Part 4/11:
Given these challenges, many speculate that no viable interstellar empire can exist without advancements in faster-than-light (FTL) travel or life extension technologies. Iconic science fiction works, particularly Frank Herbert's Dune, integrate both of these solutions seamlessly into their narratives. In Dune, the Spice Melange not only extends human lifespan but also enables safe FTL travel through its psychic properties. The scarcity of the Spice creates a monopoly on space travel and reinforces the cohesion of the empire.