Are the Spaceships in The Expanse Realistic?

The question of whether the spaceships in The Expanse series are realistic has been a subject of much debate among fans and experts alike. The series, set in a future where humanity has spread throughout the solar system, presents a fascinating mix of known technologies and speculative innovations that challenge the limits of current scientific understanding. Let's explore the extent to which the ships depicted in The Expanse align with our current knowledge of space travel and the potential advancements required to make them a reality.

Realism in Space Travel Technology

The spaceships in The Expanse are based on sound principles of rocket science, which is a branch of aerospace engineering. These ships align closely with the fundamental physics of space travel—principally the laws of motion and the conservation of momentum. While the technology may seem advanced to us, it is approached with a degree of realism that sets it apart from many other science fiction series, which often indulge in more outlandish or fantastical concepts.

Efficiency and Power

The ships in the series are described as VERY efficient rocket ships. Future propulsion systems in space travel would need to be highly efficient to overcome the immense challenges of escaping Earth's gravity and traveling at meaningful speeds throughout the solar system. The first combustion engines we made were only about 0.5 efficient, while modern engines, such as those in F1 cars, exceed 50 efficiency, and gas power stations can achieve up to 65 efficiency. The ships in The Expanse would need to be at least as efficient or even more, which is a significant step beyond our current engineering capabilities.

Size and Power Output

The ships in The Expanse are described as VERY powerful, with engines that could fit in the palm of your hand. Today, a 2-horsepower (2 hp) engine would indeed be the size of a building, but modern technological advancements have miniaturized engines dramatically. In the show, ships like the P cathcart and Annubis carry powerful engines capable of efficiently propelling them through space, a feat that would require substantial advances in materials science and power generation.

Realism vs. Exaggeration

One of the standout aspects of the ships in The Expanse is their ability to perform complex maneuvers and engage in high-octane combat, such as the boarding actions from Scopuli to Annubis and the raid on Thoth Station. However, for these actions to be truly realistic, the ships would need to be capable of extreme acceleration and precise targeting. Achieving this level of maneuverability and speed would likely require much more than we can currently achieve, even with cutting-edge technologies.

The Epstein Drive: A Controversial Propulsion System

The Epstein drive, a fictional propulsion system featured in The Expanse, is perhaps the most controversial element of the show's depicted technology. This drive is described as being capable of rapid acceleration and long-distance travel, but its operation involves significant challenges, particularly in terms of heat generation. The Epstein drive is supposed to enable spaceships to travel at speeds approaching that of light, which would require overcoming the immense energy and heat issues associated with such high velocities.

The Epstein drive's inefficiencies, particularly related to heat creation, pose significant challenges. However, proponents of the show argue that a combination of a magnetic thrust ‘chamber’ and other theoretical propulsion ideas makes the Epstein drive at least conceivable. These technologies remain highly speculative and far beyond our current engineering capabilities, but they serve to push the narrative forward without delving into excessive technobabble that could detract from the storytelling.

Another key aspect of the Epstein drive is that the show does not bog itself down in technical details, allowing room for fans and experts to speculate and solve the problems creatively. The series provides a few limited references to fuel consumption and acceleration, which helps to ground the technology within the realms of real-world physics principles.

The Ship's Design in Context

While the ships in The Expanse are highly efficient and powerful according to the series' storyline, they are fundamentally still rocket ships, which means they operate within the constraints of our current understanding of physics. The design of these ships is so advanced that they could almost be mistaken for the work of an alien race, much like James Watt and his revolutionary engines were once considered marvels of technology. In essence, the ships in The Expanse represent a future where we have achieved a level of technological sophistication that is both believable and exciting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the spaceships in The Expanse are undoubtedly realistic in terms of their adherence to the fundamental principles of physics. While they may stretch the limits of current technology, they are grounded in scientific concepts that we understand today. The series represents a vision of the future where human ingenuity has pushed the boundaries of what is possible, a vision that is both inspiring and thought-provoking. As we continue to advance in our understanding and application of science and engineering, the ships in The Expanse may well continue to serve as an aspirational example of what is yet to come in space travel technology.