Moving at the speed of light is not uncommon when it comes to the prevalence of seeing the captivating exploration of space in sci-fi movies, TV shows, or novels. While our universe is constantly being explored or awed about, traveling at the speed of light is an immensely popular trope in science fiction, prompting a conversation of innovative exploration of our universe. As we watch or read science fiction and see space travel depicted in movies, books, or TV, one question lingers: Is it possible to travel at the speed of light?
Let’s explore the science behind this question and look at the limitations of our exploration, starting with what we know about physics through the studies of Albert Einstein, a renowned physicist. Einstein came up with theories that considered relativity, which has changed scientific practices, looking at how physical aspects of the universe change when observed in different states. Through Einstein’s study of the physics of mass, space, and time, he developed his theory of relativity, which says that space and time are relative concepts, demonstrating that all motion must be relative.
So how is this major concept in physics relative to the speed of light travel? Well, the speed of light is a constant speed at which protons, particles of light, move through a vacuum, and this theory reveals that objects, that have a constant speed and direction, are the same for all observers and are relative to the speed of light. The speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second, meaning that in one second, traveling to space and back over around 1500 times is possible. As a constant seen by observers at rest, the speed of light is the same for all interactions between mass and energy, which have constant speeds as well. By means of this, it has been proven that the universe has a speed limit that cannot physically be broken by anything with a mass. Particles without mass, like photons, make up light, allowing them to travel to maximum speed, the speed of light, proving that this travel is not currently attainable in our world, as everything is relative.
Despite current limitations of exploring faster-than-light travel, warp bubbles are shaping how physicists look at the question. A warp bubble is a fascinating concept that warps what we know of space and time by pushing ahead of space to put it behind, possibly allowing spaceships to move at speeds extremely fast. This idea is an alternate resolution of relativity but is something seen in science fiction through the concepts of warp drives. While many physical problems come with creating warp drives, the concept is being explored to better understand the correlation of space and time in relation to Einstein’s concepts of relativity.
Back to Einstein’s theories, it is difficult to question the ability to ever move past the speed of light as the universe has a speed limit that cannot physically be broken by anything that has a mass. At the same time, current studies by physics and NASA scientists are exploring speeding up particles to fast speeds, almost reaching how fast protons can move. Furthermore, the growth of technology is constant, as seen in defying the physical boundary of the speed of sound. Achieving what is referred to as Mach 1, seen in technological applications like supersonic aircraft, is the point where the speed of sound is reached in an atmosphere. Achieving this shifted what scientists believed what possible in terms of the boundaries of travel.
Overall, the limits that come with mass in terms of what we know about relativity and the physical properties of the universe define what is possible in today’s day and age. The boundary of Einstein’s theory of relativity makes it unlikely that spacecraft will move at such a fast speed, one that we deem as the universe’s limit. So as we continue to ask if or when we will break this limit, we can dream in the worlds of science fiction, pushing the limits of our universe through our favorite characters’ exploration.
In Orbit 