Living Among the Stars: A Human's place in the Universe (The Stories behind the Future Book 2)

by R E Kearney

  The closest star system to ours is the Alpha Centauri which consists of three stars; Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B and Proxima Centauri, which is a red dwarf meaning that it is smaller and cooler than our sun. The planet has been discovered orbiting this star and, because of its distance, is believed to be warm enough for water to remain in liquid form on some parts of its surface. This is one of the main criteria that determines whether a planet will be able to sustain life.

  Proxima Centauri is a more active star than our sun, which would result in the planet being exposed to 100 times more radiation. Without any protective magnetic field, this level would be detrimental to any living organism. If the planet does have an atmosphere, however, life would still be able to survive especially in its water bodies.

  Proxima B is 30% larger than earth and 95% closer to its sun, being only 4 million miles away as opposed to our planet’s 93 million. It orbits the star every 11.2 days, and is located approximately 4.2 light years away from us. This distance means that, even with current technology, it will be possible to send a probe there in as short as a few years. The biggest mystery about Proxima B, even though it is centred in a habitable zone, is whether or not there is actually life on the planet.

  If the planet was formed by being blown away by stellar radiation, it means that without an atmosphere it would be unable to sustain life. Another obstacle to the presence of any living species is the fact that Proxima B may be tidally locked, meaning that the same side of the planet always faces the sun. An atmosphere as thick as earth’s would allow it to rotate in a way that would provide the entire surface with the necessary warmth, in order to create habitats in which plants and animals would be able to survive. Since there is so much potential for life on this new planet, some scientists have ventured as far as to say that we can assume that life exists there until it is proven that there isn’t.

  The EM Drive – Revolutionizing Space Exploration

  One of the biggest obstacles we have faced when it comes to going to other planets is the amount of time that it will take for us to get there. NASA, and other independent space exploration teams, has been working on a solution to this for decades. In 1999, a British scientist, Roger Shawyer, came up with the idea of producing an EM drive (short for electromagnetic propulsion drive) which would be able to cover these amazing distances in significantly less time. The only opposition he has had to making the EM drive is the fact that it completely defies one of the fundamental laws of physics.

  Newton’s third law is: ‘To each action there is an equal and opposite reaction.’ The law of conservation of momentum breaks this down further; to state that for any thruster to gain momentum it will need to expel a propellant in the opposite direction. The design of the EM drive would allow it to go in one direction without any propellant in the other. It would operate by turning radio waves into thrust by bouncing them back and forth inside of a cone-shaped closed metal cavity. The other end of the EM drive will then thrust forward. A range of tests at NASA’s Eagleworks Laboratory have proven that this ‘impossible’ device works, even though scientists are still unable to come up with an explanation as to how it can defy one of Newton’s laws.

  The possibilities of space exploration would become unlimited with the use of the EM drive, which would be able to transport humans to Mars in 70 days (presently it takes between 150 and 300). It is rumoured that the years of research into the possibility of sending one into space has now been peer approved, and papers regarding the device are expected to be published shortly. In addition, Guida Fetta has designed a rocket engine based on the original concept of Shawyer’s EM drive and plans to launch it on a miniature satellite within a few months. His team of scientists will let it remain in orbit for at least six months to prove that the drive will continue to work over an extended period of time.

  There are also speculations that other devices using the same technology are being made by the original designer Shawyer, and several private companies in China, that are almost ready to be launched as well. The race seems to now be on to see which team will be able blast the barriers of space exploration, in the shortest amount of time. Regardless of the country or inventor that makes the first launch, the important thing to note is that this invention will be one of the greatest of all time and another giant leap into our exploration of the universe.

  Innovations in Renewable Energy

  Powering Cars of the Future

  The global temperature has been rising at a disturbing rate in recent decades. This incline has partially been attributed to the burning of fossil fuels in different forms. In December 2015, 195 countries collaborated to take action against climate change, by signing a legally, binding agreement called The Paris Agreement. This agreement will take effect in 2020 and aims to avoid many detrimental effects of a higher global temperature. The main requirement is to limit the rise in global temperature to 2°C. Many of the countries involved are already putting necessary procedures into effect in order to do so.

  Germany has the fourth largest output of automobiles in the world, and its government has made a proposal to ban internal combustion engines by 2030. This would mean that no new cars will require any type of fuel or diesel to operate. The majority of the vehicles in operation would then run exclusively on renewable energy. They have also suggested that the tax subsidies that are given to diesel automobile makers be lowered, in an effort to bring this change into effect sooner rather than later.

  The increase in making renewable energy vehicles would mean a decline in the labor force, within automobile companies, as they require less manpower to produce. The country is prepared to deal with this unemployment in different ways, as they have decided that the pros greatly outnumber the cons. In addition to directly impacting global warming and keeping the climate under control, using renewable energy in cars would mean healthier citizens, as well as overall economic benefits, due to the fact that they cost less to make and operate.

  The energy sources that environmentally friendly vehicles are able to run on currently include plug-in hybrids, fuel cell powered hydrogen cars and chargeable electric cars. There are also companies creating vehicular prototypes which operate on solar and wind energy. As the largest source of renewable energy, many are hoping to use the sun to power vehicles in two separate ways. The first would be to install solar panels on the roofs of cars, and the second would be to have chargers for cars which are fed by solar powered generators. There are prototypes of both currently being monitored and revised.

  Large car manufacturers have seen the value in producing renewable energy vehicles and companies such as BMW, Ford and Toyota already sell hybrids which use various forms of cleaner energy. Volkswagen has set a goal to become the largest automaker in the world, and believes that renewable energy will be one of the best ways to do so. A huge percentage of their funds are put towards researching the best ways of powering these vehicles in the future.

  Solar Panels – Using Light to Create Water

  Our planet is approximately 70% water; even so, statistics show that in excess of 600 million people do not have access to a clean drinking source. Recently, there has been a worldwide effort to provide poverty stricken countries with this vital component of life. With natural water sources being constantly polluted and expensive to clean, organisations have been trying to find additional ways of coming up with pure water.

  Zero Mass Water, a company with the aim of making unpolluted water accessible to all, has invented solar technology which ‘produces, delivers, and mineralises clean, fresh drinking water to a tap.’ The unit which they have created, Source, can be installed in just 20 minutes either on the ground or on a roof. It is also able to produce this water without tapping into a natural supply. How is this possible and what are the effects that this unit might be having on these poorer countries?

  The unit is made from a special type of material, designed by the company, which is able to absorb water from the air. Its solar p
anels are then able to harvest the energy from the sun to heat the liquid enough to turn it into steam. This evaporation is the way in which the water is purified. It is then run through a mineral block, adding beneficial nutrients and improving the taste.

  Each device is able to produce 5 litres of water daily, with a storage capacity of up to 30 litres. The company has started to install the panels in rescue camps, and poorer communities, and countries such as Ecuador, Mexico and Jordan are now benefiting from clean water. This in turn has dramatically reduced illnesses and deaths, caused from unclean drinking water or dehydration.

  The panels have not been reserved for these countries only, however, and are being made available in other areas. In first world countries many people are drinking bottled water or using filters, which are both an ongoing source of expense. The minerals in bottled water are beneficial to the body, and Source is able to infuse these into what will be a cheaper water source in the long run.

  In addition, countries that experience drought during the hotter months of the year would now be able to access water during this time. People are forced to store water in tanks, which can be very unhygienic and a breeding ground for certain insects, such as mosquitos. This technology would not only be beneficial to individuals, but many industries (such as farming) would be able to increase production during normally slow periods. This would increase both individual profits and the overall economy.

  Zero Mass Water continues to improve on their technology, and is aiming to make larger units which can store more water. This will increase both their humanitarian movement and their appeal to larger industries, in the near future.

  Wind Turbines – The Future of Clean Energy Sources

  In 1888, Charles F. Bush invented the first electricity-generating wind turbine in Cleveland, Ohio. It had a diameter of 17 metres and was able to generate 12 kW of power. Wind turbines have evolved significantly since, and the Wind Engineering Section of Kushu University, in Japan, has found a way to potentially triple their energy output. One of the aims is to make wind energy cheaper than both coal and nuclear power in the country, and eventually the world.

  During the Yokohama Renewable Energy International Exhibition 2010, they unveiled the new design, which works by putting a wind lens around the turbine blades. This also makes it possible to increase their safety levels, as well as decrease the unbearable noise usually associated with wind turbines. The wind lens is a brim that surrounds the inside of the blades and diverts the air from the exhaust outflow, which is located behind them. The turbulence then creates a low pressure zone behind the turbine, which causes more wind to pass through it. The blade rotation increases and subsequently the energy output. The engineers believe that each lens would be able to provide enough energy for an average household.

  The proposed end structure would be similar in shape to a giant honeycomb, but the Wind Engineering Section of the University finds it challenging to apply these lenses to larger sized turbines. To test the theory they constructed two wind turbines on the campus, which are each 34m high and able to generate 100kW of power. They will use these models to figure out ways to apply the technology to larger turbines in the future. Each turbine also has a rotor which spans 12.8m and a diffuser with a diameter of 15.4 m.

  These wind turbines are being monitored as part of their larger project to build an offshore energy farm. The wind turbines will be mounted on a hexagonal shaped base, which is low in cost but sufficiently sturdy to withstand the marine conditions. Placing these in coastal areas will take advantage of the sea breezes, and reveal the probability of them being a main source of power for the country. The bases also make it possible to link other turbines together and create larger platforms.

  The technology has already been applied to smaller units, averaging between 3 and 5 kW of output, which are being used by businesses to increase their energy while lowering the costs. Kushu University believes that the design will extend worldwide after the field tests prove that it is a much more efficient energy source. This would be good for both the countries involved and the world in general as this clean energy source would significantly decrease atmospheric pollution.

  Devastation to Determination – Using Storms for Energy

  Increasing technology not only provides us with ways of doing things that we were previously unable to do, but also gives us the ability to turn natural, unavoidable disasters into a source of clean energy. Taking into considering the typhoons which plague his country Japanese engineer, Atsushi Shimizu, and his team have designed a wind turbine that is capable of harvesting energy from the power that they generate.

  These large storms are created in regions of low atmospheric pressure, with winds which can exceed 85 mph. Japan has been using European designed wind turbines which have been proven to be incapable of withstanding the force behind the typhoons, and many of them are destroyed by the winds. Shimizu’s eggbeater shaped turbine has been specifically designed to withstand these conditions with two vital changes to the traditional design.

  The first thing needed was to ensure that the machine would be able to handle Japan’s unpredictable wind patterns, which the team was able to do by installing an omnidirectional vertical axis. The Magnus effect, which is the sideways force that causes a spinning object to deviate from a straight path, was also added to the design. This combination significantly increases the level of control extended over the turbines blades, and the centre rod can be tightened to adjust their speed ensuring that they won’t be able to spin out of control during a storm.

  Shimizu has estimated that the kinetic energy produced by a single typhoon would be able to power his country for about 50 years, if they were able to harvest it. Turning a natural disaster into a source of energy is an amazing opportunity, and would be the solution to the energy problem that Japan now faces. The country’s plan had been for 60% of their energy supply to be from nuclear power by 2100. However, a tsunami which hit them in 2011 caused three nuclear meltdowns, and resulted in the reconsideration of this energy source.

  Japan is currently importing about 80% of its energy, and there is also a significant increase in its usage of solar power. Shimizu is convinced that the large amount of wind power available in the country would be significantly more beneficial once harvested. His team has installed their first prototype in Okinawa and are currently waiting for a typhoon to test its power. With at least six typhoons hitting the country in the past year it is safe to say that the wait won’t be long, and the engineer is likely to see his dream of changing the country’s future with a single turbine coming true sooner rather than later.

  Chapter 12.

  Venus

  “Rise and shine! Venus on the horizon.”

  Robert slowly opens his eyes to Nu’s calling voice. Although he fought hard to keep his eyes open and watching Evoil, he fell asleep. With a quick glance, he discovers that Evoil is sleeping soundly in his seat, as well. Some crumbs riding his chest tells Robert that hunger and thirst finally overwhelmed Evoil’s religious objections.

  “The best view is from our cockpit. So come on up here,” Ehren hollers.

  Robert finds Ehren and Nu sitting in the pilot and copilot seats. Peering over their shoulders, he spies an emerald green sparkle in the distance, perched at the edge of an incredibly beautiful blue ocean. During his active service with the Canadian military, he traveled through the three oceans and several seas. But at this moment, he realizes that he has never experienced an ocean so crystal-clear, so pristine - so pure blue - that it swallows you. His heart beats faster, spellbound by the stunning spectacle.

  For several minutes, Robert swims the enchanting water with his eyes. Until, as they fly closer, he notices five naval ships. Two of the ships fly US flags and three of the ships fly Russian flags. The ships do not appear to be moving.

  Ehren points toward the ships. “I don’t think they are making way. They appear dead-in-the-water. I wonder if Russian and US military ships hav
e been shut down like their military aircraft.”

  “I wouldn’t think so. When our Canadian ships operate with the US Navy, they practice operating completely independent of externalities. I suspect that they are shut down for silent surveillance.”

  Nu scrutinizes her instrument panel. “You’re right. I think they’re scanning us now, in fact.

  “Nobody, but us SPEA citizens up here boys. Just flying home.” Ehren leans toward the window and waves. “Glad Evoil’s bio-tracker is blocked. Wouldn’t want to upset the Russians.”

  “My guess is that they’re just watching and waiting…” Robert offers.

  “Waiting for what?” Nu asks, concerned.

  “…for somebody to make the wrong move. They don’t trust each other and neither of them trust you. They’re like two gunfighters with itchy trigger fingers. Right now, both of their nations are under attack and they don’t know from where or by whom. They’re nervous, very nervous, and that makes me nervous, and should make you nervous, too,” Robert presses his face closer to the window for a better look.

  “Look there.” Nu directs Robert’s attention to a cylindrical dark blue shadow sliding through the seawater. “I think that’s one of our sub-drones. SPEA keeps four of them patrolling the edge of our twelve mile limit continuously with two in reserve. Israelis built six of them for us. If you ask me, those ladies should make them even more nervous.”

  Robert scans the ocean. He spies two more dark blue cylindrical shadows gliding through the azure water. They can easily be mistaken for gigantic Great White sharks. Which may be SPEA’s and the Israelis’ intent. He wonders if the sub-drones are LAWS that can kill on their own or if somebody inside Venus keeps them on an electronic leash. He speculates that the Russian and American ships are sitting-on-station tracking SPEA’s sub-drones in a cat and mouse game.