"...Dagmar ran from Gargantua toward a point high enough in the gravitational well to allow a hyperjump across light-years..." (VIII, p. 42)
"The ship accelerated outward, seeking free space for her leap across light-years." (XIV, p. 82)
As mentioned here, there is a tacit assumption in sf that hyperdrives cannot function safely inside planetary systems - although Dominic Flandry's Hooligan is fine-tuned enough to go hyper within the Solar System, thus transiting in mere minutes from Jovian orbit to Earth.
The tacit assumption that "flat" space is safer for hyperjumps sounds right intuitively but who knows?
6 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
The FTL "Alderson drive" used in Jerry Pournelle's Co-Dominium timeline also comes to mind as a speculative means of reaching the stars getting some serious thought. I recall that ships within solar systems had to spend days or weeks before reaching a "tram line point" enabling them to get to other stars. But I know this is vague, needing something from either THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE or THE GRIPPING HAND to clarify.
Sean
Sean,
And the tram line points could be within a system or even within a star so this is different again from the idea that ships CAN go hyper in a gravity well although it is advisable not to.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I recall that as well. It does make me wonder if ether the Technic hyperdrive of the Co-Dominium's Alderson drive might actually be scientifically vindicated some day.
Sean
Sean,
The Technic hyperdrive is based on quantum jumps which are known whereas the Alderson drive is based on tram lines which are invented, I think.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I'm not sure. I have a vague recollection of reading somewhere of actual scientists speculating about what Pournelle called the Alderson drive. Perhaps in his essay "Building THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE."
Sean
OK.
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