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Originally Posted by GatorB
Ok first all recently us primitive humans has possibly found a planet capable of sustaining life. It's not out of the realm that a alien culture hundreds if not thousands of years more advanced has even better detection abilities. Not to mention for at least 60 years we have been sending out TV signals across the galaxy. Even an alien society only as advanced as ours would be able to locate where our signals are coming from.
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And has anyone responded?
So, assuming that all they needed was to be as advanced as ours, the least they would have done is sent a response if they existed, right? So where is it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GatorB
An engine based on nuclear fusion wouldn't take much fuel at all.
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Why don't you go ahead and run some numbers on exactly how much fuel a nuclear fusion based propulsion device would need to send an object the size of the space shuttle to a distance of a few hundred light years?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GatorB
I'm not going to explain Einstein's theory of relativity, but sufficive to say a trip at light speed at would say take 4 years to get her from the nearest star would only seem like maybe weeks or even hours to anyone in a ship capable of going light speed.
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Actually, four light years, travelling at light speed is about 7 months.
Now, multiply that for the FEW HUNDRED light years it is likely to take to get to the nearest planet supporting life. That's where I got the "a few generations" statement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GatorB
So no you wouldn't need many provisions. Also you assume such aliens need to eat and drink as often as we do.
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Any living being requires fuel. That's what food is, afterall. Yes, that amount of fuel varies according to the size, species, and activity level of the organism but it is still needed and therefore must be stored.