How do cargo ships from science fiction compare to real - world cargo ships?
Real - world cargo ships are slow and use traditional fuel sources like diesel, while science - fiction ones could use clean energy like fusion power. Also, real cargo ships rely on human labor for most operations, but the fictional ones would be highly automated.
The design of real - world cargo ships is mainly for efficiency in water - based transport. Science - fiction cargo ships would have more futuristic and functional designs. For example, they might have modular sections for different types of cargo and the ability to reconfigure themselves in space. They would also need advanced shielding and life - support systems which real - world ships don't require.
In size, real - world cargo ships are limited by current engineering and economic factors. Science - fiction cargo ships could be gigantic, spanning kilometers in length. Moreover, real - world ships mainly operate on Earth's oceans, but the fictional ones would travel through space, facing different challenges like cosmic radiation and zero - gravity handling of cargo.
