Space
8colliding matter and antimatter and converting
the explosive energy to propulsion. The show sug-
gests that this extraordinary power alone pushes
the ship at faster-than-light speeds.
The Alcubierre drive, first proposed by theo-
retical physicist Miguel Alcubierre, conforms to
Einstein’s theory of general relativity to achieve
superluminal travel. It works a bit like the classic
“tablecloth and dishes” party trick: The spaceship
sits atop the tablecloth of spacetime, the drive pulls
the fabric around it, and the ship is situated in a new
place relative to the fabric. Alcubierre describes
spacetime expanding on one side of the ship and
contracting on the other, thanks to an enormous
amount of energy and a requisite amount of exotic
matter—in this case, negative energy.
Alcubierre's theory creates a kind of pocket in
spacetime where a spaceship can operate outside of
physics. He insists the requirement for exotic mat-
ter is not implausible within quantum mechanics.
The paradox holding back an Alcubierre, in
addition to limitations like a lack of negative
energy density, is that the direction of a space-
craft is arbitrary when the drive is used—there’s
no steering it. Sci-fi has solved this paradox with
“stable wormholes,” but NASA can’t f ly a deus ex
machina to Alpha Centauri.
So White suggests a different paradigm in his
report. Instead of a stationary spacecraft engag-
ing the Alcubierre drive from a stopped position,
White explains: “In this modified concept, the
spacecraft departs earth, establishes an initial
subluminal velocity, then initiates the field. The
field’s boost acts on the initial velocity as a scalar
multiplier, resulting in a much higher appar-
ent speed.” The ship would use a rolling start as
a directional cue.
In 2011, White conducted a field sensitivity
analysis on Alcubierre’s model to see if he could
shake loose any new insights. He found that Alcu-
bierre’s original drive creates a relatively weak
field, with negative vacuum energy on the side
of the craft being pushed through a fold in space-
time. By making a more robust field, White says,
“you could reduce the strain on spacetime so the
amount of energy the trick takes to work is sig-
nificantly reduced. Think metric ton as opposed
to Jupiter.”
White suggests the proving ground for warp
speed could be closer to home than the nearest
stars. If scientists can make the so-called “neg-
ative mass” required for an Alcubierre drive,
even a tiny example could be deployed within
Earth’s atmosphere. “[T]he idea of a warp drive
may have some fruitful domestic applications
‘subliminally,’ allowing it to be matured before
it is engaged as a true interstellar drive system,”
he explains. An early example could drastically
increase speed and reliability of carrying payloads
into space. Using a small “beginner” warp drive,
White suggests, will give scientists something to
iterate as they grow the technology.32 September/October 2020
PARAMOUNT/COURTESY:^EVERETT^ COLLECTION5 TECHNOLOGIES
WE FIRST SAW ON
STAR TREK
CELLPHONE
The original
Star Trek’s
communicator
looks like a flip
phone and operates
like an advanced
two-way radio.
It even has voice
commands.TRACTOR
BEAM
In real life, these only
work on microscopic
particles, not
spaceships. But in
2020, they allowed
scientists to hold a
single atom for the
first time.TAB LET
In 1987, Star Trek:
The Next Generation
introduced the
handheld Personal
Access Display
Device (PADD),
which held reports
the crew passed to
each other.UNIVERSAL
TRANSLATOR
Google and
Twitter have near-
universal language
detection in text,
just short of Star
Trek’s convenient,
automatic verbal
translator.GRAPHIC
USER
INTERFACE
The first primitive
GUI predates
the series’ iconic
computer menus,
but most people
had to wait decades
to use one.ALCUBIERRE DESCRIBES
EXPANDING SPACETIME ON ONE
SIDE OF A SHIP WHILE CONTRACTING
IT ON THE OTHER.
"