Basilicus
Worldbuilding
on a galactic scale
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Basilicus Prime Space Travel and Technology can vary from civilization to civilization. There are, however, many methods or variations of methods that are commonly used throughout the galaxy. This article summarizes them.
Antheonic Rings[]
Created 2 billion years ago by the Antheons, the Antheonic Rings are the safest way to travel great distances. They are large, planetary machines that make modern interstellar travel possible.
Although scientists know the principles of the Antheonic Rings, they don't know how it fundamentally works or even what energy makes it work.
Nothing displays more the Antheons' ability to cheat time than the Antheonic Rings. When travelers enter a ring, another dimension is added to them. Being fourth dimensional they are separate from time (i.e. it no longer takes time to go distance) then they enter the ring of destination at the moment they left safely third dimensional again. Since the trip is "timeless" travelers must be frozen or they could instantaneously age and die. Those that were conscious during a journey through the rings have never returned not being able to join the third dimension again. Possibly these travelers are forever suspended in non-time, never to wake.
The Antheons were so good at this technology that they made thousands of rings throughout the galaxy. Many of these gates have yet to be discovered.
Notes
- There are 2,876 known Antheonic Gates and more are discovered each year
- If a star system is not located near an Antheonic Ring it is often completely removed from interstellar society until STW Routes are made.
- Travelers must be cyrogenically frozen before entering the rings or they will not come out on the other side
- Although it is not exactly known how the rings work, it is simple enough to program a destination with the ring before passing through.
- Any ring can lead to any other ring if the coordinates are known before hand.
- If coordinates are not determined before entry the destination appears to be random (this is often how new rings are discovered).
- Going to a random destination can be dangerous, because not all rings are in proper working order or in safe regions of space.
- Any spacecraft or object can enter a ring and come out intact on the other side (the Ring Effect only occurs on living things with higher levels of perception)
Space/Time Wavelength Route Travel (STW)[]
A fairly recent technology developed by the Helics, STW Routes are the most common mode of interstellar travel in the galaxy. In short, STW Routes work by emulating the frequency of Space/Time and increasing the wavelength so that objects affected by the frequency are pushed faster than the rest of the universe.
An STW transmitter and receiver are set up at various points between two locations. They transmit electromagnetic radiation at Space/Time's frequency. Properly equipped vehicles can tune into that frequency when in the transmissions path. Once tuned, the wavelength is altered effectively pushing the route beyond Space/Time. This exponentially decreases the time it takes to cross interstellar distances. Although actual speeds vary depending on the route, STW Routes can take spacecraft 1,000s of times the speed of light.
Notes[]
- Although it doesn't take very much energy to transmit and receive the STW the gravitational affects of pushing Space/Time can be quite phenomenal. STW Routes must start and end in deep space at least 500 holds from planetary space. They are often placed on the outskirts of star systems.
- Wavelengths can only be lengthened when all spacecraft are safely on the route.
- Unless properly equipped, spacecraft not on a route when wavelengths are lengthened can incur severe damage or be destroyed
- Onboard STW equipment allowing access to STW Routes are very expensive and are often only held by commercial spacelines and military organizations
- It is generally cost-prohibitive to have STW equipment on small and short range spacecraft
- Although spacecraft are propelled much faster than the speed of light, it still takes time to go distance. Spacecraft can't go any faster than 12 times the speed of light.
- Spacecraft are propelled faster than the speed of light and consequently faster than Space/Time itself. This means that there is no way to perceive the universe while traveling. If any conditions changed while in flight it would be unknown. Additionally, one cannot communicate with those outside the spacecraft during travel. The exception is communication can exist between spacecraft on the same STW Route.
- Due to the immense speeds if a STW Route is not adequately cleared space debris can completely destroy any spacecraft going through.
- To avoid potential hazards or political boundaries, STW routes often stop at checkpoints before proceeding.
- If a spacecraft leaves the STW Route during travel it would, in effect, be obliterated.
Local Space Travel[]
Most spacecraft are equipped with high velocity thrusters that can push them at over 6.6737E-6 Holds per Galactic Hour. Sometimes they can go even faster, but many star systems have strict speed limits in place to avoid problems. High velocity spacecraft can be destroyed by small pieces of debris if they aren't properly equipped.
Depending on the planet, most spacecraft can exit with its own thrusters on designated flight paths. Planets with particularly high gravitation may need exit assistance with higher-powered spacecraft or rocket technology.
Re-entry is performed through a systematic degrade in orbit around a planet's atmosphere. On populated worlds the spacecraft is given a clear flight path to follow. Orbital Degradation can take several minutes, but some flight paths take the spacecraft in quite quickly. Spacecraft cannot generally fly straight into the atmosphere unless they are properly equipped, as is the case with some military craft.
Notes
- Most Star Systems and planets have strict regulations regarding speed, launch, and re-entry
- Populated worlds have spaceports on the ground and in orbit that coordinate flight paths and offer docking solutions for most types of spacecraft
- Some spacecraft are too large to enter into the atmosphere and must remain in orbit or docked at a spaceport
- Most civilized space sectors keep in regular contact with pilots on their path through the area, even if there are no worlds or other spacecraft around.
- Properly equipped spacecraft can be quite expensive and are generally flown by businesses or military organizations.
- There are many spaceliners that can take passengers of all kinds to many destinations.
Photon Communication[]
Although most local (i.e. planetary) communication uses standard transmitting/receiving variations of Radio Frequency, interstallar communication is a bit more complicated. Photon Communication, created by Communications Plus, Inc., is a technology using the science of photon reversal. This allows broadcasters and receivers to communicate with no delay at all, even when at different ends of the galaxy. Photon communication became the backbone of CommPlus's TerraNet and is the only known technology for interstellar communication.
Notes
- Photon Communication technology is owned exclusively by CommPlus Inc. and is consequently very expensive
- A transmission can only be received by a single predetermined receiver allowing only for one to one communication.
- Often photon transmissions are rebroadcast into Radio Frequency so it can better be managed by local communication systems
- Photon Communicators are called "pho-comms" by most users
- Communicators can be as small as a wallet or an entire system in spacecraft. There is no particular size limitation.
TerraNet[]
Developed by Communication Plus, Inc., TerraNet is the largest network of information systems in the Galaxy. Based on photon reversal technology, all those connected to the network can access information hosted from anywhere in the galaxy.
TerraNet is usually accessed through a MSLI ([[Motion Sensitive Light Interface)). MSLI is the standard for Information Technology (IT) and can come in various forms. Most users have a small pad that will project the interface. The user's motions send command signals to the IT's processor. Other IT's can be integrated into Pho-Comms, fashion accessories such as eyeglasses and time pieces, or built into desks and walls.
Notes
- Most local interstellar communication occurs over TerraNet because it can be used without an expensive pho-comm and be broadcasted to more receivers.
- In the civilized galaxy, TerraNet is integrated into almost every electronic device, even if it is just for market research purposes
- KeCu (Kelos Credit Units) and other major currencies are tracked via TerraNet to track transactions and overall market conditions.
- CommPlus is the sole owner of TerraNet and photon reversal technology making them the center of a lot of political problems.