THE EXPANSE --it's premise, plot and socio-political implications
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ecgordon
Star's Hero
There is no "artificial gravity" in the Expanse universe. If you're on a planet, moon or asteroid, you're dealing with the natural gravity of that body, except in a case like Ceres, which has been hollowed out and made to spin at a higher rate for an approximate 1/3G for the inhabitants inside. If you're on a ship, you're either in zero-g and use magnetic boots to get around or you float free. We could see the Canterbury spinning while in free-flight, the only times it doesn't spin is when it's under acceleration.
Good point.
Whatever my feelings are about the story (or lack thereof so far), this show so far cannot be faulted on its fidelity to actual physics. Indeed, we also have seen nothing in the show approaching "fantasy tech". Everything we have seen could actually be done right now with current tech.
Have they given us a time frame? What year is it?
I believe it is set around 2200. With that in mind one could say they are being slightly pessimistic on progress in space technology. That said, I do appreciate them keeping the tech restrained to stuff we either already literally have or is a projection from stuff we already have.
The tech seems more like 2100-2150.
This. I originally did not give this thing credit for having any science in it, but it does. I still would not classify it as high science fiction though.
shavedape
Well Known GateFan
When I hear of such an advanced date for a story setting I usually assume there was some sort of major war that halted all progress for awhile. That seems to be a common gimmick/trope/explanation.
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ecgordon
Star's Hero
Classic SF authors were overly optimistic concerning the rate of advancements in space travel and planetary exploration. Current writers set things further into the future because they know most readers would be skeptical of such progress in a shorter period of time. Yet you seem to be of the opposite opinion.
Well, if Trump becomes President, there's no telling what might happen. Or Hillary, or anyone else for that matter.
shavedape
Well Known GateFan
Advancements in technology are making quantum leaps almost overnight it seems. At this rate I don't see why we couldn't colonize the solar system by the end of this century. Taking until somewhere in the 2200's seems a bit long to me so I just figured that some momentous event happened to slow things down. It's just conjecture on my part.
ecgordon
Star's Hero
It's the propulsion system developed by Solomon Epstein that made it work in the Expanse 'verse. They had already established bases on the moon and Mars, but until he came along, the long transit times to the asteroid belt and especially the moons of Jupiter and Saturn prohibited expansion. If we assume the series begins in 2250, that means the Epstein Drive was developed around 2100. That gives them about 150 years to get to the point where the series starts, permanent bases on several Jovian and Saturnian moons, as well as a thriving shipping center on Ceres and several other asteroid mining colonies. No matter how fast technology advances, it still takes time to get all the infrastructure in place for those bases.
You may be right, and a breakthrough in propulsion could be just around the corner. I hope in occurs in my lifetime, but I'm already 65 and know I don't have much longer. If I live to be 100, that takes me to 2050. I expect we'll have landed men on Mars by that time, but no permanent base there or maybe not even on the moon.
You may be right, and a breakthrough in propulsion could be just around the corner. I hope in occurs in my lifetime, but I'm already 65 and know I don't have much longer. If I live to be 100, that takes me to 2050. I expect we'll have landed men on Mars by that time, but no permanent base there or maybe not even on the moon.
Jim of WVa
Well Known GateFan
I agree. I cannot see the Democratic Party of the United States of America allowing unfettered capitalism in the outer solar system.
It kind of makes sense Shaved. Consider that with current propulsion technology Ceres would be a goodly long trip. IIRC the universe in the books posits very slow growth (Luna and Mars) until as noted by ecgordon the Epstein Drive (basically a big breakthrough in efficiency for Fusion Rockets) provides ships with sufficient speed to make regular travel to the belt and inner planets practical. IIRC the drive is developed somewhere around 2070 and the premiere episode is somewhere around 2200.
shavedape
Well Known GateFan
But - but, what about a eugenics war? There's always a eugenics war to slow things down.
ecgordon
Star's Hero
Don't forget politicians who won't fund projects. It was nine years between the last manned moon landing and the first shuttle flight. It was nineteen years between the demise of Skylab and the launch of the ISS. It's been several years since the last shuttle flight without an replacement vehicle funded by NASA.But - but, what about a eugenics war? There's always a eugenics war to slow things down.
I cannot see the GOP lasting past this next election.
Errant of Patha
GateFans Member
I'm looking forward to this and Childhoods End. See if syfy can be the old scifi channel.
They've improved recently.
Dark Matter was okay and so was Killjoys. Basic low budget but entertaining action shows with space sauce. Z Nation is an entertaining and funny riff on zombie shows. The Expanse has promise if the second episode advances the story properly. Childhood's End.....we'll see. The book wasn't the best book ever and it looks in the previews like they do diverge from it somewhat.
On the other hand, we have a prominent member here with a connection to it...
Dark Matter was okay and so was Killjoys. Basic low budget but entertaining action shows with space sauce. Z Nation is an entertaining and funny riff on zombie shows. The Expanse has promise if the second episode advances the story properly. Childhood's End.....we'll see. The book wasn't the best book ever and it looks in the previews like they do diverge from it somewhat.
On the other hand, we have a prominent member here with a connection to it...