Relativity precludes FTL - except that the quantum jump hyperspace of Poul Anderson's Technic History and the T machine jumps of his
The Avatar are supposed to be compatible with relativistic physics. Usually, I think, "hyperspace" means a non-relativistic space somehow coterminous with the relativistic universe whereas other fictional FTL drives (see
here) simply contradict relativity, e.g., James Blish's "spindizzy."
Are T machine jumps FTL? The spaceships are STL and the jumps that they make resemble cosmic versions of the space-time jumps made by the timecycles in Anderson's Time Patrol series.
How much STL intergalactic travel is there in sf? Not a lot.
Into Deepest Space by Fred and Geoffrey Hoyle
Tau Zero by Poul Anderson
Genesis by Poul Anderson
Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteThere's also the FTL Alderson drive used in Jerry Pournelle's Co-Dominium timeline, which I believe he took some care to give a semi-demi-plausible scientific rationale. As Anderson had done with the the hyperdrive of his Technic series.
Sean
"The Ethics of Madness", a short story by Larry Niven, includes a pair of Bussard Ramjet ships travelling into intergalactic space.
ReplyDeleteKaor,Jim!
ReplyDeleteDon't think I ever read that Niven story.
Ad astra! Sean