Nuclear Engineer reacts to Kurzgesagt 'How to Move the Sun: Stellar Engines'

[desperatepsycho]

imagine going to another star system and finding a stellar engine stuck running because the civilization that built it died. that would make one hell of a good scifi story

[arnabbiswasalsodeep]

They do mention the engine's acceleration produced compared to that which planets experience and give a rough numbers for the energy calculations. I think the hardest part was finding proper materials to take long term sustained damage or be resistant to the thermonuclear heat along with sun's heat.

[WackoMcGoose]

4:28 "and creating all sorts of unpleasant problems" may as well be the Kurzgesagt catchphrase at this point

[tubalord]

It’s hard for us to comprehend because we have such a short lifespans. Any civilization with that much technology wouldn’t really have to worry about age or disease most likely they probably could live for thousands of years and in all reality they’re probably not gonna ever have to worry about Rall resources because there’s just so much of it out there. There’s a singular asteroid relatively close to us with 96 quintillion dollars worth of gold alone for example

[drkv]

They looked into everything you can think of and more in the peer review. The only thing the thruster has to overcome is the suns gravity. The force of the mass being vaporized and shot off the sun is what will accelerate it. Force over time is what matters.

[MyTorturedEyes]

I ran across your reactions yesterday and have watched several video's, Thank You, I enjoy what you have to say..Thanks for sharing your knowledge ..Thanks for teaching!..

[ploopy]

People think this is such a crazy idea but if you look at how far we have gotten with technology its hypothetically possible. I don’t think its about questioning if it is technologically possible (because this is hypothetically possible), but questioning if humans are able to come together and put their differences aside and accomplish the task.

[The_TinesJathian]

5:50 the death star is, at its core, a moon-sized lightsaber. It's powered by kyber crystals and sits well in the realm of science fantasy. If you want to do the math on that go ahead, but I'm tired of people looking at science fantasy, mistaking it for science fiction, and saying star wars is unrealistic because it *literally has magic in it*

[Dysan]

10:20 Talking about a civilization that may change form during the operation of this rocket. I suddenly had this vison of a fantasy novel, with some sci-fi elements. So a medieval/feudal type setting, where a long time ago civilization fell and much knowledge was lost. But the major religions now revolve around "The Pillar of Heaven" in the sky. That holds up the Sun and protects them from danger.

[angelic_aether]

5:33 the death star has giant kyber crystal reserves and a hyperdrive too

[KimFareseed]

One thing I can see happening is that terrestrial navigation with stars becomes a bit more inconsistent.

[ThatsKnowingSomething]

Since you're applying force in one direction, wouldn't there be a need to deaccelerate the sun at one point aswell?

[torylva]

"Were are toddlers getting drunk!?"
In the skating rink. Didn't you listen!?

[anzaca]

Stellar engines are what happens when a rocket scientist sees that Spongebob meme of moving Bikini Bottom somewhere else.

[PhoenixPwnsAll]

As the "engine" is balancing between the sun and the oxygen jet, won't it be subject to extreme pressure? Like squeezing a can between your two hands, a system is only as strong as it's weakest link. Are there any materials that can stand the force required to move the sun in such an elaborate configuration?

[LiamDerWandrer]

My greatest concern regarding the Caplan thruster is where the exhaust beam is being aimed. Nothing quite says "deadly plasma beam" more than that thing. I honestly think being superfried by the giant mirror is more survivable than being on the recieving end of that exhaust plume/beam. O_O

[denantonow]

I recommend the vidio giant black hole stars, the newest in kurgezats!

[ScottJPowers]

At least some countries in Europe, such as France, do not have a minimum age for drinking, so one might find drunk toddlers there, I suppose.

[TAKIZAWAYAMASHITA]

now the whole timeline thing of 50yrs with nasa and with this stellar engine is going with the idea that FTL is impossible, if true then this is literally the best you can get. BUT if FTL is possible then this method would be extremely slow and inefficient. BUT what we currently know about the universe points to a no FTL life. These systems that are designed here are to be feasible within known sciene and materials showing that today we could in theory build this thing right now. Whereas if we try to account for unkowables = FTL we can set ourselves up for failure

[arnavrai]

One thing I would suggest is if your talking about something, try to make eye contact to the camera so that people feel more engaged in your vid.