Here is a simple challenge for those who feel they have enough technical knowhow to discuss and tackle subjects pertaining to space exploration. I devised this exercise in such a way that (hopefully), by the end of this exercise, you will know for yourself, how important it is to have a solid foundation of the principles of Newtonian physics and orbital mechanics, before embarking on lengthy, never-ending discussions on such lofty subjects as "time travel", "exploration of the universe" or "space warps" and "worm holes".
As a hint, before you try answering this question, look up the word "counter-intuitive" in the dictionary, because it will help you a lot in answering the question.
Also, after this test, you will realize why "Star Wars" physics and "Star Trek" physics DO NOT WORK in the real universe.
Ok, as an introduction, take a look at this first image:
Now this is very simple physics at work here. Let's say both F-16's are flying at a speed of about 400 kilometers per hour. It's obvious that to reach Aircraft B, the F-16 (Aircraft A) must speed up (i.e. engage afterburner, dive, etc.) to be able to reach F-16 B, right? So perhaps, it should increase its speed to about 450 kilometers per hour or greater. No debate there.
But now...let's go out into space, specifically, low earth orbit, about 300 kilometers up, and instead of F-16's we have the space shuttle, about 300 kilometers away from ISS, scheduled for a rendezvous and docking.
Remember, at this very instant, in that example pictured above, both the shuttle and the ISS are orbiting the earth at an incredible speed of around 28,000 kilometers per hour.
So now, try to answer the question.
-RODION