First, let me define what I term as “Outer Space.” I am not referring to just the planets in our immediate solar system. I am referring to what lies outside our immediate solar system, including Alpha Centauri and beyond.

The highest speed attained by a manned vehicle was 24,791 mph by Apollo 10 on May 26, 1969. The closest star to planet Earth, other than the sun, is Proxima Centauri, in the cluster with Alpha Centauri A and B, which are about 4 1/3 light years from Earth. That means, that traveling at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second), it would take us 4 1/3 years approximately to reach our closest star. Why is that a big deal? If a manned space vehicle could average 25,000 mph, which none have attained that speed so far, it would take approximately 110,000 years for that manned spacecraft to reach our closest star. If we could somehow attain 50,000 mph it would still take about 55,000 years. But it makes for such great TV and movies! Yeah, well.

Our biology is connected to Earth. Earth is just right for protecting and sustaining life. For our bodies to function properly we need gravity. Reduced gravity leads to heart atrophy. Heart atrophy leads to decreases in blood pressure and the amount of blood pushed out by the heart. (The New England Journal of Medicine, vol 358, p 1370)  

Our brains do not receive sufficient blood flow. Our astronauts that return to Earth after several months in the International Space Station experience dizziness and blackouts because blood does not reach their brains in sufficient quantities.

Muscle tissue suffers also. After experiencing “anti-gravity” for a short period of time, we lose muscle volume and power (Journal of Applied Physiology, vol 106, p 1159). Our astronauts have also experienced a decreased capacity for fat oxidation; a deterioration of immune function; and also bone loss.

Everything we currently know about the laws of physics tells us that faster-than-light travel – or even travel at the speed of light – is not possible. But surely E.T. could share with us their space travel technology. If so, then we could travel beyond our immediate solar system. If you knew the truth about E.T., it might change your perspective on a few things as well. “Aliens” do exist; but what are they, and where do they really come from? Well, perhaps that is a story line for another day.