Battlestar Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series/Archive 1

2006-12-12T01:04:02Z

Niles:

This article comprises the bulk of the original FTL article and elements from a past larger article version of [[Science in the Re-imagined Series]], broken out for later expansion and page size considerations. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 08:14, 11 October 2006 (CDT)

== capitalization of "jump" ==

Why is the word "jump" capitalized so often? Both as noun and verb. I could barely understand capitalizing the noun, and even then it's not a proper noun. But writing "Jump" as verb doesn't make any sense whatsoever. It boggles my mind and just looks silly. Maybe it's just me and I'm overreacting (because I find it annoying), but I correct it wherever I see it.<br>
The only reason I can think of is one or two references in the BSG Season 1 Companion where it is written with a capital letter. But I consider that a typo and not some kind of official standard. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 16:06, 30 October 2006 (CST)

:I am inclined to agree with you, and I also normally correct, erm change, it when I see it. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]]<sup>([[Special:Contributions/CalculatinAvatar|C]]-[[User talk:CalculatinAvatar|T]])</sup> 17:16, 30 October 2006 (CST)

::I have tended to capitalize it in the psat, but now if I do, it's only as part of the phrase, "FTL Jump." However, it may be a point of emphasis that is not necessary, although the term may not be easily distinctive without proper context when describing the event (A lot of people have taken up my "bad" habits.) --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 17:44, 30 October 2006 (CST)

:The capitalization bugs me as well. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 18:14, 30 October 2006 (CST)

I've rediscovered why I've done this practice: The show captions ''consistently'' capitalize "Jump" when speaking of such in FTL. It makes sense in context for them to differentiate it as it would here. Using lowercase implies a diminutive or generic use, for which this does not apply. It would be best here to use "FTL Jump" and not "Jump" except in dialogue accounts, but I believe we should avoid genericizing this. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 11:50, 9 November 2006 (CST)

:Continuing the discussion from the Hybrid page. I don't see the need to distinguish its uses. It's not like we are talking of characters jumping around a lot. "FTL Jump" might be ok though, even if it still looks weird to me, but "Jump" alone not so much IMHO. So as you said, if people insist on capitalizing it, they should better add the "FTL" . Though I still think it's pointless --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 08:03, 17 November 2006 (CST)

== My recent edit ==
I've removed a large amount of content. Before you revert me I'd like to point out that extensive discussion of wormholes is pointless as no allusion to them is made in the show and I see no reason to make that assumption. Additionally the physics references are a bit clumsy in those sections. On arrival all ships are brought to an arbitray frame of reference (which leads to the removal of the second footnote as it's clearly wrong). Faster than light is no misnomer in terms of physical displacement per unit time (velocity) as opposed to distance travelled per unit time (speed), the latter being compleltely unimportant in the context. "Electromagnetic and centripetal energies" is incorrect as neither term refers to any energy.

I notice in the history the use of "centrifugal" was corrected to "centripetal", stating "centrifugal is a misnomer - centripetal is the correct term". To this person I suggest you look up the definitions of the words centrifugal, centripetal and misnomer. {{unsigned|Niles}}

:Niles, welcome. As the series generally doesn't get into technobabble and tries to base its technology on theory, rather than fantasy or pseudoscience such as "warp drive," I don't see the justification of the edit. Using wormhole theory (as our scientists tell it) to give a ''possible, logical explanation'' of the FTL principles of the show is acceptable speculation per the wiki's [[BW:CJ|citation policy]], under "derived content." The use of FTL in the show supports the wormhole principle in many, many episodes, with few continuity errors. I appreciate your commentary, but rather than deletion of the central premise, it would be better to add dissenting information that supports your view. I will restore the article's original content based on this, but I encourage you to add your dissent in an encyclopedic way, with its supporting sources. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 09:36, 17 November 2006 (CST)

::''''As the series generally doesn't get into technobabble and tries to base its technology on theory, rather than fantasy or pseudoscience such as "warp drive," I don't see the justification of the edit.'''''
The show doesn't "base" its technology on anything, theory or otherwise; it just is and that's precisely the justification for the edit. A possible explanation? Why not include all of them, even the technobabble ones? While the wormhole concept is a possible explanation it is not probable (inconsistency with visual effects) and hence discussion of "possible" theories in this article is extraneous to the factual data it should contain.

'''' it would be better to add dissenting information that supports your view.''''
The article's not a forum for discussion. If you're after half-baked rationalizations of sci-fi technology you watch lesser shows than BSG, the BSG wiki should be held to similar standards, in my opinion. - --[[User:Niles|Niles]] 19:04, 11 December 2006 (CST)

Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series

2006-11-13T12:19:36Z

Niles: /* Sublight propulsion */

:''For information on the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series']] modes of propulsion, see [[Propulsion (TOS)]].''

{{RDM science series}}
In the [[Re-imagined Series]], propulsion is managed from the fuel [[tylium]]. You can travel at [[Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series#Sublight propulsion|'''sublight speeds''']], or, if you're trying to escape (or chase) your enemies, the characters will travel by apparent '''faster-than-light''' (or '''"FTL"''') travel.

[[Image:FTL1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|FTL jump]]
==Faster than Light Travel==

''FTL'' is a acronym for '''F'''aster-'''T'''han-'''L'''ight. The term refers to a means of interstellar propulsion utilized by the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] and the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Colonials]]. A common shorthand term for FTL travel is '''"jumping"'''.

The FTL drive makes interstellar travel possible for both the Colonials and [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. No longer confined to their own home solar system, the Cylons managed to avoid Colonial interference for 40 years after the [[Cylon War]] and establish their own home-world. However, not all ships -- from small to large -- are outfitted with these drives ([[Miniseries]]).

It's likely that FTL drives are not commonplace on many civilian ships because of the costs involved in using and maintaining the drive and the amount of [[tylium|fuel]] available. For some civilian ships that travel comparatively short distances between some destinations, such as the ill-fated [[Botanical Cruiser]], FTL may simply be impractical or unnecessary.

The technology behind FTL systems is such that, providing the relevant data is known, ships can jump with a high degree of accuracy, allowing ships to rendezvous in space and even "park" in a synchronous orbit directly above a given point on a planet's surface ([[Miniseries]]). Proper FTL use even enables vessels to arrive in crowded areas, such as the middle of an asteroid field or other ships, without the risk of collision and damage ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).

No specific information on the technology of an FTL drive has been given in the Miniseries or regular series. We know only that ''Galactica'' has two FTL drives<ref>Dialogue from Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] to Lt. [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] instructs the tactical officer to "spin up FTL drives 1 and 2" in the [[Miniseries]].</ref>, and that other smaller or civilian ships have a single drive. We also know from dialogue that the FTL drives on ''Galactica'' are "spun up", suggesting the application of electromagnetic or rotational principles. Similarly it may be just a turn of phrase.

FTL jump drives can be used ''within'' an atmosphere. This Colonial tactic is used often to evade Cylon detection. While [[Raptor]]s primarily perform these kind of jumps, Admiral [[William Adama]] performs a daring intra-atmosphere jump at approximately 100,000 feet altitude with battlestar ''[[Galactica]]'' during the [[Battle of New Caprica]] to evade immediate Cylon detection. The battlestar jumps back to space a few hundred feet above the planet's surface after its Viper deployment. When ''Galactica'' jumps, the clouds surrounding it and the re-entry fires consuming its hull are "sucked" into the FTL jump with it. A sonic boom is also heard afterward ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

=== Colonial Limitations ===

* Colonial FTL systems are not small-scale, and cannot be installed into vehicles such as the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]. They can, however, be used on vehicles the size of a [[Raptor]], which is limited to brief, short-distance jumps. Raptors can make a sequence of short FTL "hops" in a row, to reach the same destination as a capital ship with a full-sized FTL drive ([[Miniseries]]).
* Colonial FTL systems cannot be used multiple times over a long period of time, for they are prone to breakdown after excessive, repetitive use ([[33]]).
* FTL jumps can apparently induce nausea or discomfort in some people, such as [[Cally]] ([[Miniseries]], [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).
* When "jumping" the Colonial drive systems are limited in size; this defines the maximum size to which a colonial vessel can be built (hence the need for [[Battlestar|battlestars]] to retract their landing pods and reduce their overall cross-section prior to a jump ([[Miniseries]], [[33]], etc.).
* Colonial FTL systems appear to be a holdover from the [[History of the Twelve Colonies#Exodus|Exodus]] from [[Kobol]], and their current designs have been developed to meet the needs of jumping between the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], and their outposts in other star systems. Colonial FTL capabilities have defined limits, referred to as the [[Red Line]], beyond which jumps may not be possible / could result in damage to a vessel's drive system / lead to navigational inaccuracies that might put the ship at risk.
* Navigators must be careful to plan FTL jump paths in order to keep a safe distance from planets or other large objects ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).

Knowing the limitations of their own FTL drives, a team apparently led by Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]] successfully refitted a [[Raptor]] with the navigational computer from a captured [[Heavy Raider]] (presumably the one used by [[Kara Thrace]] to return from Caprica in "[[Home, Part I]]"). They later use its improved jump plots (with the aid of the cooperative copy of [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]]) to coordinate a squadron of Raptors to fly back to Caprica for a rescue mission to retrieve a [[Caprica Resistance|team of resistance fighters there]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]). Despite the accuracy of the advanced Cylon FTL technology and Valerii's aid in marking the jumps, two Raptors do not complete the mission. One obtains corrupted jump data and finds itself within a nebula and a undiscovered [[New Caprica|habitable planet]], and is forced to return to the Fleet. The second Raptor also gets corrupted coordinates and materializes inside a nearby mountain on the final intra-atmosphere jump to Caprica, with the loss of ship and crew.

=== Cylon Advantages in FTL ===

* Cylon FTL systems can be manufactured on a smaller scale to their Colonial equivalent, thus allowing the [[Cylon Raider]] to be outfitted with an FTL drive. ([[Miniseries]]).
* Cylon FTL drive systems are far more efficient than their Colonial equivalent. Tests with the Raider captured by the [[Battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'' ([[You Can't Go Home Again]]) demonstrated that the drive could enable the Raider to jump directly from the vicinity of [[Kobol]] back to [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]) - a jump completed by Lieutenant [[Kara Thrace]] during her search for the [[Arrow of Apollo]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]).
* That superiority however does not stem directly from the FTL drives, but mainly from the superior Cylon navigation system, resulting in more accurate jump calculations. Colonial vessels interfaced with a Cylon computer can increase their jump range by a factor greater than ten ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).

Given that the Cylons left Colonial space to find their own planet, it is possible that their longer-range FTL capability was created in response to a desire to be able to cover the distance between their homeworld and those of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] with a single jump.

==Sublight propulsion==

In the Re-imagined Series, all ships have some manner of sublight flight ability. Sublight propulsion is convenient for intra-solar system travel (such as to or from the planets that comprise the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]]), but cannot be used for travel outside of a solar system as the time to arrive at a destination may exceed the fuel supply of the ship or the lifetime of the crew that fly the ship.

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Terminology]]

Talk:Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series/Archive 1

2006-11-13T12:07:36Z

Niles: /* My recent edit */

Template:RDM science series

2006-11-12T17:19:13Z

Niles: My mistake

{| class="infobox" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| <small>An article from</small><br /><div style="font-size: 105%">'''[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]'''</div>
|-
| style="font-size:11px; text-align:left" |
*[[Gravity in the Re-imagined Series|Artificial gravity]]
*[[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|Computer technology]]
*[[Substances in the Re-imagined Series|Elements and substances]]
*[[Life sciences in the Re-imagined Series|Life sciences]]
*[[Naturalistic science fiction]]
*[[Navigation in the Re-imagined Series|Navigation]]
*[[Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series|Propulsion]]
|-
| align="right" | {{navbar|RDM science series|type=mini}}
|}

<noinclude>[[Category:Series Templates|{{PAGENAME}}]]</noinclude>

Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series

2006-11-12T17:16:07Z

Niles: /* Faster than Light Travel */ Forces, not energies, and it's no misnomer. See discussion.

:''For information on the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series']] modes of propulsion, see [[Propulsion (TOS)]].''

{{RDM science series}}
In the [[Re-imagined Series]], propulsion is managed from the fuel [[tylium]]. You can travel at [[Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series#Sublight propulsion|'''sublight speeds''']], or, if you're trying to escape (or chase) your enemies, the characters will travel by apparent '''faster-than-light''' (or '''"FTL"''') travel.

[[Image:FTL1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|FTL jump]]
==Faster than Light Travel==

''FTL'' is a acronym for '''F'''aster-'''T'''han-'''L'''ight. The term refers to a means of interstellar propulsion utilized by the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] and the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Colonials]]. A common shorthand term for FTL travel is '''"jumping"'''.

The FTL drive makes interstellar travel possible for both the Colonials and [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. No longer confined to their own home solar system, the Cylons managed to avoid Colonial interference for 40 years after the [[Cylon War]] and establish their own home-world. However, not all ships -- from small to large -- are outfitted with these drives ([[Miniseries]]).

It's likely that FTL drives are not commonplace on many civilian ships because of the costs involved in using and maintaining the drive and the amount of [[tylium|fuel]] available. For some civilian ships that travel comparatively short distances between some destinations, such as the ill-fated [[Botanical Cruiser]], FTL may simply be impractical or unnecessary.

The technology behind FTL systems is such that, providing the relevant data is known, ships can jump with a high degree of accuracy, allowing ships to rendezvous in space and even "park" in a synchronous orbit directly above a given point on a planet's surface ([[Miniseries]]). Proper FTL use even enables vessels to arrive in crowded areas, such as the middle of an asteroid field or other ships, without the risk of collision and damage ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).

No specific information on the technology of an FTL drive has been given in the Miniseries or regular series. We know only that ''Galactica'' has two FTL drives<ref>Dialogue from Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] to Lt. [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] instructs the tactical officer to "spin up FTL drives 1 and 2" in the [[Miniseries]].</ref>, and that other smaller or civilian ships have a single drive. We also know from dialogue that the FTL drives on ''Galactica'' are "spun up", suggesting the application of electromagnetic or rotational principles. Similarly it may be just a turn of phrase.

FTL jump drives can be used ''within'' an atmosphere. This Colonial tactic is used often to evade Cylon detection. While [[Raptor]]s primarily perform these kind of jumps, Admiral [[William Adama]] performs a daring intra-atmosphere jump at approximately 100,000 feet altitude with battlestar ''[[Galactica]]'' during the [[Battle of New Caprica]] to evade immediate Cylon detection. The battlestar jumps back to space a few hundred feet above the planet's surface after its Viper deployment. When ''Galactica'' jumps, the clouds surrounding it and the re-entry fires consuming its hull are "sucked" into the FTL jump with it. A sonic boom is also heard afterward ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

=== Colonial Limitations ===

* Colonial FTL systems are not small-scale, and cannot be installed into vehicles such as the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]. They can, however, be used on vehicles the size of a [[Raptor]], which is limited to brief, short-distance jumps. Raptors can make a sequence of short FTL "hops" in a row, to reach the same destination as a capital ship with a full-sized FTL drive ([[Miniseries]]).
* Colonial FTL systems cannot be used multiple times over a long period of time, for they are prone to breakdown after excessive, repetitive use ([[33]]).
* FTL jumps can apparently induce nausea or discomfort in some people, such as [[Cally]] ([[Miniseries]], [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).
* When "jumping" the Colonial drive systems are limited in size; this defines the maximum size to which a colonial vessel can be built (hence the need for [[Battlestar|battlestars]] to retract their landing pods and reduce their overall cross-section prior to a jump ([[Miniseries]], [[33]], etc.).
* Colonial FTL systems appear to be a holdover from the [[History of the Twelve Colonies#Exodus|Exodus]] from [[Kobol]], and their current designs have been developed to meet the needs of jumping between the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], and their outposts in other star systems. Colonial FTL capabilities have defined limits, referred to as the [[Red Line]], beyond which jumps may not be possible / could result in damage to a vessel's drive system / lead to navigational inaccuracies that might put the ship at risk.
* Navigators must be careful to plan FTL jump paths in order to keep a safe distance from planets or other large objects ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).

Knowing the limitations of their own FTL drives, a team apparently led by Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]] successfully refitted a [[Raptor]] with the navigational computer from a captured [[Heavy Raider]] (presumably the one used by [[Kara Thrace]] to return from Caprica in "[[Home, Part I]]"). They later use its improved jump plots (with the aid of the cooperative copy of [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]]) to coordinate a squadron of Raptors to fly back to Caprica for a rescue mission to retrieve a [[Caprica Resistance|team of resistance fighters there]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]). Despite the accuracy of the advanced Cylon FTL technology and Valerii's aid in marking the jumps, two Raptors do not complete the mission. One obtains corrupted jump data and finds itself within a nebula and a undiscovered [[New Caprica|habitable planet]], and is forced to return to the Fleet. The second Raptor also gets corrupted coordinates and materializes inside a nearby mountain on the final intra-atmosphere jump to Caprica, with the loss of ship and crew.

=== Cylon Advantages in FTL ===

* Cylon FTL systems can be manufactured on a smaller scale to their Colonial equivalent, thus allowing the [[Cylon Raider]] to be outfitted with an FTL drive. ([[Miniseries]]).
* Cylon FTL drive systems are far more efficient than their Colonial equivalent. Tests with the Raider captured by the [[Battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'' ([[You Can't Go Home Again]]) demonstrated that the drive could enable the Raider to jump directly from the vicinity of [[Kobol]] back to [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]) - a jump completed by Lieutenant [[Kara Thrace]] during her search for the [[Arrow of Apollo]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]).
* That superiority however does not stem directly from the FTL drives, but mainly from the superior Cylon navigation system, resulting in more accurate jump calculations. Colonial vessels interfaced with a Cylon computer can increase their jump range by a factor greater than ten ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).

Given that the Cylons left Colonial space to find their own planet, it is possible that their longer-range FTL capability was created in response to a desire to be able to cover the distance between their homeworld and those of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] with a single jump.

==Sublight propulsion==

In the Re-imagined Series, all ships have some manner of sublight flight ability. Sublight propulsion is convenient for intra-solar system travel (such as to or from the planets that comprise the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]]), but cannot be used for travel outside of a solar system as the time to arrive at a destination may exceed the fuel supply of the ship or the lifetime of the crew that fly the ship.

Spacecraft with sublight flight ability are typically small military vehicles or civilian ships, such the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] fighter craft or the [[Botanical Cruiser]] ([[Miniseries]]).

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Terminology]]

Talk:Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series/Archive 1

2006-11-12T17:11:32Z

Niles: /* My recent edit */

Template:RDM science series

2006-11-12T17:03:46Z

Niles: See discussion

{| class="infobox" style="text-align:center;"
|-
| <small>An article from</small><br /><div style="font-size: 105%">'''[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]'''</div>
|-
| style="font-size:11px; text-align:left" |
*[[Gravity in the Re-imagined Series|Artificial gravity]]
*[[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|Computer technology]]
*[[Substances in the Re-imagined Series|Elements and substances]]
*[[Life sciences in the Re-imagined Series|Life sciences]]
*[[Naturalistic science fiction]]
*[[Navigation in the Re-imagined Series|Navigation]]
|-
| align="right" | {{navbar|RDM science series|type=mini}}
|}

<noinclude>[[Category:Series Templates|{{PAGENAME}}]]</noinclude>

Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series

2006-11-12T17:01:04Z

Niles: /* Background to FTL in the Re-imagined Series */

:''For information on the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series']] modes of propulsion, see [[Propulsion (TOS)]].''

{{RDM science series}}
In the [[Re-imagined Series]], propulsion is managed from the fuel [[tylium]]. You can travel at [[Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series#Sublight propulsion|'''sublight speeds''']], or, if you're trying to escape (or chase) your enemies, the characters will travel by apparent '''faster-than-light''' (or '''"FTL"''') travel.

[[Image:FTL1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|FTL jump]]
==Faster than Light Travel==

''FTL'' is a acronym for '''F'''aster-'''T'''han-'''L'''ight. The term, a [[Wikipedia:Misnomer|misnomer]], refers to a means of astral propulsion utilized by the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] and the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Colonials]]. A common shorthand term for FTL travel is '''"jumping"'''.

The FTL drive makes interstellar travel possible for both the Colonials and [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. No longer confined to their own home solar system, the Cylons managed to avoid Colonial interference for 40 years after the [[Cylon War]] and establish their own home-world. However, not all ships -- from small to large -- are outfitted with these drives ([[Miniseries]]).

It's likely that FTL drives are not commonplace on many civilian ships because of the costs involved in using and maintaining the drive and the amount of [[tylium|fuel]] available. For some civilian ships that travel comparatively short distances between some destinations, such as the ill-fated [[Botanical Cruiser]], FTL may simply be impractical or unnecessary.

The technology behind FTL systems is such that, providing the relevant data is known, ships can jump with a high degree of accuracy, allowing ships to rendezvous in space and even "park" in a synchronous orbit directly above a given point on a planet's surface ([[Miniseries]]). Proper FTL use even enables vessels to arrive in crowded areas, such as the middle of an asteroid field or other ships, without the risk of collision and damage ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).

No specific information on the technology of an FTL drive has been given in the Miniseries or regular series. We know only that ''Galactica'' has two FTL drives<ref>Dialogue from Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] to Lt. [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] instructs the tactical officer to "spin up FTL drives 1 and 2" in the [[Miniseries]].</ref>, and that other smaller or civilian ships have a single drive. We also know from dialogue that the FTL drives on ''Galactica'' are "spun up", suggesting a use of electromagnetic or centripetal energies that may serve in creating the fields or forces needed to activate the engines.

FTL jump drives can be used ''within'' an atmosphere. These are known as ''intra-atmospheric jumps''. This Colonial tactic is used often to evade Cylon detection. While [[Raptor]]s primarily perform these kind of jumps, Admiral [[William Adama]] performs a daring intra-atmosphere jump at approximately 100,000 feet altitude with battlestar ''[[Galactica]]'' during the [[Battle of New Caprica]] to evade immediate Cylon detection. The battlestar jumps back to space a few hundred feet above the planet's surface after its Viper deployment. When ''Galactica'' jumps, the clouds surrounding it and the re-entry fires consuming its hull are "sucked" into the FTL jump with it. A sonic boom is also heard afterward ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

=== Colonial Limitations ===

* Colonial FTL systems are not small-scale, and cannot be installed into vehicles such as the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]. They can, however, be used on vehicles the size of a [[Raptor]], which is limited to brief, short-distance jumps. Raptors can make a sequence of short FTL "hops" in a row, to reach the same destination as a capital ship with a full-sized FTL drive ([[Miniseries]]).
* Colonial FTL systems cannot be used multiple times over a long period of time, for they are prone to breakdown after excessive, repetitive use ([[33]]).
* FTL jumps can apparently induce nausea or discomfort in some people, such as [[Cally]] ([[Miniseries]], [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).
* When "jumping" the Colonial drive systems are limited in size; this defines the maximum size to which a colonial vessel can be built (hence the need for [[Battlestar|battlestars]] to retract their landing pods and reduce their overall cross-section prior to a jump ([[Miniseries]], [[33]], etc.).
* Colonial FTL systems appear to be a holdover from the [[History of the Twelve Colonies#Exodus|Exodus]] from [[Kobol]], and their current designs have been developed to meet the needs of jumping between the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], and their outposts in other star systems. Colonial FTL capabilities have defined limits, referred to as the [[Red Line]], beyond which jumps may not be possible / could result in damage to a vessel's drive system / lead to navigational inaccuracies that might put the ship at risk.
* Navigators must be careful to plan FTL jump paths in order to keep a safe distance from planets or other large objects ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).

Knowing the limitations of their own FTL drives, a team apparently led by Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]] successfully refitted a [[Raptor]] with the navigational computer from a captured [[Heavy Raider]] (presumably the one used by [[Kara Thrace]] to return from Caprica in "[[Home, Part I]]"). They later use its improved jump plots (with the aid of the cooperative copy of [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]]) to coordinate a squadron of Raptors to fly back to Caprica for a rescue mission to retrieve a [[Caprica Resistance|team of resistance fighters there]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]). Despite the accuracy of the advanced Cylon FTL technology and Valerii's aid in marking the jumps, two Raptors do not complete the mission. One obtains corrupted jump data and finds itself within a nebula and a undiscovered [[New Caprica|habitable planet]], and is forced to return to the Fleet. The second Raptor also gets corrupted coordinates and materializes inside a nearby mountain on the final intra-atmosphere jump to Caprica, with the loss of ship and crew.

=== Cylon Advantages in FTL ===

* Cylon FTL systems can be manufactured on a smaller scale to their Colonial equivalent, thus allowing the [[Cylon Raider]] to be outfitted with an FTL drive. ([[Miniseries]]).
* Cylon FTL drive systems are far more efficient than their Colonial equivalent. Tests with the Raider captured by the [[Battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'' ([[You Can't Go Home Again]]) demonstrated that the drive could enable the Raider to jump directly from the vicinity of [[Kobol]] back to [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]) - a jump completed by Lieutenant [[Kara Thrace]] during her search for the [[Arrow of Apollo]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]).
* That superiority however does not stem directly from the FTL drives, but mainly from the superior Cylon navigation system, resulting in more accurate jump calculations. Colonial vessels interfaced with a Cylon computer can increase their jump range by a factor greater than ten ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).

Given that the Cylons left Colonial space to find their own planet, it is possible that their longer-range FTL capability was created in response to a desire to be able to cover the distance between their homeworld and those of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] with a single jump.

==Sublight propulsion==

In the Re-imagined Series, all ships have some manner of sublight flight ability. Sublight propulsion is convenient for intra-solar system travel (such as to or from the planets that comprise the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]]), but cannot be used for travel outside of a solar system as the time to arrive at a destination may exceed the fuel supply of the ship or the lifetime of the crew that fly the ship.

Spacecraft with sublight flight ability are typically small military vehicles or civilian ships, such the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] fighter craft or the [[Botanical Cruiser]] ([[Miniseries]]).

==References==
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Talk:Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series/Archive 1

2006-11-12T17:00:25Z

Niles: /* capitalization of "jump" */