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DRADIS: Difference between revisions

From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
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Conventionizing and concising.
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[[Image:Dradisscreen.jpg|thumb|A typical DRADIS read-out]]
[[Image:Dradisscreen.jpg|thumb|A typical DRADIS read-out]]
DRADIS ('''D'''irection, '''RA'''nge, and '''DIS'''tance) is a detection, identification and tracking system, somewhat similar to [[Wikipedia:Radar|radar]], used aboard [[Colonial Fleet]] spacecraft.   
'''DRADIS''' ('''D'''irection, '''RA'''nge, and '''DIS'''tance)<ref>"DRADIS" is an unfortunate acronym, since "range" and "distance" are redundant with each other.</ref> is a highly sensitive detection, identification, navigation and tracking system, somewhat similar to [[Wikipedia:Radar|radar]]<ref>In "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", some viewers believed that [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] said, "The decoy ships will jump into the enemy star system at extreme ''radar'' range from the Cylon asteroid." The use of "radar" would be a [[Continuity errors (RDM)|continuity error]] as official sources confirmed that "radar" does not exist in the Re-imagined Series.  Others believed that actress [[Katee Sackhoff]] said "extreme ''Raider'' range", the range of the Raiders from the Cylon base, and the word was slurred so that it sounded vaguely like "radar".  The matter was put to rest when Battlestar Wiki [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques#"Radar" gaffe in "The Hand of God"|asked]] the writer of this episode, [[Bradley Thompson]], who confirmed that the line in the script was "...extreme ''Viper''  range...". The final line must have been looped in during post-production without his input (probably to keep from spoiling the plot). Thompson confirmed that the final line sounded like "Raider".</ref>, used aboard Colonial spacecraft.   


DRADIS can be used in stationary configurations as well on ships. A group of [[Centurion]]s were able to jury-rig a DRADIS assembly from their [[Heavy Raider]] into a stationary DRADIS tracking array in an attempt to shoot down a [[SAR]] mission from ''[[Galactica]]'' ([[Fragged]]).
DRADIS can be used in stationary configurations as well on ships. A group of [[Cylon Centurion]]s are able to jury-rig a DRADIS assembly from their [[Heavy Raider]] into a stationary DRADIS tracking array in an attempt to eliminate any [[SAR]] missions from ''[[Galactica]]'' ([[Fragged]]).


Carbon composites are largely invisible to DRADIS scans ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).
Carbon composites are largely invisible to DRADIS scans ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).


A ''DRADIS contact'' is an object or objects detected by the DRADIS sensor system.  Contacts are typically identified by cross-referencing with an [[IFF]] system (in the case of ships) or an astronomical database (in the instance of planets or other celestial bodies).  
A ''DRADIS contact'' is an object or objects detected by DRADIS.  Contacts are typically identified by cross-referencing with an [[IFF]] system (in the case of ships) or an astronomical database (in the instance of planets or other celestial bodies).  


The symbols used on Colonial DRADIS displays for the representation of [[battlestar (RDM)|battlestars]], [[Raptor|Raptors]], and [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] are visible in the picture to the right.
The symbols used on Colonial DRADIS displays for the representation of [[battlestar (RDM)|battlestars]], [[Raptor|Raptors]], and [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] are visible in the picture to the right.
[[Image:Dradissymbol pegasus.JPG|thumb|DRADIS symbology for various Colonial Fleet units ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]])]]
[[Image:Dradissymbol pegasus.JPG|thumb|DRADIS symbology for various Colonial Fleet units ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]])]]


[[Image:radalm_217_1080i.jpg|thumb|DRADIS Warning of Radiological Alarm ([[The Captain's Hand]])]] DRADIS is also used to report [[Radiological Alarm]]s as well as timer countdowns. [[Image:Dradiscountdown_101_1080i.jpg|thumb|DRADIS countdown ([[33]])]]
[[Image:radalm_217_1080i.jpg|thumb|DRADIS warning of radiological materials ([[The Captain's Hand]])]] DRADIS is also used to report [[radiological alarm]]s. [[Image:Dradiscountdown_101_1080i.jpg|thumb|DRADIS countdown ([[33]])]]


DRADIS is likely a central component of the [[Computers|Navigation computer]] on ''Galactica''.
DRADIS is likely a central component of the [[Computers|navigation computer]] on Colonial ships such as battlestars, as they do not navigate in [[sublight]] mode by visual means. ''Galactica's'' DRADIS, tactical and navigation data are displayed on a series of screens that form the [[Dradis console|DRADIS console]], suspended above the [[CIC]]'s Command and Control console.


== Notes ==
== Sourcing of the term ==


*"DRADIS" is an unfortunate acronym, since "range" and "distance" are redundant with each other.
The "'''D'''irection, '''RA'''nge, and '''DIS'''tance" breakdown of the acronym "DRADIS" was listed in an [http://www.twiztv.com/scripts/battlestar/season1/galactica-ms1.pdf early manuscript] (PDF) of the first half of the [[Miniseries]]. Since some major elements of this script were changed (such as Kobol being the sole home of the Colonies, and not separate worlds) in comparison to the completed teleplay, canonical use of this breakdown should be taken with some skepticism.


:The "'''D'''irection, '''RA'''nge, and '''DIS'''tance" breakdown of the acronym "DRADIS" was listed in an [http://www.twiztv.com/scripts/battlestar/season1/galactica-ms1.pdf early manuscript] (PDF) of the first half of the [[Miniseries]]. Since some major elements of this script were changed (such as Kobol being the sole home of the Colonies, and not separate worlds) in comparison to the completed teleplay, canonical use of this breakdown should be taken with some skepticism.
There is some evidence to suggest that the original breakdown is the canonical version. In "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]," [[Crashdown]] performs a DRADIS sweep of [[Kobol]]. The aerial survey is later presented to the [[Laura Roslin|President]]. For a brief moment, as Roslin takes the survey image out of [[Billy Keikeya]]'s hand, you can see the DRADIS information printed on the image. The letters on the image are clear and are as follows:
 
:However, there still is some evidence to suggest that the original breakdown is the canon version. In "Kobol's Last Gleaming Pt. 1" Crashdown performs a DRADIS sweep of Kobol. That aerial survey is then presented to the President. For a brief moment as she is just taking the survey image out of Billy's hand you can see the DRADIS information printed on the image. The letters on the image are clear and are as follows:


:Aerial Survey
:Aerial Survey
D. 41376
:'''D.''' 41376
Ra. 145.8
:'''Ra.''' 145.8
Dis. 43.5
:'''Dis.''' 43.5
 
:The numbers may not be accurate or complete as we cannot see much further to the right of the image. However, given that the letters do represent numerical values, most fan-suggested alternatives for the breakdown of DRADIS would seem to be unlikely. While this is not conclusive evidence, it is consistent with the orignal manuscript definition.


*The [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] counterpart to DRADIS was simply referred to as the [[Scanner]].
The letters represent numerical values. While this is not conclusive evidence, it is consistent with the orignal manuscript definition.


*In "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", some fans believe that Starbuck said "The decoy ships will jump into the enemy star system at extreme ''radar'' range from the Cylon asteroid", which would be a continuity error.  Others believed that actress Katee Sackhoff said "extreme ''Raider'' range", the range of the Raiders from the Cylon base, and that she just slurred the word "Raider" slightly so it sounded vaguely like "radar".  The matter was put to rest when ''BattlestarWiki'' [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques#"Radar" gaffe in "The Hand of God"|asked]] the writer of this episode, [[Bradley Thompson]], and he said that the line in the script was "...extreme Viper range..."; the final line must have been looped in during post-production without his input (probably to keep from spoiling the plot) and he confirmed that the final line sounded like "Raider".  Also, he confirmed that "radar" does not exist on the series at all. 
==Notes==


== See Also ==
*The [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] counterpart to DRADIS was simply referred to as the [[scanner]].


* [[Dradis Console]]
==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>


[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:A to Z]]

Revision as of 12:44, 27 October 2006

The title of this page given above is incorrect, due to technical limitations. The correct title is DRADIS.


A typical DRADIS read-out

DRADIS (Direction, RAnge, and DIStance)[1] is a highly sensitive detection, identification, navigation and tracking system, somewhat similar to radar[2], used aboard Colonial spacecraft.

DRADIS can be used in stationary configurations as well on ships. A group of Cylon Centurions are able to jury-rig a DRADIS assembly from their Heavy Raider into a stationary DRADIS tracking array in an attempt to eliminate any SAR missions from Galactica (Fragged).

Carbon composites are largely invisible to DRADIS scans (Flight of the Phoenix).

A DRADIS contact is an object or objects detected by DRADIS. Contacts are typically identified by cross-referencing with an IFF system (in the case of ships) or an astronomical database (in the instance of planets or other celestial bodies).

The symbols used on Colonial DRADIS displays for the representation of battlestars, Raptors, and Vipers are visible in the picture to the right.

DRADIS symbology for various Colonial Fleet units (Pegasus)
DRADIS warning of radiological materials (The Captain's Hand)

DRADIS is also used to report radiological alarms.

File:Dradiscountdown 101 1080i.jpg
DRADIS countdown (33)

DRADIS is likely a central component of the navigation computer on Colonial ships such as battlestars, as they do not navigate in sublight mode by visual means. Galactica's DRADIS, tactical and navigation data are displayed on a series of screens that form the DRADIS console, suspended above the CIC's Command and Control console.

Sourcing of the term[edit]

The "Direction, RAnge, and DIStance" breakdown of the acronym "DRADIS" was listed in an early manuscript (PDF) of the first half of the Miniseries. Since some major elements of this script were changed (such as Kobol being the sole home of the Colonies, and not separate worlds) in comparison to the completed teleplay, canonical use of this breakdown should be taken with some skepticism.

There is some evidence to suggest that the original breakdown is the canonical version. In "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I," Crashdown performs a DRADIS sweep of Kobol. The aerial survey is later presented to the President. For a brief moment, as Roslin takes the survey image out of Billy Keikeya's hand, you can see the DRADIS information printed on the image. The letters on the image are clear and are as follows:

Aerial Survey
D. 41376
Ra. 145.8
Dis. 43.5

The letters represent numerical values. While this is not conclusive evidence, it is consistent with the orignal manuscript definition.

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. "DRADIS" is an unfortunate acronym, since "range" and "distance" are redundant with each other.
  2. In "The Hand of God", some viewers believed that Starbuck said, "The decoy ships will jump into the enemy star system at extreme radar range from the Cylon asteroid." The use of "radar" would be a continuity error as official sources confirmed that "radar" does not exist in the Re-imagined Series. Others believed that actress Katee Sackhoff said "extreme Raider range", the range of the Raiders from the Cylon base, and the word was slurred so that it sounded vaguely like "radar". The matter was put to rest when Battlestar Wiki asked the writer of this episode, Bradley Thompson, who confirmed that the line in the script was "...extreme Viper range...". The final line must have been looped in during post-production without his input (probably to keep from spoiling the plot). Thompson confirmed that the final line sounded like "Raider".