Remembrance of Earth's Past, #3
Death's End
by Cixin Liu
Contents
Excerpt from A Past Outside of Time Motion Through Bending Space
Overview
This excerpt clarifies the scientific meaning of the clue Cheng Xin and AA have just decoded: curvature propulsion depends on manipulating the curvature of space rather than simply thrusting through it. The discussion distinguishes impossible space-folding from a more plausible method that could drive a ship toward light speed.
By tying the concept’s credibility to Yun Tianming’s message, the chapter confirms that his fairy tales may contain a real survival technology for humanity.
Summary
The excerpt explains the physical premise behind curvature propulsion: space is not flat but curved, even if it appears flat at local scales. It compares the universe to a membrane whose curvature is always present.
Earlier spaceflight ideas imagined exploiting this curvature by folding space itself, making distant points touch and effectively dragging a destination to the traveler. The text emphasizes that such a method was far beyond practical or even theoretical possibility.
A more limited proposal later emerged: a ship might reduce the curvature of space behind it, so the more curved space ahead would pull it forward. This would not create instant travel, but it could let a vessel approach light speed.
The excerpt concludes that curvature propulsion remained speculative until Yun Tianming’s message was interpreted correctly. His concealed information transformed the idea from one dream among many into a potentially meaningful path toward lightspeed flight.
Who Appears
- Yun TianmingHis hidden message gives credibility to the once-speculative idea of curvature propulsion.