Oscar Wilde famously wrote, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” Most of us are familiar with that quote. It has almost become a cliché, but clichés are usually correct. Wilde’s quote, in particular, is correct.
We have all been there, contemplating our lives while under a canopy of stars. Whether out in our backyards or out on the town, the moment we immerse ourselves in that night air, our natural inclination is to look up at the stars. They are simply relaxing to look at, first off. Secondly, they force us to think about the mysteries of life and of the universe. This has been the case since man first appeared on earth. Space travel is, to say the least, in our blood.
The technology to get humans to other worlds isn’t quite there yet, but it’s coming and it might not involve rocket fuel, but a photonic laser thrust system. Yes, lasers. What can’t they do? According to Young K. Bae, CEO of the Y.K. Bae Corporation, if we utilize a laser propulsion system, we may be able to reach the moon within hours and to Mars within days. His approach isn’t your typical laser propulsion system, as it incorporates firing the laser into a gap between two mirrors.
In the article, “Cosmic Concept: Laser-Powered Space Travel,” John Wenz of Popularmechanics.com writes, “His big-picture plan starts with using laser propulsion in the coming decades on near-Earth space missions, journeys to the moon, and visits to near-Earth asteroids. Within 50 years, he hopes for phase two: Mars.” Wow, that’s ambitious! Bae has his supporters, receiving funding from NASA and other groups, but as it currently stands, we just don’t have the kind of power necessary for such travel. There is also the problem of deeper space travel, to faraway bodies; such trips require a gargantuan amount of power.
Bae, however, remains optimistic. In his eyes, laser propulsion technology will naturally evolve. That’s how science works. In his words, “Eventually, once we utilize resources in the solar system, then we’ll have the power to go to the other stars or planets in other solar systems.” Utilizing resources in the solar system means we might have to create laser stations in space as means to further travel – a cosmic transcontinental railroad!
Time will only tell if we will be using lasers to colonize space. While Seiffert Industrial isn’t involved in the space race, we are actively invested in the development of laser technology, as evidenced by our laser alignment solutions. The development of laser technology as a whole is good for everyone.
*Video courtesy of jasgjy244
