Hyperdrive

Hyperdrives are devices which allow vessels to travel at speeds far greater than the speed of light.

Hyperdrives are measured with an inverse scaling system - the lower the rating, the faster the unit. Most heavy commercial craft, for example, carry a relatively slow Class 3 hyperdrive, while light commercial and civilian craft generally have a faster Class 2 rating. Military vessels normally have a Class 1 rating, and some exceptional ships have even higher ratings, such as 0.75 and 0.5. High-rated ships can, in principle, cross the entire SW galaxy in only a few days, or possibly even hours.

Once a hyperdrive jump has been initiated, course cannot be changed while in transit. This may be due to some property of the system, or the fact that sensors cannot take in navigational information while moving at FTL speeds.

Two major theories exist to explain how hyperdrive works. The more commonly accepted is that hyperdrives send a vessel into the dimension of hyperspace. This is supported by the existence of a hyperspatial 'barrier' surrounding the SW galaxy, which has only a few breaches which can be exited through via hyperdrive.

The other is that vessels use the FTL substance known as hypermatter to tachyonically 'shift' the matter within the vessel, allowing it to travel at FTL speeds in realspace. This theory holds that 'hyperspace' is merely a slang term for the way normal space looks during FTL travel.

There is also some confusion on the effect of the gravity wells of celestial bodies on vessels in hyperspace. Some sources suggest that gravity, in being active in both our dimensions and hyperspace, will actively pull vessels out of hyperspace if they enter the gravity well of a star or planet. Further, there are suggestions that 'hyperspace sustainers' are required in order to overcome this effect, and that making unaided jumps from within a gravity well is risky at best.

Other sources suggest that dropping out of hyperspace is simply a safety feature built into the hyperdrive, to prevent the vessel from crashing into the planet or star's hyperspace 'shadow.'

Hyperdrives use Tibanna gas as a supercoolant, and run off of energy from a ship's normal power generators. Many short-range craft, such as system patrol vessels and low-endurance fighters, lack hyperdrives. In contrast, any vessel intended for rapid interstellar travel relies on a hyperdrive.

Record 816 - technology - Last update 18 Nov 2007, 08:28:37

Entry written by: Torvus

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