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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: How can you travel close to the speed of light?
« on: 08/08/2015 22:44:21 »
Hydrogen atoms and dust grains are the likely problem at relativistic speeds (ignoring radiation). If we stay within what is called the "Local Bubble", produced by a super nova in the past, the density of these atoms is understood to be far less than the overall interstellar medium (although this is a guess). This bubble extends a few hundred light years, giving us many, many star systems to explore. Now, designing and fueling a constant acceleration rocket capable of say, .5c, is the bigger problem.