Breaking the Warp Barrier for Faster-Than-Light Travel: New Theoretical Hyper-Fast Solitons Discovered

Different Spacecraft Designs Warp Bubbles

Artistic impression of different spacecraft designs considering theoretical shapes of different kinds of “warp bubbles.” Credit: E Lentz

Astrophysicist at Göttingen University discovers new theoretical hyper-fast soliton solutions.

If travel to distant stars within an individual’s lifetime is going to be possible, a means of faster-than-light propulsion will have to be found. To date, even recent research about superluminal (faster-than-light) transport based on Einstein’s theory of general relativity would require vast amounts of hypothetical particles and states of matter that have “exotic” physical properties such as negative energy density. This type of matter either cannot currently be found or cannot be manufactured in viable quantities. In contrast, new research carried out at the University of Göttingen gets around this problem by constructing a new class of hyper-fast ‘solitons’ using sources with only positive energies that can enable travel at any speed. This reignites debate about the possibility of faster-than-light travel based on conventional physics. The research is published in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity.

The author of the paper, Dr. Erik Lentz, analyzed existing research and discovered gaps in previous ‘warp drive’ studies. Lentz noticed that there existed yet-to-be explored configurations of space-time curvature organized into ‘solitons’ that have the potential to solve the puzzle while being physically viable. A soliton – in this context also informally referred to as a ‘warp bubble’ – is a compact wave that maintains its shape and moves at constant velocity. Lentz derived the Einstein equations for unexplored soliton configurations (where the space-time metric’s shift vector components obey a hyperbolic relation), finding that the altered space-time geometries could be formed in a way that worked even with conventional energy sources. In essence, the new method uses the very structure of space and time arranged in a soliton to provide a solution to faster-than-light travel, which – unlike other research – would only need sources with positive energy densities. No “exotic” negative energy densities needed.

Rocket to Spacecraft to Warp Drive

Image to show how long it would take different types of spacecraft to travel from our solar system to Proxima Centauri (the nearest known star). Currently, the only option would be to use a chemical rocket meaning a journey time of over 50,000 years. Credit: E Lentz

If sufficient energy could be generated, the equations used in this research would allow space travel to Proxima Centauri, our nearest star, and back to Earth in years instead of decades or millennia. That means an individual could travel there and back within their lifetime. In comparison, the current rocket technology would take more than 50,000 years for a one-way journey. In addition, the solitons (warp bubbles) were configured to contain a region with minimal tidal forces such that the passing of time inside the soliton matches the time outside: an ideal environment for a spacecraft. This means there would not be the complications of the so-called “twin paradox” whereby one twin traveling near the speed of light would age much more slowly than the other twin who stayed on Earth: in fact, according to the recent equations both twins would be the same age when reunited.

“This work has moved the problem of faster-than-light travel one step away from theoretical research in fundamental physics and closer to engineering. The next step is to figure out how to bring down the astronomical amount of energy needed to within the range of today’s technologies, such as a large modern nuclear fission power plant. Then we can talk about building the first prototypes,” says Lentz.

Currently, the amount of energy required for this new type of space propulsion drive is still immense. Lentz explains, “The energy required for this drive traveling at light speed encompassing a spacecraft of 100 meters in radius is on the order of hundreds of times of the mass of the planet Jupiter. The energy savings would need to be drastic, of approximately 30 orders of magnitude to be in range of modern nuclear fission reactors.” He goes on to say: “Fortunately, several energy-saving mechanisms have been proposed in earlier research that can potentially lower the energy required by nearly 60 orders of magnitude.” Lentz is currently in the early-stages of determining if these methods can be modified, or if new mechanisms are needed to bring the energy required down to what is currently possible.

Reference: “Breaking the warp barrier: hyper-fast solitons in Einstein–Maxwell-plasma theory” by Erik W Lentz, 9 March 2021, Classical and Quantum Gravity.
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6382/abe692

22 Comments on "Breaking the Warp Barrier for Faster-Than-Light Travel: New Theoretical Hyper-Fast Solitons Discovered"

  1. “Sufficient Energy” This already exist in the form of Element 115. If the Unauthorized Black Projects are ever revealed, word on the grapevine says its actually instantaneous. Lets go to Alpha Centaur i.

    • If we had that kind of energy on earth, everyone would know.

      If only because that much energy in one place would have as much gravity as Jupiter.

  2. Proposed mechanism is a propagation of a distortion of spacetime of a particular form. Thus it is ultimately very much like propagation of gravitational waves. However gravitational waves propagate with speed of light. Therefore I don’t see how it may be possible.

  3. “Take us Out… Chekov”

  4. The biggest form of untapped energy is at rest and stable energy. We only think of energy in it’s transitions.
    If we would convert the energy of stable space it is limitless.

    • Useful work of any kind has always, not only by man but by nature as well, only been accomplishable by exploiting an energy gradient (i.e. harnessing the movement of energy from where it is plentiful to where it is scarce). That’s what entropy is.

      Find a way around that and we won’t *need* warp drives, we can simply create anything and everything we could ever want from nothing, forever.

  5. You mean element 151…

  6. IDK. I think it is about TIME… to find a horse of a different color. The protocols heron defined have “designed” a wonderful “horseshoe” (RELATIVELY speaking) and are busy trying to fit it to an elephant just because it’s in the ROOM: where time and space are limited… TIME to leave the womb… er… ROOM. Which is to say: Star Trekking is a fantasy, a phantasm and a FICTION devised inside a “boxy” Universe, whose PHYSICS seem to conform to the BIAS of Mortality (TIME is the limiting factor). It engenders HASTE in seeking a solution: We are “on the run”, desperately looking for a way to boldly go where no HUMAN has gone before. Good LUCK with that. Back to the Horseshoe, in want of a “NAIL”. As DANTE writ above the GATES of Hell: “Abandon ye all HOPE who enter here:” Where strayeth the MIND the FEET will follow. But it’s not about Feet, or Miles or Light Years. SINGULARITIES ALL: Infinite acceleration = Infinite ENTROPY. One is effectively DEAD in the water, while the proverbial WORM in the HOLE has a feast. It’s about standing still in the STREAM of Time, while SPACE flows on around ONE: A STREAM where the banks are in motion as well. It’s about being IN the FIELD and NOT UNDER IT. No need for flesh-liquifying SPEED. Think about it… In the meantime, ring up ACME Fireworks Inc. Ask for the “Wile E Coyote” Package. Next stop: Alpha CENTAURI… now passing URANUS on the way out of here. WARP NINE MISTER WARF. MAKE IT SO. Walk the World Round and wind up where you started from. FEET again. It is the ultimate Circular Argument of Intent in a two-dimensional UNIVERSE, OUTSIDE of TIME. The FABRIC of a DREAM…

  7. Douglas Dana Goncz | March 12, 2021 at 12:06 pm | Reply

    A very small craft might be fitted with a very high power drive. A craft of 100m radius is mentioned. Eventually we will miniaturize the craft.

  8. Heather Phoenix | March 12, 2021 at 7:14 pm | Reply

    I totally agree with you because no way would time ever change no matter how much energy is used in traveling. The most important aspect of this research as I’m working on is understanding hot and cold. Gravity and acceleration of planet and stars to then making a mechanism that can trick the universe into believing the mechanism behavior is indeed faster heavier or lighter then what would be expected for such a device on Earth. Artificial takes new meaning with my studies and I wish you all the best likewise.

  9. Warren Blanchard | March 12, 2021 at 9:40 pm | Reply

    Warp drive or not we are not ready until we are one we will never understand we will never be welcomed to intelligent beyond earth I believe ther are watching.

  10. At the present time nothing is faster than light, but there is! It’s always been here watch! The Sun’s light takes about 8 minutes to arrive to earth. If I (THINK) about the sun to earth I have beat the light travel. Human thought is faster than light. Just for thought. Now let’s get down to business. WARP DRIVE can be achieved. Anti-gravity is negative energy. Loaded in darkness of space. What u need in space is large amounts of gravity to pull or accelerate. Warp Drive is a push pull in a sense. A laser SCOPE can achieve this. Space/time bends light as u know, riding on a laser beam moving to a point of reference (sun) gives u the positive gravity neccessary inside the bubble to move. In theory the light is behind you. Still within einstein’s theory.more to say later see ya

  11. Frosted Flake | March 13, 2021 at 9:55 pm | Reply

    The illustration atop this page is an excellent example of WHY artists impressions are NOT useful is the discussion of science.

    Put most simply : there is no data, yet there IS an illustration… of SOMETHING, that means nothing. What is there to learn from this?

  12. We Warp Drive manufacturing, our fission-annihilation antigravity propulsion accelerate to lightspeed, but by nuclear annihilation reaction generate high-density time-space, so from outside observation, we traveling on higher speed. The best is to travel outside of the galactic disk for maximum speed. To understand advanced physic is necessary to first understand the Theory of Relativity. Sped of light is constant only in the frame, outside dependant on the speed of time.

  13. Eugene Bisson | March 15, 2021 at 5:32 am | Reply

    Chris m exactly..rest energy would be the best for getting us out of this area..it’s the ink pen vs pencil problem.spend tons of cash on writing with a pen or use a pencil for $.05.we already have the oxygen thing worked out..I say we just jump on in and figure it out as we go haha

  14. Why not look into the idea like the Enterprise u already have this ISS up there why not try to buid a space hanger to build the ship like the Enterprise in it we have the technology to do it and while ship was getting built u cold work on the warp drive engines to power it this is the 21st century we should be thinking on lines like that im not saying theres vulcans or klingonns out there but with a ship like that we might get to see if we are alone in this galaxy or not

  15. Jason L Westbrook | March 18, 2021 at 6:28 am | Reply

    This would also allow for sub-light speed as well with I am assuming lesser energy requirements. Works be with losing for just to get around the solar system faster

  16. Christopher Ayarza | March 18, 2021 at 12:18 pm | Reply

    How do we stop this spaceship?

    • answer to your question (reply) | March 28, 2021 at 1:33 pm | Reply

      by “breaking” the warp bubble in advance by a few nano seconds. lowering the space ship to sub light speeds temporarily.

  17. Just traveling at light speed would be an accomplishment, yet no one talks about sailing on waves of gravity which would take much less energy. Even though warp speed is faster, we should probably walk before we run.

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