dude, the first couple threads were awesome and refreshing, it's just pushing it now.[/QUOTE]
I guess...
Sometimes uber hard sci-fi isn't always the best.
I fucking love laser pistols, for example, even though they're scientifically nigh on impossible.
FTL is also usually needed. Just make it believable and give it limits (like you said, no warping near planets etc.)
[QUOTE=BaconDioxide;21270214]Sometimes uber hard sci-fi isn't always the best.
I fucking love laser pistols, for example, even though they're scientifically nigh on impossible.
FTL is also usually needed. Just make it believable and give it limits (like you said, no warping near planets etc.)[/QUOTE]
Another option is to invent an excuse.
You can say that, for example, the genius artificial intelligences designed a cold fusion reactor that fits inside a laser pistol.
[QUOTE=Eudoxia;21270250]Another option is to invent an excuse.
You can say that, for example, the genius artificial intelligences designed a cold fusion reactor that fits inside a laser pistol.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, or that. One of the reasons I love Mass Effect is that it does try to explain a lot of the mechanics of the science that they invented. It gives the the whole thing coherency.
To correct the OP: three hundred terrawatts of [B]power[/B].
Energy is measured in Joules.
[QUOTE=BaconDioxide;21270306]Yeah, or that. One of the reasons I love Mass Effect is that it does try to explain a lot of the mechanics of the science that they invented. It gives the the whole thing coherency.[/QUOTE]
Especially since many of the concepts are, theoretically, possible. Not with our technology, and odds are they'll never be anything more than an idea, but the entire mass-effect is a sound concept.
This was too much for me to read! D:>
[QUOTE=Arachnidus;21272122]Especially since many of the concepts are, theoretically, possible. Not with our technology, and odds are they'll never be anything more than an idea, but the entire mass-effect is a sound concept.[/QUOTE]
I gotta say, I think the whole eezo-electrical current field manipulating thing is brilliant.
They use it to explain everything from biotics, FTL travel, artificial gravity etc. [I]and it makes sense.[/I]
Too bad the concept of "element zero" itself is nonsensical.
We just need to find a alien race who has discovered all the secrets of the universe.
[QUOTE=Arachnidus;21272122]Especially since many of the concepts are, theoretically, possible. Not with our technology, and odds are they'll never be anything more than an idea, but the entire [B]mass-effect[/B] is a sound concept.[/QUOTE]
How [I]dare [/I]you use that properly in a sentence!
I can't wait for another technological revolution.
[QUOTE=BaconDioxide;21272392]I gotta say, I think the whole eezo-electrical current field manipulating thing is brilliant.
They use it to explain everything from biotics, FTL travel, artificial gravity etc. [I]and it makes sense.[/I]
Too bad the concept of "element zero" itself is nonsensical.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, but, hey, we've made extraordinary discoveries since the dawn of science(mainly, well, everything), so you never know.
[QUOTE=Sickle;21273592]How [I]dare [/I]you use that properly in a sentence!
I can't wait for another technological revolution.[/QUOTE]
The closest technological revolution would probably be the discovery of a room-temperature superconductor, which would spark a new industrial revolution. However, this may take a very long while.
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_conductor[/url]
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