A Real World Version of the Enterprise, in Only 20 Years?

Many people have dreamed of creating the Enterprise, or even living in the realm of Star Trek in the distant future, but no one has ever put together an extensive proposal to actually attain such a lofty goal – until now. Today, an Engineer who simply goes by the name BTE (Build the Enterprise) Dan, suggests that a full scale Enterprise could be built within the next twenty years based only on technology that exists today. He believes that since we have the technology, there is no reason we shouldn’t make the attempt.
According to his plans, the first generation Enterprise would be able to make a trip to Mars in only three months. But is this just theory? Thos who have seen his plans note their meticulous nature and the fact that he seems to have all the details included. Not only do the plans contain ion powered engines, but also allow for artificial gravity on parts of the ship. He’s even come up with a funding schedule that would allow the project to be funded over time though simple, and small, tax increases and cuts that would bring in funds from other programs.
The ship, which would be built in space much like the International Space Station was, is quite functional. With a rotating plate to provide gravity within the saucer section, and nacelles that would keep nuclear powered reactors away from the people inhabiting the ship, it seems that BTE Dan has left nothing to question. He says it will act as a space station, with the capability of holding about a thousand people aboard at any one time, and as a ship to carry probes and other test equipment to various planets throughout the solar system.
While the project seems quite possible when viewed through the eyes of this engineer, there are some fairly large ‘if’s involved. Getting Congress to approve the funding, which could come through NASA is but one of such obstacles, but it may be one of the biggest. Dan postulates that the funding of the project could be easily accomplished without a huge impact on the United States, but can he get others to agree with that idea?
Find out more on the Build the Enterprise project here.