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:''For the propulsion counterparts in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]], see [[Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series]].''
{{disline|For the propulsion counterparts in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]], see [[Propulsion in the Re-imagined Series]].}}
 




In the [[Original Series]], the [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet]] moves seemingly only at ''sublight'' speeds. There are inferences to FTL use though, even if sporadic and uncertain.
In the [[Original Series]], the [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet]] moves seemingly only at ''sublight'' speeds. There are inferences to FTL use though, even if sporadic and uncertain.


''Lightspeed'' is the term for a Colonial [[Battlestar (TOS)|battlestar]] accelerating to the speed of light or faster. ''Galactica'' is one of the few ships in the rag-tag [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet]] that have lightspeed ability, so normally the battlestar moves no faster than the slowest ship in the Fleet during its exodus from the destroyed [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Twelve Colonies]] ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]).
''Lightspeed'' is the term for a Colonial [[Battlestar (TOS)|battlestar]] accelerating to the speed of light or faster. ''Galactica'' is one of the few ships in the rag-tag [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet]] that have lightspeed ability, so normally the battlestar moves no faster than the slowest ship in the Fleet during its exodus from the destroyed [[The Twelve Colonies of Man|Twelve Colonies]] {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}.


It is rarely mentioned, but beyond the following references, FTL is inferred several times in the original ''Battlestar Galatica''. Even just the mention of leaving star systems (possibly mentioned inaccurately as 'galaxies') and showing up in other star systems within short periods of time, lead one to suspect that some form of superluminal propulsion is employed.
It is rarely mentioned, but beyond the following references, FTL is implied several times in the original ''Battlestar Galactica''. Even just the mention of leaving star systems (possibly mentioned inaccurately as 'galaxies') and showing up in other star systems within short periods of time, lead one to suspect that some form of superluminal propulsion is employed.


* Commander [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] brings ''[[Pegasus (TOS)|Pegasus]]'' to lightspeed in order to outflank [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]]'s attack force, though Cain earlier commented that such a maneuver would result in using half of ''Pegasus'''s fuel ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]).
* Commander [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] brings ''{{TOS|Pegasus}}'' to lightspeed in order to outflank {{TOS|Baltar}}'s attack force, though Cain earlier commented that such a maneuver would result in using half of ''Pegasus'''s fuel {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}.


* Commander [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] orders Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]] to take ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'' to lightspeed, despite Tigh's objections that suggest that it had been some time since the battlestar was ordered to accelerate that fast ([[Experiment in Terra]]).
* Commander {{TOS|Adama}} orders Colonel {{TOS|Tigh}} to take ''{{TOS|Galactica}}'' to lightspeed, despite Tigh's objections that suggest that it had been some time since the battlestar was ordered to accelerate that fast {{OS|Experiment in Terra}}.


* [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]] and [[Lucifer]] have a conversation in which Lucifer states that the Cylons could easily catch up to the slowly moving rag-tag Fleet if they used lightspeed ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]).
* {{TOS|Baltar}} and [[Lucifer]] have a conversation in which Lucifer states that the Cylons could easily catch up to the slowly moving rag-tag Fleet if they used lightspeed {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}.


* Starbuck's Viper "[[Starchaser|Recon 1]]" could be inferred to be able attain this lightspeed as well, as it has to drop to sub-light when it detects a freighter and fighter ([[The Long Patrol]]).
* Starbuck's Viper "[[Starchaser|Recon 1]]" could be inferred to be able attain this lightspeed as well, as it has to drop to sub-light when it detects a freighter and fighter {{OS|The Long Patrol}}.


Other than these oblique references, there is nothing that would substantiate how the ships achieve this form of propulsion other than by just accelerating until they reach their top speed.
Other than these oblique references, there is nothing that would substantiate how the ships achieve this form of propulsion other than by just accelerating until they reach their top speed.




==Links==
== Observed Properties ==
 
Propulsion systems of spaceships in the Original Series exhibit a number of characteristics, including --


[http://www.tecr.com/galactica/engines/engines.htm Classic Battlestar Galactica tech manual, engine section.]
* Slow relative movement near planets or other spacecraft, in interplanetary space. The approximate distance between Colonial Vipers and Cylon Raiders in space battles can be estimated since the sizes of both are known. The range is typically a few tens of meters (<100 feet) and the relative velocities only ~100 meters/second (240 mph) or comparable to WW II fighter aircraft. Colonial Battlestars and Cylon Basestars also move slowly during space battles.


* Extremely rapid acceleration in deep space, or otherwise the Battlestars could never achieve near-lightspeed within a matter of minutes or hours in the episodes "[[The Living Legend, Part I]]" and "[[Experiment in Terra]]". This requires some sort of acceleration damping forcefield or else the crew would be crushed out of existence. A ship constantly accelerating at one Earth gravity (9.81 meters per second) would need more than a year to achieve light speed, clearly ruling out missions to other star system in next week's episode even when relativistic [[w:time dilation|time dilation]] is factored in.


==Notes==
== Novelizations ==


*While the Re-imagined Series attempts to ground its technology to plausible theories regarding [[FTL|apparent FTL]] travel, the Original Series is less scientific. The mechanism and theory of lightspeed travel in the Original Series is never explained.
{{separate continuity|universe=1980|type=line}}


*Given that the [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet]] and Vipers regularly visit other star systems and even a few [[Battle at Galaxy's Edge|references]] to flying to other galaxies, it's scientifically implausible that the Fleet only moves at sublight speeds. Even at a large fraction of the speed of light, traveling from one star system to another would take years or even decades. Flying to another galaxy is impossible within a human lifetime without severe time dilation due to relativity. Even the nearest galaxies are several hundred thousand light-years distant from the Milky Way.
In the ''[[Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)|Galactica Discovers Earth]]'' novelization, FTL technology is described as being driven by [[w:tachyon|tachyon]] particles.<ref>{{cite_book|last=Resnick|first=Michael|authorlink=Michael Resnick|authorlinkurl=|year=1981|title=[[Battlestar Galactica 5: Galactica Discovers Earth]]|publisher=Berkley Books|location=|id=|pages=89}}</ref>.


* ''Galactica's'' lightspeed ability may be a very fast means to reach superluminal top speeds at the cost of fuel effeciency. With that supposition and earlier ones, the Fleet may be able to go beyond the speed of light, but it may take them days at a very slow acceleration. Without the constraints of relativity, even just one gravity of acceleration would be able to overcome the speed of light in a short time.
== References ==


* From what can be gathered, the FTL technology employed appears to somehow negate the ever increasing mass due to reaching relativistic speeds, at least partially. This could then be related to somehow negating the mass of the ship or by at least keeping it constant.
{{reflist}}


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Latest revision as of 19:03, 10 January 2021



In the Original Series, the Fleet moves seemingly only at sublight speeds. There are inferences to FTL use though, even if sporadic and uncertain.

Lightspeed is the term for a Colonial battlestar accelerating to the speed of light or faster. Galactica is one of the few ships in the rag-tag Fleet that have lightspeed ability, so normally the battlestar moves no faster than the slowest ship in the Fleet during its exodus from the destroyed Twelve Colonies (TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I").

It is rarely mentioned, but beyond the following references, FTL is implied several times in the original Battlestar Galactica. Even just the mention of leaving star systems (possibly mentioned inaccurately as 'galaxies') and showing up in other star systems within short periods of time, lead one to suspect that some form of superluminal propulsion is employed.

  • Commander Adama orders Colonel Tigh to take Galactica to lightspeed, despite Tigh's objections that suggest that it had been some time since the battlestar was ordered to accelerate that fast (TOS: "Experiment in Terra").
  • Starbuck's Viper "Recon 1" could be inferred to be able attain this lightspeed as well, as it has to drop to sub-light when it detects a freighter and fighter (TOS: "The Long Patrol").

Other than these oblique references, there is nothing that would substantiate how the ships achieve this form of propulsion other than by just accelerating until they reach their top speed.


Observed Properties[edit]

Propulsion systems of spaceships in the Original Series exhibit a number of characteristics, including --

  • Slow relative movement near planets or other spacecraft, in interplanetary space. The approximate distance between Colonial Vipers and Cylon Raiders in space battles can be estimated since the sizes of both are known. The range is typically a few tens of meters (<100 feet) and the relative velocities only ~100 meters/second (240 mph) or comparable to WW II fighter aircraft. Colonial Battlestars and Cylon Basestars also move slowly during space battles.
  • Extremely rapid acceleration in deep space, or otherwise the Battlestars could never achieve near-lightspeed within a matter of minutes or hours in the episodes "The Living Legend, Part I" and "Experiment in Terra". This requires some sort of acceleration damping forcefield or else the crew would be crushed out of existence. A ship constantly accelerating at one Earth gravity (9.81 meters per second) would need more than a year to achieve light speed, clearly ruling out missions to other star system in next week's episode even when relativistic time dilation is factored in.

Novelizations[edit]

In the Galactica Discovers Earth novelization, FTL technology is described as being driven by tachyon particles.[1].

References[edit]