Which means the speed is not really important as you could make the ship Bigger.
where did you get this from? the larger a ship gets the more energy that must go into it to get it moving...
basic physics man, like this is INTUITIVE physics...
ion drives are 10times as efficient than chemical propulsion systems,
and matter-matter anhiliation is millions of times more efficient, but the result is the same.
if you wanted to get to the closest star to ours in one lifetime you would need over several hundred Kg fuel, and thats again, assuming complete 100%engine efficiency (all matter->energy)
am not talking EXtremes,, you could have a planet that has highly nutrient surface
and not enough heavymetals to encourage large industrial base
in which case it would be FAR more efficient to just use what industry base you have and/or what organic growth base you have.
come to think you should integrate the two...
READ CAREFULLY and explain why you think this is NEVER going to happen,, and remember
that ion drives are going to get even more efficient when we reach the point of colonizing
another worlds.
they just simply aren't enough. not in this lifetime, not in anyone's.
you would need to develop a system who's matter->energy efficiency was either over 100% (definately NOT ion engines) or some FTL capability that doesnt require more energy with more mass.
