One of the most intriguing futuristic technologies introduced by Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, is that of subspace radio transmissions.
Used as a plot device to streamline storytelling, subspace radio allows for instantaneous communication over vast interstellar distances. With no time delay, starships can seamlessly talk with other starships, as well as distant civilizations and Starfleet Command.
But, instantly communicating across space requires circumventing Einstein’s theory of special relativity. So, is this futuristic technology really possible?
Perhaps. Scientists have a relatively new and fascinating theoretical concept called Quantum Entanglement. This is a phenomenon where two totally separate particles appear to be somehow linked, regardless of how far apart they are in space. A physical alteration in the state of one of the particles instantly influences the physical state of the other. In other words, a change to one of them is immediately mirrored in the other, despite the distance between them. This a puzzling behavior in quantum physics which is yet to be fully understood. But, in theory, if we could create and manipulate these entangled pairs of particles, we could potentially use them to instantly convey messages across any distance. Scientists are working on it. The idea is exciting and holds promise, but we're not there yet.
Roddenberry’s Star Trek has not only entertained viewers, but also sparked imaginations and inspired real world technological innovations. Today, many concepts once deemed purely science fiction are becoming a reality, thanks in part to the visionary ideas presented in this amazing television series.
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