As a Young Adult Sci-Fi writer, one of the most compelling yet challenging tasks is to harmonize science and imagination, especially in space travel. My book dives deep into a universe set in the year 2375, where my protagonist, Neo Lyra Murphy, maneuvers between Mars and Titan with ease. But how do these futuristic elements compare to current space technology? In today’s post, part of the Science & Technology and Reality Check categories on this blog, we’re taking a journey to the intriguing intersection of science vs. fiction in space travel.
Rockets: Chemical Propulsion vs. Ion Drives
Today’s reality in space exploration primarily relies on chemical rockets, such as SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. These rockets burn fuel to produce thrust, using a technology that’s effective but notoriously inefficient in terms of fuel-to-thrust ratio.
In my Ryser Academy Series, part of the Young Adult and Sci-Fi Writing categories, we step into a different realm. Here, the norm for short-range missions is ion drives, highly efficient engines that ionize a propellant like xenon to generate thrust. While chemical propulsion has its advantages, the ion drives in my narrative offer a tantalizing glimpse into the future of space exploration.
Artificial Gravity: A Dream vs. A Necessity
Artificial gravity is a staple of science fiction, and in the Book Insights category, it’s an aspect I love exploring. While this concept adds a layer of convenience to Neo’s life, it remains a far-off dream in real-world space tech. Astronauts on the International Space Station experience microgravity, which has led to various health issues ranging from muscle atrophy to bone density loss.
In my story’s interstellar setting, artificial gravity is achieved through rotating sections of spaceships, using centripetal force to mimic Earth-like conditions. This could be essential to future space travel, bridging the gap between science and fiction.
Communication: Speed-of-Light Lag vs. Quantum Entanglement
In Neo’s high-stakes adventures, quick and effective communication is often crucial. That’s where quantum entanglement comes in, providing instantaneous data transfer over any distance. In the real world, we’re bound by the limitations of speed-of-light lag. Even with our advanced space technology, sending a message to Mars can take between 4 to 24 minutes. This presents intriguing questions for the future science of space communication.
Life Support: Recycling vs. Self-Sustaining Ecosystems
Current life support systems focus on recycling, from air scrubbers that remove CO2 to urine purification. But in Neo’s universe, starships come with self-sustaining ecosystems, complete with flora and fauna—a vivid example of science fiction meeting future science.
Writing in the Young Adult and Sci-Fi Writing genres allows me the freedom to explore the boundaries of human innovation while staying rooted in the marvels and limitations of present-day Science & Technology. Through my characters and their interstellar journeys, I bring the distant stars a little closer to our current reality, bridging the exciting divide between the science of space travel and speculative fiction.
If this exploration of space tech and science vs. fiction intrigues you, be sure to check out my book. Stay tuned to this blog for more in-depth analyses and insights into the fascinating world where reality meets the imagined.
Till next time, keep looking to the stars.
A.P. Taber
