If you put an aircraft in a vacuum it would not be able to accelerate at all!firin81 said:
Come on, this is not the point PeroK.PeroK said:
No, according to Einstein's theory of relativity, it is impossible for any object with mass to reach the speed of light. As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases infinitely and it would require an infinite amount of energy to accelerate it further. Therefore, a space aircraft cannot reach the speed of light in a vacuum.
The fastest speed that a space aircraft can reach in a vacuum is approximately 17,500 miles per hour. This is the speed achieved by the Apollo 10 spacecraft during its return to Earth from the Moon.
A space aircraft can approach the speed of light, but it can never reach it. As an object's speed increases, its mass also increases, making it more difficult to accelerate it further. Therefore, the closer a space aircraft gets to the speed of light, the more energy is required to push it even closer.
While there are some theories that suggest the possibility of faster-than-light travel, such as wormholes or warp drives, they are still purely speculative and have not been proven to be possible. Currently, it is believed that the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit in the universe.
Understanding the limitations of speed in space travel is crucial for the safety and success of space missions. As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases, which can have a significant impact on the spacecraft's structure and ability to navigate. Additionally, the effects of time dilation and relativistic effects must also be considered when planning for space travel at high speeds.