Quote by Isaac Asimov
At two-tenths the speed of light, dust and atoms might not do significant damage even in a voyage of 40 years, but the faster you go, the worse it is--space begins to become abrasive. When you begin to approach the speed of light, hydrogen atoms become cosmic-ray particles, and they will fry the crew. ...So 60,000 kilometers per second may be the practical speed limit for space travel.
Summary
This quote explains how as a spacecraft approaches the speed of light, the dangers of dust and atoms in space become increasingly hazardous. At two-tenths the speed of light, the damage might be manageable over a 40-year voyage, but as the speed increases, space starts to become abrasive. Eventually, hydrogen atoms, which normally exist harmlessly, transform into high-energy cosmic-ray particles that could be fatal to the crew. Therefore, this quote suggests that a practical speed limit for space travel might be around 60,000 kilometers per second, to mitigate the risks associated with cosmic particles.
Topics
Space
By Isaac Asimov
Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.
