Editing Launch tube (TOS)

{{disline|This article covers the {{TOS|Battlestar Galactica|Original Series}} launch tubes. For their [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|reimagined]] counterpart, see [[Launch tube (RDM)]].}}

[[Image:Launch Tube Interior - Front.png|thumb|right|A {{TOS|Viper}} ready to launch {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}.]]
'''Launch tubes''' are the primary mechanism for launching the {{TOS|Viper}} fighter craft from a [[Battlestar (TOS)|battlestar]].

A battlestar's launch tubes are located within the two quasi- cylindrical nacelle pods located to the port and starboard. Each nacelle has 16 launch tubes, which are slanted towards the battlestar's aft. Designed solely for Viper craft, each tube has a track in the [[launch bay]] where the Viper sits prior to launch.

Vipers are loaded into an embarkation area at the inner-most end of the tube during pre-flight prep, and are launched when the pilot is given the "Launch when ready" command. Once inside the sealed tube, the pilot initiates the launch by activating the [[Turbo|turbo thrusters]] on the Viper. This quickly accelerates the Viper, slamming the pilot into the back of their seat and sending the fighter through the length of the launch tube into the stars.

Launch tubes are equipped with surveillance equipment that is accessible from [[core command]]. {{TOS|Athena}} uses the camera to catch {{TOS|Starbuck}} and [[Cassiopeia]] seeking some privacy in a launch tube. Athena activates a steam purge, which is likely intended for maintenance purposes more than for burning unfaithful Viper pilots {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}.

The interior of the launch tubes are well shielded, presumably to handle any backwash from a Viper's engines. This is evident when [[Chameleon]] fires a laser volley from Starbuck's Viper into the launch tube, after Starbuck lures two [[Borellian Nomen]], [[Maga]] and [[Bora]], into the tube without major structural damage {{OS|The Man with Nine Lives}}.

==Related Images==
<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Launch Tube Interior - Back.png|A Viper launching.
File:Viper Accelerating Down Launch Tube.png|Viper accelerating down its launch tube.
File:TOS - TMWNL - Starbuck Enters the Launch Tube.jpg|{{TOS|Starbuck}} leads two [[Borellian Nomen]] down a {{TOS|launch tube}} {{OS|The Man with Nine Lives}}.
File:TOS - TMWNL - Launch Tube.jpg|[[Maga]] and [[Bora]] hunt for {{TOS|Starbuck}} down a {{TOS|launch tube}} {{OS|The Man with Nine Lives}}.
</gallery>

{{tabnav|Galactica Areas
| episode1 = Saga of a Star World
| series = TOS
}}

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