Faster-Than-Light spacetravel - the theory


 One can not classify a race without faster-than-light engine technology as a space-faring one. Astronomical distances are far too great for any form of conventional travel. Interstellar spacecraft of StarFight VI resort to two separate faster-than-light technologies; dilithium subspace and interstellar hyperspace jump engines.

 Dilithium subspace engine technology allows very fast travel over relatively short, interplanetary distances. Essentially these engines only maintain a a subspace field around the vessel, bending structure of space-time continuum until theories of relativity concerning mass and energy become nonexistent. Speeds of 5-20 excess the speed of light are achievable via this technology. Manual steering of a starship running on dilithium subspace engines has been proven nearly impossible, and thus interplanetary travelers always let ship's autopilot perform the delicate navigation.

 Interstellar hyperspace jumping is completely different approach. Late 2119 scientists discovered a remarkable property in zero gravity points of space: in each point lies a subspace singularity. Due to near-infinite intensity of subspace when approaching a singularity, space near a singularity was named hyperspace. If a starship surrounded with an subspace field - powerful enough to combat the intensity of hyperspace - passes trough this kind of singularity, immediate displacement into another point in space occurs.

These jump points tie distant star systems into each other allowing distances of hundreds of light years to be traveled within a blink of an eye. Best of all, fuel consumption of hyperspace travel in constant, since engines are active only for the brief moment of passing the jump point.

 Unfortunately all currently know techniques for forming a subspace field call for usage of a very precious basic element, dilithium.


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