Miguel Alcubierre, Inventor of Warp Drive?

Inspired by Star Trek, distinguished physicist Miguel Alcubierre developed the general relativity-based model for warp drive 20 years ago. Hear why he doubts it will ever be a reality, and learn about his current research on gravitational waves. See the jets shooting out of Rosetta's comet with Emily Lakdawalla. Bill Nye previews a Capitol Hill hearing about mining asteroids, and Bruce Betts spends a year on Pluto for What's Up.

Related Links:

• Lifeboat Foundation Bio for Miguel Alcubierre
• NASA/Glenn Status of Warp Drive Article
• Latest Rosetta NavCam images reveal jets on Churyumov-Gerasimenko
• Submit Predictions to Fly in an Asteroid Time Capsule
• 9/21 Planetary Radio Live: MAVEN Arrives at Mars
• 9/10 Webcast: Planetary Society President Jim Bell Testifies Before Congress

This week's prize is a Planetary Radio v2.1 T-shirt.

This week's question:

What star has the largest proper motion?

To submit your answer:

Complete the contest entry form at http://planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, September 16, at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

Where in the solar system is Leprechaun Valles?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

In Earth years, how long is a Pluto year?

Answer:

The Plutonian year lasts 247.7 Earth years.