Images and memories
Sagittarius Galactica Spectaular in january 1985, as it appeared in the local newspaper "Oppland Arbeiderblad". I made this when I was between 15 and 17 years, in the mid 80s.
This is a hand made fantasy model of a star ship, meant to accelerate towards to galactic centre, towards the constellation of Sagittarius. Halfway, near the galactic centre, the ship turns around with its engines pointing forward to reduce the speed and coming to rest at the destination on the other side of the galaxy. With one g acceleration/deceleration, the trip could be done in a lifetime. The ship would hold a bio-system (an upscaled "Biosphere") providing life support for the people on board. The engine would be run with matter and antimatter annihilation. There would be an electromagnetic field deflecting small particles and dust to prevent collision.
The model contains electronics to control the lights by touch swithches. All this was made from electronics parts form old radios and circuits. A large number of led-lights and micro light bulbs, and flourescent light tubes inside, was used. The model itself was made from styrofoam, plastic, metal, aluminum plates and other parts that I found suitable. So, its a space-sculpture.
This sort of project could be realised in the far future if we could live in peace and all nations could pull in the same direction, as I told the reporter back then. A need to leave the Earth will arise when the sun changes in the very far future. What I didnt realise back then is that we were on the way to destroying the envionment resulting from population growth, ecological exploitation, burning of fossil fuels, and short-sighted profit. Sadly, we would then look at the possibility finding another solar system much sooner and embark on an "interstellar exodus" for the lucky few. Nuclear war was a possibility in the 80s, but not so much anymore if we can avoid accidents and if we can vote for leadrs that are competent and not crazy.
A more bright prospect is that we will learn from mistakes and come to the senses, and eventually do allright, and the ship would leave the Earth just for the sake of exploration and curiosity. We would then also be ready to meet other beings out there. The ship could return to Earth after a galactic round-trip. The crew would then have outlived their generation back on Earth due to time dilation as predicted in the theory of relativity. So this would also be forwards time travel relative to the Earth.
