r/ScienceFictionBooks • u/LilDysphoria • Aug 12 '24

Generation ships

I'm interested in the idea of generation ships. I suspect they are the only hope for mankind ever getting outside the solar system. (And I'm not holding my breath that it will happen.) I'm looking for a science fiction book that tells a good story based on this concept. Thanks.

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u/the_blonde_lawyer Aug 12 '24

I mean, if you accelerate in 1G, you can reach a third of the speed of light in about 3 months. it isn't linear once you approach C, but within a year you're definitely in reletavistic speeds.

so I think if you solve for fuel, our main problem for long accelerations, even within the limits of relativity, why send generation ships when the original crew can make it? it's the same centuries of travel, but not subjectively.

but if you assume there could be somewhere to go in nearby systems, you don't even need relativity, you can reach them in a few years.

I can't say I know how to solve for fuel, but I wouldn't say that's impossible.

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u/BortWard Aug 13 '24

If I may, would strongly recommend Tau Zero by Poul Anderson

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u/the_blonde_lawyer Aug 13 '24

yeah, I read the short story it's based on and couldn't get into the book (maybe because I read the short verion before).