The GÖDE-Stiftung’s latest workshop brought together scientists and science fiction authors in Waldaschaff to discuss ideas for innovative propulsion systems.
The history of mankind is also a history of drive technology, because it has always been important to move things from left to right, from A to B and last but not least from bottom to top. This can be done with hands and feet, easier with draught horses and even better with technical help. The development of various drive technologies ranges from steam engines to combustion engines and electric motors to jet engines and nuclear propulsion.
The
question is – how will development continue? Which engine will be
next?
Research inspiration from
the Perry Rhodan universe
These were the questions discussed last weekend in a workshop organised by the GÖDE-Stiftung in Waldaschaff. Foundation creator Dr. Michael Göde had brought together scientists, technicians and science fiction authors to discuss seemingly fantastic ideas from literature as inspiration for further research.
In addition to authors of the Perry Rhodan series, the world’s most successful science fiction and book novel series, and other writers, Thomas Le Blanc, director of the Fantastic Library Wetzlar, was among the workshop participants. Founded in 1987, the ‘Phantastische Bibliothek’ administers and maintains the world’s largest publicly accessible collection of fantastic literature with more than 250,000 titles – a rich pool of incredible technical ideas.
One technology often found in science fiction, for example, is what is known as anti-gravity propulsion, which enables spacecraft to overcome gravity. If this idea could be turned into reality, it would be a new milestone in the history of propulsion technologies.
“Fantastic literature, such as Jules Verne’s ‘Journey to the Moon’, has often anticipated future technologies,” explains Dr. Michael Göde, founder and owner of the GÖDE Group. “The aim of our conference was to use original ideas from science fiction to take a new and fresh look at technical issues and thus gain new ideas for research”.