Space travel?

Question

Does anyone think we will ever be advanced enough to send astronauts to the Andromeda galaxy?

Answer 1

Well given enough time (about 3 billion years) the Andromeda Galaxy will be visiting us when our galaxies collide.

But to answer your question properly...
At current understanding of physics it is next to impossible. Current theoretical physics still say it is impossible to travel faster than the speed of light, assuming your spacecraft has a maximum speed of "lightspeed" the time it would take is 2.5 million years. So if you can cryogenically freeze someone, or somehow extend life for millions of years, or sustain generations of humans aboard an intergalactic vessel for 2.5 million years (less given the fact that the Andromeda Galaxy is on a collision course with us) Then theoretically its possible, again, just not probable.

Maybe if we discover some future means of transport that allows us to get around physics limitations on speed such as teleportation (Quantum physics say every atom in the galaxy is connected to and affected by every other atom in the galaxy) or Einstein-Rosen bridges (wormholes, assuming you could survive going through one.)

Theres plenty within our own galaxy to see.

Answer 2

I'd like to think that we could one day, but it's without doubt in the far, far future. It's hard enough to travel to other stars, let alone another galaxy. It even takes light more than 2 million years to travel from Andromeda.

If we are going to become inter-galactic, it will have to be utilising wormholes or something equally exotic. As things stands, wormholes are merely theory and we cannot even begin to imagine creating our own.

Assuming that we don't destroy ourselves or our planet, I believe that one day we will possess the technology. It is quite likely that this will not happen for thousands, or even millions of years. Just think about how far our technology has advanced in less than a century - from the Wright Brothers to the Apollo Moon landings - and then try and imagine just how much we could achieve in 100,000 years, or 1 million. It boggles the mind.

Answer 3

Not anytime soon. The major problem is speed of travel is limited to about 30,000 Miles Per Hour...in that vicinity. 4.5 Light Years is a huge distance to travel, even at that speed it would take years to go there and years to return. To do so would immense amounts of fuel and consumeable supplies such as food, air, and water. Getting all of that material up into space is a huge burden and very expensive.

Consider for a moment the amount of air needed for a crew of four or five to last for 12 years + Reserve supplies. Next, do the same for water at 8 pounds per gallon. And, then food at, say, 4 Pounds per day per person.

Beyond that very important consideration, think about the idea of locking yourself into a tin can for 12 years. That is going to take some really special people to make that dedication to science.

Answer 4

i mostly agree with the answer of 'shootgreedofirst', but

1.) when travelling with the speed of light, the traveller itself would think he is there instantaneous, but of course your friends on earth are some 2.5 million years older

2.) quantum theory doesn't say that all particles are interconnected... but it is possible to connect one or more of them (entaglement).. but this wouldn't help either

additional thoughts:
but there's a effect known in quantum physics, which is called tunneling... which would allow a particle to fluctuate instantaneous to some place in the universe... but again... current physics says, that this only works for particles, not for the macroscopic world

maybe spring theory helps, if it correct... then we could use the extra dimensions to find a 'shortcut' to andromeda and beyond

Answer 5

Just taking things into perspective....
If we put the formation of our solar system in a time scale of 24 hours, human beings came into existence half an hour ago.
And in this half-hour our brains hardly 150 millimeters across, are almost ready with explanations on how this universe more than 150 billion light years across functions.
Also remember we have already started jumping on the moon.

Answer 6

I don't think it's possible, even if you travel with the speed of light (which is impossible), it'd take about 4.5 light years to get to another galaxy.Who can live that long?

Answer 7

Dr Zephran Cochrane will figure it out

Answer 8

No,they will come to us!