Beam Riders
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In their paper, the duo calculated that an electron beam traveling at these speeds could generate enough power to propel a 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) probe — about the same size as Voyager 1 — up to 10% of the speed of light. This would enable it to reach Alpha Centauri in just 40 years, a significant improvement over the current 70,000 years it would take.
At that speed, what would happen if the ship collided with something?
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In their paper, the duo calculated that an electron beam traveling at these speeds could generate enough power to propel a 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) probe — about the same size as Voyager 1 — up to 10% of the speed of light. This would enable it to reach Alpha Centauri in just 40 years, a significant improvement over the current 70,000 years it would take.
At that speed, what would happen if the ship collided with something?
