Questions tagged [science-fiction]
For questions relating to worlds with a setting of common science-fiction.
6
votes
2answers
339 views
What if Earth became a rogue planet?
I'm writing a science fiction novel in which Earth essentially gets the boot out of our Solar System. No sun, no moon, just Earth flying through the depths of deep space. I need to nail down rogue ...
0
votes
2answers
39 views
Interplanetary Agriculture
What would be a good way to set up farms and trade among planets to ensure that the people of each planet are well fed?
9
votes
7answers
675 views
Is it possible for a planet’s climate to block, or at least make wireless communication irrelevant?
So, I’m writing a sci-fi story, which has a setting which involves human colonists crash landing on a massive, icy hellhole. The weather is extreme on the surface, and because of it, wireless ...
-1
votes
3answers
117 views
How does modern military equip itself to deal with people using medieval weaponry? [on hold]
Imagine something like a 'Stargate scenario'. The modern military has a means to send small squads to other worlds populated by people. The majority of these people will be at medieval or lower ...
-1
votes
2answers
100 views
Realistic (sci-fi) ideas on how biological mind control could be possible through a virus infecting a person?
I've been trying to reimagine vampires using sci-fi science to explain the more traditional vampiric abilities. So far I'm quite liking a rabies-like virus to explain biting and regenerative rest. I ...
0
votes
0answers
65 views
Would a spaceship be able to stay hidden for some time,if hidden behind an asteroid and running on minimal power output? [duplicate]
Let's say I have a spaceship I want to hide. If the ship had her lights, engine, reactor and non-essential power consuming modules turned off, is covered in a camouflage that reflects light like an ...
3
votes
3answers
69 views
Electrolysis Assisted Aerobic Organisms [on hold]
Hi this is my 2nd question on the site and I hope it is intriguing to you all. My question is: How feasible is it for an organism to sustain an Aerobic lifestyle (ie. the standard oxygen cycle found ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Desert planet with forests at the poles
I'm thinking up a Mars or Venus type planet where the poles (or one pole) has a forest growing out of it due to a device that is used to make the planet more habitable by creating a oxygen friendly ...
-1
votes
4answers
105 views
What advancements in firearms technology to increase overall effectiveness could we see with material science more advanced than what we have today? [on hold]
If there was access to more advanced material sciences (such as polymers, metallurgy, plastics, and ceramics), what new developments in weapons technology could we see that can be as paradigm changing ...
4
votes
2answers
49 views
Stellar and magnetic parameters for creating polar radiation hazards
I've got a generally earthlike planet, but my goal is to make radiation exposure in the polar regions a much larger hazard than it is on Earth, while not being an issue in other regions. Nothing ...
6
votes
7answers
2k views
How can I turn ice into gold?
I have my eyes on this new Porsche but all I have is an unlimited supply of ice and a molecular distillery. How can I convert this ice into gold?
The molecular distillery can disassemble and ...
4
votes
8answers
249 views
Locking an old spaceship from the outside?
I know it may be a bit of a silly question and not really something of great importance to a story, but how would you secure a spaceship when you leave?
For example; when the Millennium Falcon lands ...
4
votes
5answers
215 views
Ultrapowerful chemical propellant for guns
I'm building a moderately hard scifi future setting that focuses on space and land warfare and I'm trying to decide what would be the most realistic from an engineering standpoint of artillery tech ...
-3
votes
0answers
70 views
What could a scientist in my Star Wars fan fic be working on? [closed]
Im trying to write a story about a scientist who is working on something in the era of the New Republic. He does not believe in the Force. I just need something for him to be researching. It really ...
1
vote
3answers
176 views
Need help with details concerning non-conventional sci fi vampires
I would like to create a sci fi human faction that resemble vampires without many of the past tropes while reimagining some for a sci fi feel. I would like to avoid any magic and fantastical abilities....
0
votes
3answers
212 views
How can I alter humans to allow them the ability to choose the sex of their child in the ancient world?
Research shows that some creatures in the animal kingdom manipulate the sex of their child in order to maximize the number of grandchildren. Parents in good condition, based on health, size, dominance ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
Can Artificial Expansion of Space Facilitate Dark Energy [closed]
Granted, not much is known about Dark Energy. Indeed, it may not even exist.
What we know is that something is driving the expansion of space (understanding we do not live in a Hubble bubble). This ...
19
votes
11answers
7k views
If the SUN of our planet was the same size and proximity of the moon, would it still work as usual?
I'm building the world of my story for my comics and I've come to a bit of a standstill with a particular idea.
Assuming there were no other planets in our universe, just a single planet Earth.
The ...
1
vote
3answers
88 views
What could result in a colonized Mars setting up a monarchy [closed]
In the future after a nuclear war has ravaged Earth, leaving the Martian colonies on their own and without support...
Mars falls under the attacks of local militias, fragmenting. That is until some ...
5
votes
3answers
117 views
What practical forms can a “branch-tailed” organism have?
So, I made the slight mistake of worldbuilding by starting off with just a planet's local sentient species and working from there.
This species, the Trillek, have a more or less theropod appearance ...
8
votes
3answers
116 views
When I turn on my warp drive, where does the energy go?
I've just bought myself a shiny new spaceship equipped with the latest in FTL warp technology, the only catch is the fuel bill, this thing drinks the stuff like it's going out of fashion (still, it's ...
2
votes
5answers
90 views
How can a killer AI convince people to aid it? [closed]
The Network is a ancient, advanced rogue military AI with only one goal: TO KILL!
Luckily for every species that has encountered The Network in the span of known history, it doesn't want to kill them;...
3
votes
6answers
193 views
How can a projectile resistant shield be susceptible to physical blows?
There is an ancient martial arts tournament called the kumite that takes place on an isolated island. This tournament brings together the greatest fighters of the various mortal realms to fight each ...
7
votes
8answers
204 views
Napoleonic Future Warfare: Technology for Ground Combat?
In a 'verse with Conveniant Interstellar Travel (in the scale of a few weeks to a few months for neighbouring star systems), the East Orion Company controls large swathes of the sector thanks to their ...
0
votes
2answers
120 views
What could be a physiological downside of a permanently bonded symbiotic life-form that alters the host in profound physical ways? [closed]
PREMISE:
A symbiotic lifeform permanently bonds with its host and radically transforms the host organism.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Imagine a symbiotic life form like the [Klyntar](http://marvel
....
7
votes
5answers
269 views
Shooting down an enemy ship at FTL speeds
In the story I'm currently working on an alien race holds the monopoly on FTL travel. They're using a modified Alcubierre drive system, powered by Negative Mass. Humanity stumbles on a source of ...
4
votes
4answers
206 views
How long would it take a matter-antimatter GeV gamma ray laser photon rocket to get to Ross128b (11 light years away)?
I'm writing a colony story, and I want my ship to colonise Ross128b, which is 11 light years away from Earth. I need the characters to be alive when they get there, but it's okay if they've aged ...
1
vote
4answers
198 views
What is the “fullest” the universe could be in terms of living space? [closed]
Lets take a civilization that has surpassed the type III on the Kardashev scale. It has the following assumptions:
It harnesses the energy of entire Galaxies,
its populace did not transcend. If you ...
10
votes
2answers
326 views
What goes in, must come out - limitations of temporal displacement
I am plotting out a sci-fi setting, and trying to figure out the consequences of a non-conventional form of time travel.
In the story, time travel has been achieved by means of temporal displacement....
6
votes
4answers
809 views
Potential system to system travel?
So one of the ideas I've come up with for system to system travel, in the early colony stage of my world, is using fuel boosters to start the journey and then to reach the required speed for the ...
18
votes
8answers
6k views
Is a red sea on a habitable world scientifically possible?
I have an idea that the seas of a world are red, not blue. However, the world should also be the birthplace of an intelligent alien species. Would it be scientifically possible to have a world with a ...
4
votes
4answers
111 views
Hypothetically, should cultural/genetic Homogeneity in Aliens be considered the Exception, or the Rule?
Humans all belong to a Single Species, localized on a single small-ish planet... Yet we are incredibly diverse in both Culture and Individual Appearance/Adaptation to our environment. This also seems ...
24
votes
12answers
9k views
Why Laser “Guns”? [closed]
We all love laser guns (which are usually plasma weaponry) but why guns? It's not like we need the long barrel for making it more accurate or the stock to control recoil. So why guns and why not ...
3
votes
4answers
168 views
Defence against volcano?
Say I have a group of people who live next to a volcano for religious reasons. They will not move. This volcano erupts very regularly - almost once a week. What kind of defence or adaptability ...
10
votes
3answers
672 views
In extreme cases, can skyhooks or space elevators be used to funnel extreme planetary heating
Assume a world in a distant (2100+) future. Assume an exponential construction rate (1, 2, 4, 8 etc.) in skyhooks/time. Assume significant solar system exploration and industrialization. Assume ...
0
votes
4answers
119 views
Kingdom Takeover [closed]
There is an army that destroys and massacres most kingdoms (not all). It’s not for power, money, resources (including land) or slavery. Why would they do this?
15
votes
7answers
2k views
Would ground-based vehicles become obsolete in the age of space combat?
I'd think the future combat of planetary invasion (as in conquering, not destroying) would use space fighters/gunships with infantry for CQC support.
Realistically, in a universe where interstellar ...
25
votes
11answers
6k views
How do I scientifically explain a specific type of wood piercing through armor when not even bullets can?
I've created a monster with three weaknesses:
A soft spot in his belly that can be pierced through normally with objects, but the monster is so big and fast that hitting it is extremely hard and ...
2
votes
5answers
212 views
Lifting a spider mech
So, I have many of the infamous spider-mechs (such as in this question) roaming about in my highly futuristic setting.
My mechs are arguably huge: the main body is 7 meters tall, in a conical shape, ...
5
votes
6answers
152 views
Does a large population make sense in a galactic society with automation tech?
So I am writing a Sci-Fi novel where humans are currently spread out over 440 Star systems ( ~ 2000 Light years). There has been several breakthroughs in Automation technology and all manual labor ...
0
votes
1answer
76 views
Can I use another calendar in a Space Opera? [closed]
I'm creating a space opera (or a soft science fiction in space) universe, but I am trying to devise a calendar and I don't know if I should use the calendar of Earth (using the time before and after ...
2
votes
0answers
78 views
Catastophe inhibitor against WMD's [closed]
I want to have a catastrophe inhibitor (CatIn from now on) that reduces the effects of WMDs like nukes and kinetic impactors, but I do not want it to mess up other physics. It would be annoying if you ...
6
votes
2answers
208 views
Genetic modifications for the ultimate office drone?
In a dystopian future, genetic editing, stem cell research and cloning have become commonplace. Humans in embryo can be genetically modified and designed to a immense variation; some people can give ...
0
votes
1answer
104 views
In 1000 years, could a magnetic bottle-like plasma dome system protect a small city? [closed]
I've looked at the magnetic bottle (hydrogen plasma/fusion) idea as a potential basis for extrapolating what technology might be capable of doing with plasma fields 1000 years into the future...which ...
9
votes
7answers
2k views
Ways to detect lasers from afar
In my sci-fi universe, spaceship shields are generated by capturing plasma between two electromagnetic fields. Projectiles are evaporated by the heat of the plasma, and charged particles are deflected ...
5
votes
12answers
289 views
How would 'Normal' people stop/confound/hinder my telepaths?
The telepaths can read the minds of anyone with less Teep power than they have.
I.E. Weak Telepaths can have their minds read by stronger ones, and every telepath can read a 'normal' mind.
The ...
6
votes
8answers
277 views
How would an advanced civilization on a space station not be able to explore the planet they orbit without significant time between each expedition?
Extremely advanced civilization on a computerized space station orbiting a desolate uninhabited planet. There are no other known civilizations within this station's sphere of observation. Not many ...
6
votes
7answers
781 views
How to use a certain technology to communicate with colonies but keep the how-to a secret?
I'm building a world for a role-playing game campaign using the Stars Without Number system.
Some background information first:
Stars Without Number Original Setting: In the original story ...
18
votes
7answers
4k views
How can one individual have two different biological signatures?
A detective is investigating a series of grisly murders in New York. The bodies of the victims seem to have been ripped apart by a inhumanly strong person. He has narrowed down the list of suspects to ...
5
votes
2answers
163 views
Minimum percentage of immune when epidemic lowers IQ in the 80's?
I have an epidemic of unknown origin spreading across the earth. The effects are decrease in cognitive ability to around 80+ IQ. So we have a surgeons who don't know how to operate, engineers who don'...
