One step closer to warp drive
 

Ok, it's not really Star Trek. But this experiment, which tries to measure a theory that is as old as I am is the first step toward accurately testing one of Einstein's theories on gravity and space. It really is one baby step towards advanced space travel.

Satellite to Test Einstein Predictions

I don't get it. Astronomers have been using gravity lensing for years to magnify distant objects. So what's to prove - they prove it every day?

The twisting.:)

This may be why there are science fiction stories about 'fold space' faster than light travel.

BTW, did anyone else snicker when they read about scientists trying to create a set of perfect balls?:D

Better not let the conservatives hear that or they'll pull your funding.

I wish I had that kind of funding to test my balls.

do you deeply desire to send your balls into space and twist them?

Einstein's work described a relationship between electromagnetic waves, space, and time. He failed to describe that relationship to gravity. Inability to grasp gravity was due, in part, to his refusal to acknowledge the still 'hard to fathom' concepts of quantum mechanics. A step to warp drive means that we still must grasp these quantum mechanics problems. And yet most new and major quantum mechanics work is moving to Europe where funding for such research is better appreciated. The trophy of that research will be the Cern large haldron collider that will start operation in 2007. Its first job will be to better understand muons - to complete the 'standard model'.

How does gravity work? When we say it sucks, well, that is how much progress we have been making since Einstein addressed his life to its understanding. Some principles have been theorized and proven by robot space research vehicles (manned space research has been mostly unproductive). Successful work in advanced research is found in impressive and necessary tools - such as Hubble and the Super Collider. We need both. We are now even losing Hubble. God bless the Europeans for being what is, by definition, a patriotic American. Men who advance mankind. In the meantime, three Yuks for a mental midget president who would waste good research money on his legacy - a useless manned flight to Mars. Something that will never result in the creation of warp drive - or any other revolutionary propulsion system for that matter.

I prefer to test balls at 1G, although I hear 0G might be fun. I have little to no design experience and therefore will have to test someone else's balls.

Volunteers?

I giggle at both threads in this conversation.

That would depend on the method of testing involved.

Informed Consent you know...

Would the above test be require knowledge of fluid dynamics or solid state mechanics?

most ball tests of that nature involve a combination of friction and lubrication components. hydraulic behavior information can also be gleaned through tangental information "released" in most of these test as well.