will it ever be possible for mankind to reach the outer limits of our solar system ?

Question

I'm thinking one of Jupiters moons would make a great bus stop since it emits heat.......and you ?

Answer 1

Yes, it will.

It would be a very long journey using modern rockets but new ideas have been proposed that would enable spacecraft to travel at much greater speeds.

Nuclear Pulse Propulsion - Spacecraft is fueled by small pellets which undergo nuclear fusion. These pellets are fired into the space between the spacecraft and a leading sail (medusa). The kinetic energy released by the explosion pushes on the sail and propels the spacecraft forward at a very high speed. The rate at which the pellets are fired depends on the desired speed.

Antimatter Catalyzed Nuclear Pulse Propulsion - The same concept as Nuclear Pulse Propulsion but antimatter particles are injected into the nuclear fuel allowing for greater energy output.

The potential speed of travel with this technology has been estimated to reach 5 to 80% the speed of light. This means that humans may eventually be able to travel to other stars.

Answer 2

I think it probable that someday someone–maybe someone with a terminal disease–will volunteer to ride a rocket "out of the solar system." Without arguing how far that would be, 50,000 AU maybe, that would be possible, and whatever is possible could well happen. If, on the other hand, mankind is expected to go 'in the flesh,' and a destination is implied, even a trip to Proxima Centauri, 4.3 light years away, would simply take too long. Without altering the makeup of the human body beyond what is implied by 'mankind,' there is a limit to the acceleration that the body can sustain. Knowing the distance and estimating this maximum acceleration, one can readily calculate the corresponding time of flight, and the number greatly exceeds any reasonable 'human' lifetime. That leaves the old science fiction scenario of a space ship big enough to contain a functioning, self-sustaining culture. Is that within the capability of 'mankind'? Yes, if we don't wipe ourselves out first. Is it probable? No. There needs to be a reason to make the trip, and I cannot conceive of one. Why would a culture fire itself out of the solar system knowing that none of the original astronauts (or their immediate generations) will survive to the destination... And there is nothing at Proxima Centauri to justify going.

Answer 3

??? What crap are you telling? None of the moons of Jupiter is emitting heat, all their surfaces are below 160 K and that'S damn cold !!!
However, we already reach the outer limits. Remeber the probe called pioneer, that is meanwhile gone as far as the so called Orth's cloud. This defines the very edge not only of our solar system, but probably also solar influence. This is so far away, that, if you could travel with pioneer and turn around, you couldn't distinguish our sun from other stars around.

Answer 4

It will be possible if in the future, people would stop fighting wars and remove corruption from our society. Besides, the technology we have right now is not capable of doing such things. Perhaps in the late future some talented person/people will be able to find out a cheaper, safer and a faster way to travel in space and reach planets which will support human life.
I am terribly sorry if I offend you, but like Stephen Hawkins, I think it would be a waste of time, money and resources to explore dead planets and do something over there, like that great bus stop of yours. It would be much better if we can detect/see a habitable planet (which can support human life) by a telescope and settle there peacefully.

Answer 5

id say it already is possible for man to reach the outer limits of our solar system. I believe NASA sent a probe to pass by pluto and take pictures. Im sure we are able to send men that far as well, its just that its doubtfull it will be done. It would take a long time to get there and just about impossible to have enough fuel to return. The rocket they were sending would only be able to take a few pictures and tests as it flew by pluto and send them back with radio waves. it would then just float on and crash into something. no way to get back.

Answer 6

Yes, it may be possible now, except the time required would be lengthy and the main concern is the astronauts health. We've already sent probes that far, a manned probe isn't impossible. Artificial Gravity, when invented, could make such a journey much more of a reality.

Answer 7

saturns moons are a prime target. the moon is the first step, then mars. but right now it would take years to reach the outer solar system unless new tech is invented

Answer 8

I would say it is incredibly plausible that it could be done but unlikely because there hasn't been any ideas where money was to be made on an expedition, which would obviously cost an enormous amount of money to undertake.

Answer 9

yes of course....today inst the same as 50 years ago. we are advancing very swiftly in science and technology. it would not be surprisingly that we could even use teleportation as a type of transportation. knowing that everything thing around u is a product of atoms. it would not be a shock if scientist develop a machine that can transport atoms.......

Answer 10

Who will be the first person to walk on Uranus?