Speaking of "science fiction", in most cases we mean by this & quot; space i> Science Fiction & quot ;. In the sense that the future we already seems almost unthinkable without space exploration.
And if the development of our solar system, everything seems to be relatively simple and clear - modes of transportation are different only in degree naplevatelstva authors to the laws of momentum, inertia and astrodynamics, the interstellar continuous flights it's much more interesting. Options have very different - from classical and did not offend the physics options to sending ships on regular jet-powered, loaded or ice cream carcasses either equipped for a long stay on their populations of people for generations to quite so exotic options, such as the use of Ada as an intermediate stop.
In this article, I tried to make a review of the methods of delivery of mortal human bodies from one star system to another, which are the most popular product of the NF, plus one is my personal favorite. Star Wars
hyperdrive h5>
Star Wars was not a product, invented the hyperdrive. However, they have become a classic and best-known example of this technology is so widespread that it is actually a way to get from star A to star B, the implied default.
The principle of operation is to ensure that the spacecraft with a specific generator or motor falls into a parallel reality that has different laws of physics, allowing the ship or move there much faster than light, or flying a short distance there, covering light, in ordinary space. < br />
Hyperdrive and giperspeys Star Wars, however, has its own nuance. Hyperspace and the usual space are interconnected and affect each other. Material objects discarded into hyperspace gravity "shadow", which should be avoided. The clash with the shadow leads to disastrous results, in the case of the ship and the population of the world is quite an apocalyptic event that could split the planet's crust. For this reason, all the ships are equipped with SG sewn safety systems that automatically forces the ship in normal space, if it is too close to the gravitational shadow. Some of these systems are shut off in order to fly in extreme conditions, but predictably do not last long.
Star Trek
Warp engine h5>
Of all the ways of travel, opisnyh in this article Warp - this is probably the only technology FTL, which now has a real chance of being embodied in life. Ie it can safely be called the most realistic way to travel faster than the speed of light from all known. Let it is and remains just a formula on paper. This is the двигателе Alcubierre .
The operating principle follows from the way around special relativity postulates that nothing in the space can not move faster than the speed of light. "Path" is a postulate that this does not extend to the space itself, which can shrink and expand by different influences, for example the gravitational field of bodies. Warp engine compresses the space in front of the ship, and expands it behind the ship, moving bubble of ordinary space with the ship forward.
In the universe of Star Trek, these engines develop a fairly modest by the standards of science fiction speed - Enterprise travels were limited to one sector of the galaxy close to the solar system (~ 1500 light years) takes years, and left a bunch of white spots and unexplored areas.
Babylon 5
Jumping gates h5>
Babylon 5 uses a network connection between the stars jump gates leading into hyperspace. Basically, it is a variation of the standard idea of a hyperdrive, however there are some differences that make it more interesting option.
Firstly, most of the ships are not able to go into hyperspace own, except in the most large. So jump gate network is very much appreciated in the galaxy is considered a neutral zone and direct attacks on the gates themselves are considered a violation of the rules of warfare and all the ultimate manifestation of rudeness, because they need all the interstellar civilizations.
Secondly, the very hyper in Babylon-5 is very active and independent navigation in it is considered impossible. Conventional signals do not reach the ships, and constant changes in gravity in hyperspace blows off course, and the ships themselves. For the orientation of the spacecraft using a beam of tachyons are forwarding between beacons installed near the points of entry and exit into hyperspace jump gate, and in the case of loss of the signal beam, the ship can be considered irretrievably lost.
But apparently, this situation applies only to "new" civilizations, as all higher species like the Vorlon and Shadow use hyperspace without the need for lighthouses. The hyperspace is also some own life, which is however often remains quite indifferent to the ships flying past.
In the third, Babylon 5 is one of the very few universes in general as something affecting the economic aspect of the network of interstellar routes. During passage through the jump gate is charged with ships passing through them, as well as with the governments to which the ships belong for the possibility to use the gate on the territory of the parties will be charged. Personally, I like parts in other works I can not remember at all, and if there is something the economy, the ending to "we bought for our starship hyperdrive».
Interestingly, none of the currently existing civilizations themselves Gates did not invent the technology, but only found or bought from someone else that unites them with the setting in the following list.
Mass Effect
element zero h5>
All spacecraft universe Mass Effect somehow use the element zero, which generates a designated mass effect or reducing the weight of the objects around it, or enhancing it. Thus, it is possible povertet relativity and exceed the speed of light.
Ordinary travel between planets and stars closely spaced are made with FTL engines are only able to reduce the weight of the ship. For interstellar overflights over long distances using Mass Relay - enormous station, built around a dense core element consisting of zero. The relay is usually tied to one or more other relays, and are able to create a corridor, in which the mass actually disappears almost instantly transferring the ship to thousands of light-years.
Many of these relays was originally for some reason, is turned off, and the Galactic Commonwealth beginning to actively explore, which can lead such a relay. This eventually led to that they met with an aggressive form of arachnids, which unleashed a merciless war with them. Subsequently, shutdown relays include a ban, because of the fear to dig in the depths of the universe which is worse. Because of this, people found near Pluto one of these relays, then initially earned a disapproval rating of the Galaxy, as began to explore the network of relay and include them right and left, which resulted in a war against one of the species turians who tried to stop it disgrace.
Stargate
Stargate h5>
In the setting of Stargate interstellar travel a few atypical. In order to be on another planet, the spacecraft ... is not necessary. Transfers between stars by using Stargate, rings, several meters in diameter, made of exotic material, constructed of ancient extinct civilization, and themselves spaceships are not used so often.
Stargate is activated to create a stable wormhole-way between the calling and the called ring-ring, allowing you to instantly move any objects suitable size to get through the wormhole.
Unilateralism gate stems from their mode of action: the matter is not going through a transition of the wormhole, so sending the gates are reviewing passing through their facilities on subatomic particles, and take the gate reconstruct the resulting material back into matter. Spoiler for SG-1's In addition to this, the gate can hold a information of the last pass an object within a certain time, and in an episode of the series is used to return to the life of the deceased during displacement member of the team ... That, in turn, leads me to the conclusion that every movement using the Stargate is essentially the destruction of the original and creating an identical copy of its output. In general, I would not recommend this method of travel between planets.
Each Gate has its own seven-digit number, six characters define the coordinates of the host's Gate, and the seventh character defines the transmission Gate. The eighth character is used to communicate with the Gates are outside the usual network of action - usually in another galaxy.
In addition to the Stargate used as the usual classic ships, for various reasons, such as a massive attack, or if the destination planet simply does not have the Stargate. In this case, the ships used very classic way of hyperspace, only sometimes with downright obscenely high efficiency (In one case, a space cruiser Asgard civilization was able to overcome the distance between the two galaxies in a few minutes i>). However, despite this, transportation via the Gate remains the preferred option.