Since the time the original Star Trek was first broadcast, various science fiction props on the show have become common reality -- flip top communicators, motion-sensing sliding doors, voice-responsive computers, and so forth. Although not yet operational, the U.S. military is also working on an energy beam weapon mounted on an aircraft for ballistic missile defense.
There are two recent stories describing further progress toward making the world more like Star Trek.
The first story is about NASA's plans for an anti-matter spacecraft.
Most self-respecting starships in science fiction stories use antimatter as fuel for a good reason – it’s the most potent fuel known. While tons of chemical fuel are needed to propel a human mission to Mars, just tens of milligrams of antimatter will do...
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The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) is funding a team of researchers working on a new design for an antimatter-powered spaceship...
The second story is about hangover-free Synthehol.
Synthehol is a science-fictional substitute for alcohol that appears on the Star Trek:The Next Generation television series. It allows drinkers to experience all of the enjoyable, intoxicating effects of alcohol without unpleasant side-effects like hangovers.
Now, all we need for our starship to be fully outfitted is Yeoman Janice Rand.
Posted by fee simple.
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