UFO Travel Calculator

The UFO Travel Calculator is an educational spacecraft journey model inspired by interplanetary and interstellar travel. It starts with the absolute difference between starting and target positions, then divides that distance by a constant cruise speed. Because a real craft cannot jump instantly to cruise velocity, the entered acceleration time is included once for departure and once for deceleration at the destination. The total coordinate time is therefore cruise time plus two acceleration phases. This intentionally simple model makes assumptions visible rather than claiming to simulate an unknown propulsion technology. Relativity matters when speed becomes a substantial fraction of the speed of light. The calculator restricts velocity to less than 299,792.458 kilometres per second and computes the Lorentz factor γ = 1/√(1 − v²/c²). Coordinate time is the duration measured in the starting frame. Dividing it by γ estimates elapsed time aboard a constantly moving craft. At ordinary spacecraft speeds the factor is almost one, so the two times are effectively equal. Near light speed the traveler's elapsed time becomes shorter, although observers in the starting frame still measure the full coordinate duration. The energy output uses entered continuous power rather than attempting to infer kinetic energy from an unspecified spacecraft mass. Megawatts multiplied by operating hours gives megawatt-hours. Dividing by fractional system efficiency estimates the input energy needed to deliver that operating power. This quantity is not propellant mass. Converting energy to fuel would require a specific energy density, conversion process, reserve policy, tank mass, and often the relativistic rocket equation. Acceleration power may also differ radically from cruise power, so the estimate should be treated as a transparent scenario metric. Real mission design is much more complex. Trajectories curve under gravity, planetary positions change, acceleration may be continuous, and propulsion systems have limits on thrust, waste heat, exhaust velocity, and available energy. Relativistic acceleration requires integrating velocity over time rather than simply adding fixed-duration phases. The calculator nevertheless helps users compare scales, see why distant destinations remain challenging, and explore how speed and efficiency affect a hypothetical journey. It is not evidence that faster-than-light or unidentified craft exist, and it cannot establish engineering feasibility. Use verified ephemerides, propulsion data, numerical trajectory software, and professional mission analysis for real aerospace work.