Physics of the Future, by Michio Kaku

Chapter Six

1.  Hollywood television and movies make space travel look so easy.  Who knew it was really so complicated?  In the near term (present to 2030), Kaku discusses the current state of affairs with our space program.  While advancements are meager, at best, there is small progress on the horizon. 

- What are the main challenges to locating and identifying other “earth-like” planets? 

- What is the “Goldilocks Zone?”  Why is Europa different?

2.  “While robotic missions will continue to open new vistas for space exploration, the manned missions will face much greater hurdles. This is because, compared to manned missions, robotic missions are cheap and versatile; can explore dangerous environments; don’t require costly life support; and most important, don’t have to come back.”

- What are the primary obstacles to manned space missions?

- What roles have politics and funding played in recent decisions?

           

3.  Kaku acknowledges, “The task of establishing a permanent presence on the moon faces many obstacles.”

- What are some of these obstacles?

4.  By midcentury (2030 to 2070), a mission to Mars may be in progress.  Yet, the challenges are numerous.

- Specifically, how do concerns about water and atmosphere affect potential trips to Mars?

5.  Kaku notes that by midcentury, we might have opportunity to engage in space travel via tourism (and lots of $$$).

- What’s our progress with space tourism so far?

 6.  Kaku notes that in the far future (2070 to 2100), “nanotechnology might even make possible the fabled space elevator. Like Jack and the beanstalk, we might be able to climb into the clouds and beyond. We would enter an elevator, push the up button, and then ascend along a carbon nanotube fiber that is thousands of miles long. This could turn the economics of space travel upside down.”

- All elevator jokes aside, why is this such a difficult project?

7.  “By the end of the century, even despite recent setbacks in funding for manned space missions, scientists will likely have set up outposts on Mars and perhaps in the asteroid belt. Next, they will set their sights on an actual star. Although an interstellar probe is hopelessly beyond reach today, within 100 years it might become a reality. The first challenge is to find a new propulsion system. Several designs and propulsions systems have been proposed for an interstellar craft:

“Solar sail, nuclear rocket, ramjet fusion, and nanoships.” 

- Discuss the mechanics of each.

8.  Kaku concludes, “Given the fact that earth will be the home of humanity for centuries to come, this raises another question:

- How will civilization itself evolve?

- How will science affect our lifestyle, our jobs, and our society?

- Science is the engine of prosperity, so how will it reshape civilization and wealth in the future?

- Your thoughts on these?