ISSA's Warp-Drive Machine is Officially Completed
Grace Duong, published 17 June 2089 at 11:43am
On Thursday morning 16 June 2089, ISSA announced that the prototype of the IXS Enterprise was officially completed. For the past two decades, the Interplanetary Space Science Association had been "vigorously testing and improving all aspects of the starship," says Dr. Jude Patel.
An ISSA space shuttle being launched above Earth.
An ISSA space shuttle being launched from Earth.
ISSA stated that they have "never used a living human being to test the transport capabilities of the IXS Enterprise." Supposedly, only small mammals like mice have been tested, being placed inside cages to prevent them from running loose, and potential food to be eaten during missions. Weights were also placed throughout to simulate a real human and supplies load.
"A large amount of fuel is required to make sure the IXS Enterprise can fulfill its journey," says Jeremy Zhao, a lead engineer for the project. "It's heavy, and warp-technology on this scale is far beyond anything we have created in the past."
Until now, the fastest way to travel through space was Sagittarius 5, the rocket that was launched to orbit Neptune in 2083.
With the IXS Enterprise, travelling to the nearest star, Proxima Centauri, 4.3 light years away, would only take two weeks.
Concept of the IXS Enterprise.
Concept of the IXS Enterprise.
Zhao hopes that they will be able to test humans, as they have been using mannequins as substitutes. When asked about future missions, he said, "Now that testing has been completed, we hope to find the right candidates for our missions."
ISSA did not say where missions are planned, but speculation suggests that it would be used to upgrade the Neptune base and visit Pluto.
More than four decades ago in 2042, NASA unveiled the IXS Enterprise after releasing concepts in 2013. Dr. Harold White, who spearheaded the development until 2025, helped design the images with a 3D artist. NASA continued his work with other leaders. In 2068, their first prototype was completed. Then testing began. The project, in total, cost over $1 billion USD. But for the future of humanity and space travel, it is an investment well-spent.