Superluminal Theory
Superluminal travel is the cornerstone technology of interstellar civilization that enables the ability to travel between star systems. The theory is based on the well-established Alcubierre principle that sneakily breaks free of the stonewalled speed limits of the universe as determined by the special and general theories of relativity. By creating opposing regions of expanding and contracting spacetime, a pocket of space can be displaced at speeds that exceed the light barrier. Do this around a starship and you have superluminal capabilities.
Travel at Superluminal Speeds and Interstellar Navigation
Ships cannot be steered during SL jumps and there’s plenty of stuff that can get in the way. This may appear as a deal breaker, since no one wants to hit something at 65 000 times the speed of light. In reality, as the space is warping around the vessel as it travels, it simply ‘squeezes’ between everything. In our frame of reference within normal spacetime, one does not notice this at all since the squeezing is all happening with respect to the dimensions of one’s space. Not everything in the universe is happy with this arrangement, however. This includes the humble singularity, naturally an entity that all SL routes are designed to avoid at all costs. Singularities do, however, play a critical role in interstellar navigation and form natural beacons by which interstellar SL star maps are referenced. Other no-go regions of space include ones filled with exotic particles or powerful space-time curvature disturbances that can interfere or collapse the ship’s superluminal fields.
Neostyrinium
The critical energy source powering all superluminal travel is a special form of unobtanium called Neostyrinium. On the periodic table of elements, circa 2425, this is element number 121: Ns. (Mm. 798). This is an extremely heavy neutron rich element, believed to have been created during the formation of a rare class of neutron star during the expulsion of its protons under gravitational collapse just before neutron degeneracy pressure kicks in. Unlike neutronium, which is composed purely of super-compacted neutrons that are extremely volatile, Neostyrinium is a precursor that still possesses a few protons. It is an extremely rare and near impossible form of matter, having just the right lattice configuration in its sub-atomic structure to keep the neutrons from flying apart as it leaves the intense gravity of its progenitor neutron star. It possesses the highest energy densities in the known galaxy and is a fundamental compound forming the backbone of the interstellar energy market.
Neostyrinium was first discovered by humans in the standard year of 2182 within the inner reaches of the Kuiper Belt. The discovery was a landmark moment that paved the way for the development of superluminal technology, an achievement that ultimately led mankind to becoming the dominant race within the galaxy. The early years of research, however, were fraught with disaster as many scientists lost their lives given the highly volatile nature of the element. The most notable was the Saturn Station Seven incident, a catastrophic event that saw a full load of Neostyrinium go critical and create an explosion so intense it briefly outshone the sun in Earth’s daytime sky. The incident completely vaporized the entire space station and it’s 400 plus strong complement of researchers and other personnel. Despite this, research was at an advanced stage, and shortly after, the first superluminal engine was successfully tested.
Neostyrinium Fission-Fusion Reactors and Superluminal Nacelles
Neostyrinium reactors are a type of fission-fusion device. Given Neostyrinium’s extraordinary molar mass, it first needs to be fissioned to release its energy in the form of neutrons. These are then quickly fused to form a superheated ‘neutronium plasma’, a temporary state that contains the particles as it is piped through shielded plasma manifolds into the enormous superluminal nacelles surrounding the SL vessels. These nacelles are a form of particle accelerator in the shape of a ring that encircles the entire ship. Each ship has two nacelles of opposing polarities, one forward creating negative space-time, and one aft, creating positive spacetime.
Superluminal (SL) Star Carriers
Given the enormous scale of the machinery and energy requirement for superluminal travel, the ships that travel faster than light are, by extension, gargantuanly big. The phenomenal cost of operating such ships led to the common form of the Superluminal Star Carrier, a mostly empty vessel inside which numerous smaller vessels will dock to be carried to adjacent star systems. Like large empty soda cans 800 meters in length that are capable of travelling at speeds of 5 light years per hour (~65 000 times the speed of light), their bewilderingly uninteresting appearance could easily place them as the most boring starships in science fiction. Apart from the most common ‘Civilian Ferry’ type carriers, there are also UniSys Naval SL carriers and ones operated by mining giants such as SCR to move equipment and extracted resources around. There are also carriers used for research and exploration, designed to operate over vast distances either autonomously or manned and geared primarily for science.
Superluminal Carrier Lines
Carriers operate along ‘Carrier Lines’, like railroads running between systems. Several carrier lines run in loops across multiple member systems within the constellation, all converging on the administrative capital of the United Systems: Stelerean Prime. Lines servicing more economically important systems have services running multiple times per day, while others (especially to outlying systems) have services once every few days or weeks.