Thread: Technology
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Old April 25th, 2003, 08:13 PM   #2
LucianG
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Interesting post, repcisg. Theoretically, this would be used to travel between systems. As one moved further away from a star, the amount of energy required to achieve compression, based on the hypothesis, would decrease in comparison to what it would take in the system. Therefore, in the system, speed would be low in comparison to that possible between systems. Still, to reach, let's say, 'full' compression, or a speed exceeding that of light in normal space, it would still take a large amount of energy.

Quote:
A Colonial Viper, for example, would use a triangular structure while Cylon fighters would use a flat or box wave.
Due to the relatively small sizes of the Viper and the Raider, it would be difficult for them to carry enough energy to reach 'full' compression. Also, due to their use as fighters piloted by human and mechanical humanoid, it is unlikely that they could fulfill their primary mission at such high rates of speed anyway. Therefore, my supposition is that if the compression engine discussed was the primary engine of interstellar vessels, small vessels such as Vipers, Raiders, and shuttles would use a different engine system that would operate at sublight speeds. Continued acceleration, and the requisite use of fuel, could drive up the speed but never above light speed.

The original series presented two potential problems with sublight Vipers:

In the Nova of Madagon, the Warriors used Vipers to clear the minefield as they approached Carillon. Presumably, the fleet could have already slowed sublight speeds prior to this point since they were approaching a gravity well.

Apollo and Starbuck flew into the Void as they approached Kobol. Again, we don't know how far away they were away from the planet or how big the Void was, but it could be assumed that they were they were either approaching Kobol or the magnetic properties of the Void itself slowed the fleet to something less than light speed.
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