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Introduction
The Physics and Technology of Warp Propulsion

"Nothing can move faster than light". This is a commonly known outcome of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. Nevertheless, scientists as well as science fiction authors have been pondering about faster-than-light (FTL) travel and its consequences ever since the theory became popular. It is obvious that FTL propulsion is essential to allow interstellar travel. The nearest star system to Earth, for instance, is Proxima Centauri, roughly four light years away. Even if it were possible to achieve a slower-than-light (STL) speed very close to c (speed of light), a one-way trip would take four years. More realistic (and much slower) STL travel times are given in the example of relativistic travel. Unless the authors impose on themselves a restriction to cryogenic space travel or generational ships, they need an explanation or justification why their protagonists can reach distant regions of space in a matter of days or hours.

Star Trek is among the science fiction with the most elaborated science and technology. Yet, the well-known warp drive is rather a visualization of FTL travel for TV than a real physical or even technological concept. This article series is an attempt to summarize the most important facts about FTL travel in general and warp drive as presented in Star Trek. The Warp Propulsion series is less homogeneous than other parts of this website, as it has to take into account real-world physics as well as canon Star Trek facts, and carefully combine them with conjecture to show the whole picture.

Chapter 1 is a strictly scientific account on real-world physics. It summarizes the underlying principles of movements at very fast speeds, in particular special relativity, which imposes limits on real-world propulsion systems. Hypothetical concepts to overcome these limitations are outlined in Chapter 2. Note that none of them could be developed to a viable theory so far, much less to a technical solution. Chapter 3 is a treatise on subspace, the domain in which warp travel takes place in Star Trek. As opposed to chapter 1, there is not really a scientific basis for subspace; therefore the main scope of chapter 3 is the collection of canon evidence and its interpretation. The same applies to chapter 4 and 5 which deal with the history and the technical implementation of warp propulsion as depicted in Star Trek. Chapter 6 analyzes the measurement of warp speeds and attempts to explain the different scales. Chapter 7, finally, provides an extensive collection of constants, a glossary of terms and a reference list.

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	Last modified: 24.06.10
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