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The Time Barrier
Einstein's theory of relativity states that as an object speeds up, time (for
the object) slows down. In the early 1970s this theory was tested by the U.S.
government using atomic clocks, and proved to be true. Which means the
possibility of traveling into the future is scientific fact.
Einstein went on to say that if an object continued to accelerate it might
eventually reach a point where time no longer exists and may actually be
reversed. If true, then we would also be able to travel backwards through
time as well.
A few decades ago, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) designed several spacecrafts which were to be powered by nuclear
explosions. These crafts would have traveled tens of thousands of miles per
hour. At such dramatic speeds, astronauts aboard these crafts would age
significantly slower than people on Earth.
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NASA was all set to begin construction on these vehicles when, in the
1960s, two nuclear treaties were signed banning nuclear explosions in space.
Naturally, and unfortunately, the projects had to be scrapped.
However, it is inevitable that somewhere down the line these projects will
be revived. When they are, and we finally do break the time barrier, a whole
new universe is going to open up to us. For a moment, let's consider the
possibilities.
Hypothetically speaking, say an astronaut went on a 20 year journey in
one of these spacecrafts. When he returned he would be 20 years older, but
50 years would have passed on Earth. Perhaps in this future where the
astronaut arrives they will have by then developed the ability to travel backwards in time.
CONTINUED
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