Jerrek
01-10-2003, 20:19
HYPOTHETICAL
An inventor invents a stardrive. For sake of argument, let us say a warp drive. It works exactly like in Star Trek in that you need two parallel pieces of whatever to generate a warp field. In addition, those nacelles can also be configured to operate as an impulse drive (for atmospheric flights). Lets also go with the assumption that the power requirements can be easily satisfied (you come up with something, it isn't important).
The technology gets patented, but instead of asking for royalties the inventor publishes all relevant information in a scientific journal. Anyone is allowed to use the technology, whether it be for profit or for private use.
Estimated cost to build a small space craft that can hold 5 people+ cargo: $1,000,000. This craft can do 1 light year per hour. Estimated cost to operate space craft per hour: $5,000 for everything.
Estimated cost to build a medium space craft that can hold 50 people + cargo: $10,000,000. This craft can do 1 light year per hour. Estimated cost to operate space craft per hour: $20,000 for everything.
Lets also say that there are tens of thousands of solar systems that have a class M planet, which can sustain human life. They are all uncharted, but not too hard to find.
What do you think will happen to the politics of this world? What do you think will be the impact of this?
How do you think SHOULD the politics be handled? How should this be dealt with?
Some points to consider:
- The prices are so that people with money can start building space crafts, and that sort of rich people can easily save up to relocate. To move some of the nutbar organizations that will no doubt start (say 1,000 people) will, for example, require 25 trips in the medium space craft (to take lots of supplies), and say the journey is 10 hours. That is 20 hours to return to earth and pick up another load, and altogether 500 hours. That comes to $10,000 per person.
- Lots of people, LOTS, will want to go explore new worlds. Assuming a fair number have the money, how do you plan on regulating all these travelers?
- What about countries that claim certain planets, or entire systems for mining rights?
- What about companies that claim planets? Or systems?
- What about people that claim planets?
- What about the huge number of earth to space traveling?
- What about the politicians? More specifically, the United Nations...
An inventor invents a stardrive. For sake of argument, let us say a warp drive. It works exactly like in Star Trek in that you need two parallel pieces of whatever to generate a warp field. In addition, those nacelles can also be configured to operate as an impulse drive (for atmospheric flights). Lets also go with the assumption that the power requirements can be easily satisfied (you come up with something, it isn't important).
The technology gets patented, but instead of asking for royalties the inventor publishes all relevant information in a scientific journal. Anyone is allowed to use the technology, whether it be for profit or for private use.
Estimated cost to build a small space craft that can hold 5 people+ cargo: $1,000,000. This craft can do 1 light year per hour. Estimated cost to operate space craft per hour: $5,000 for everything.
Estimated cost to build a medium space craft that can hold 50 people + cargo: $10,000,000. This craft can do 1 light year per hour. Estimated cost to operate space craft per hour: $20,000 for everything.
Lets also say that there are tens of thousands of solar systems that have a class M planet, which can sustain human life. They are all uncharted, but not too hard to find.
What do you think will happen to the politics of this world? What do you think will be the impact of this?
How do you think SHOULD the politics be handled? How should this be dealt with?
Some points to consider:
- The prices are so that people with money can start building space crafts, and that sort of rich people can easily save up to relocate. To move some of the nutbar organizations that will no doubt start (say 1,000 people) will, for example, require 25 trips in the medium space craft (to take lots of supplies), and say the journey is 10 hours. That is 20 hours to return to earth and pick up another load, and altogether 500 hours. That comes to $10,000 per person.
- Lots of people, LOTS, will want to go explore new worlds. Assuming a fair number have the money, how do you plan on regulating all these travelers?
- What about countries that claim certain planets, or entire systems for mining rights?
- What about companies that claim planets? Or systems?
- What about people that claim planets?
- What about the huge number of earth to space traveling?
- What about the politicians? More specifically, the United Nations...