ANDROMEDA codex

[Inzjana]

Being a fan of ANDROMEDA...I decided to do a kind of Galactic Codex featuring all the technology, slang and other things mentioned in the show. This will be an on going project and I hope that you all enjoy it.

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INTERSTELLAR TRAVEL

"Slipstream...It's not the best way of travelling Faster-Than-Light, it's just the only way."

The Slipstream:[aka Slipstream Space] Is an extension of our reality, an aditional dimension(s) that exists congruently with the normal space-time continuum, where gravitational connections between bodies of mass are visible.
A starship travelling through the Slipstream harnesses the energies of these "chords" (aka "strings") for interstellar travel.
The chords between large bodies of mass such as planets, stars etcetera, appear as large glowing ropes called chords, which is what starships can harness.
The gravity connections between smaller bodies of mass; say between you and a nice hot cup of tea, appears more as cotton candy within the Slipstream.
Time and distance have no real meaning in the Slipstream. A good pilot to transit in the Slipstream within seconds or minutes, where a bad pilot could make the same journey within hours or days.

Due to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, there are "decision points" when travelling through the Slipstream, where two paths will appear and for reasons not well understood, even by Vedran scientists, the act of choosing makes the causality collapse and the path chosen the correct one. Which is why, only an organic pilot can navigate the Slipstream with a probability percentage of choosing the right path 99% success rate. Even the most sophisticated Artificial Intelligence Entity [AIE or just AI for short] will always only has a 50% rate of success. It should be noted that the more a slip-route is travelled, the easier the transit becomes.

Limits of Slipstream travel: Due to the complex nature of slipstream probability and difficulty in mapping slipstream, only biological entities are capable of successfully navigating it. Exiting slipstream near the edge of a galaxy or in certain regions of space could be dangerous because it is difficult to find a slippoint in these areas. If a slippoint cannot be found, or a slipstream drive is damaged, the ship is stranded and limited to slower than light speed. Formula for slipstream navigaton: i = 1 - (Omega^2/r^3).

Common vernaculars used for Slipstream Travel are: 'streaming and riding the rails. Where actual Slipstream transits are known as: slips, or jumps.

Slip-points: Are areas within a star system where gravitational forces and the orbital motion of a body of significant mass, balance each other out. This area of space-time, becomes "flat", making it easier for a transiting starship to open a portal and enter or exit the Slipstream. On old Earth, these slip-points were called LaGrange Points, named after the Italian-French mathematician; Joseph Louis LaGrange, who discovered this effect in 1772.

Slipstream-portals: [aka slip-portals] Are rifts in the space-time continuum that allow a ship to enter and exit the Slipstream.

MAIN STARSHIP COMPONENTS:

Slipstream Core: Is the main component of the Slipstream Drive, which generates the exotic matter and power required for Slipstream travel.

Exotic Matter Lens: Focuses the exotic matter to slip-points, which opens a portal for the ship to enter/exit the Slipstream.

Slip-runners: The external component of the Slipstream Drive that harnesses the gravitational energy of strings for transit, not unlike the sails of old Earth sailing ships.

ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY-Gravity Field Generators: A versatile technology, which harnesses exotic matter concentrations to alter and manipulate gravitational fields for various purposes. For example, in a spaceship, artificial gravity is used to reduce effective mass for thrust, to prevent items from being squashed by the ship's acceleration and to allow the crew to operate throughout the ship. Also, when artificial gravity is concentrated on an area outside of the ship (via an Exotic Matter Lens) away from a gravity source (like a planet or sun) it can be used to generate a rip in the fabric of space, allowing the ship to enter/exit the Slipstream (see Slipstream).

Magneto-Plasma Dynamic Drive: [MPDD] Highly charged hydrogen plasma particles, ejected into space by the use of electromagnetic coils, MPDD(s) are the main propulsion thrusters of all starships. Typically there are two types of MPDD(s); the thruster type and the more efficient, vent type.

Anti-Proton Reactors:[aka AP-Reactors, or AP-Converters] One of the most commonly used forms for the generation of electrical energy, AP-Converters collide anti-protons (negative protons) with hydrogen atoms. The collision causes the annihilation of the protons within hydrogen atoms, releasing the neutrons and the electrons. The "free" neutrons and electrons are collected by an electromagnetic field, with the electrons being used to generate power. The Andromeda Ascendant can refuel herself by flying into a stars corona, collecting the hydrogen. Half of the hydrogen fuel collected is used to create the anti-protons; which is much more stable and easier to store than actual antimatter. Antimatter consists of positrons (positive electrons), neutrons and anti-protons (negative protons) and is highly volatile and extremely unstable.

Note: Hydrogen is the simplest atom, with just one proton and one electron.

[Trekguy]

Cool. Just saw the new post. Intriguing, as Data would say. If only I had his-or your-scientific database...heh heh. Pray continue....

[Inzjana]

Originally Posted by Trekguy

Cool. Just saw the new post. Intriguing, as Data would say. If only I had his-or your-scientific database...heh heh. Pray continue....

Thanks Trekguy!

[Inzjana]

ANDROMEDA Codex - continued

MAIN STARSHIP COMPONENTS

Artificial Intelligence Entity [AIE]: "You ask why we give our ships' computers normal emotions. Do you really want a warship incapable of loyalty? Or of love?" -The Unshattered Allegiance, High Guard Frigate, Artificial Intelligence Rights Activist CY 7309 Is the core personality of a starship's computer. Once an AIE or simply AI reaches full sentience, it is given all the rights and privileges of any citizen of the Systems Commonwealth. There are typically three user-interface versions of any High Guard AIE; vidscreen representation, hologram representation and for the freedom of the AIE beyond it's ship board incarnation, the AIE is given and android avatar.

Virtual Reality Matrix [VR-Matrix]: Is a virtual holographic environment within a hub of the main computer core of all vessels. There are currently three methods of connecting oneself to the VR matrix: A goggle type headset; Optical EEG connections; and a data-port implant. The VR Matrix has many uses; talking mono-a-mono with the core personality of your ship. Connecting to other core personalities of ships within a flotilla. Interacting with comatose patients who have suffered a near fatal injury. Having direct brain to computer core interaction for diagnostic and repair, which is typically useful for engineers. You can even use the VR suite for games, simulations, or virtually anything involving computers you could think of.

Virtual Reality Chamber [VR chamber]: Similar in technology to the VR matrix suite, the VR chamber uses high resolution holograms to simulate any environment. This system is typically used for tactical simulations and Slipfighter training, but can also be used for entertainment. (Note: Unlike Star Trek, ANDROMEDA is more reality based when it comes to technology. The holograms projected within the VR chamber is made up of light and therefore cannot be interacted with, such as personal attachments. High Guard/Lancer vessels have to maintain strict standards and therefore the VR chambers are kept in perfect working condition.)

Nanotechnology: A widespread technology in the Known Worlds, nanotech is the creation and use of molecular machines. Virtually every appliance, building, and vehicle in the Commonwealth has nanotech components deployed for a variety of purposes. For example, when a High Guard ship needs replacement parts, small nano-machines can be used to assemble them molecule by molecule. More nano-machines continuously maintain and repair systems, minimizing failures and breakdowns. Still others defend against attacks by hostile nanomachines, which have a long history of use as weapons in modern warfare.
Commonwealth citizens even carry nano-machines inside their bodies, providing protection from disease and infection, as well as repairing and maintaining organs to keep them in top condition.

Fullerene Mesh: Fullerenes are any molecules comprised completely of carbon, typically Carbon 60, one of the purest forms of carbon. Fullerene mesh armour plating is made up of complex chains of Fullerene molecules. This makes the outer hull armour of starships much stronger than diamonds.(Note: Fullerenes are real world molecules).

Bucky-Cables: Are cabled grappling hooks which are "fired" from turrets. Bucky Cables and their grapples are constructed of buckyball Fullerenes, hence the name. Bucky Cables are starship released and self propelled and can easily pull a Glorious Heritage Class heavy cruiser like the Andromeda Ascendant.

Autochefs: Are food/drink production units which use nanobots to literally "construct" pre-programmed cuisine and beverages for personnel consumption. (Note: Think Replicators used in Star Trek. Unlike Star Trek though, this form of Replicator is well within the realms of possibility.) Autochefs are useful devices where storage of fresh produce is impractical or simply impossible to procure, especially when on long deep-space assignments.

SENSOR SYSTEMS

PAS-37Q System Search Sensor (Phased Array): An active EM search system that uses phased arrays of small sensor transceivers to create shapable swaths across any portion of the sky.

HSS-114D Hyper-Spectral Scanner (EO): A hyper-spectral scanner that measures target reflections across a continuous spectrum. Suspected camouflaged or obscured targets can be tested with an active EM sensor to improve accuracy in high-threat environments.

AIS-117M Advanced Imaging Sensor (Synthetic Aperture/Moving Target Indicator): A combined SA and MTI sensor package that can detect fixed and mobile targets, as well as fuse sensor tracks into a complete picture of the area of interest. The SA suite is also capable of interferometric image analysis, which allows the AI node to build a three-dimensional representation of visible surfaces to a one nanometer resolution at 24 light-seconds.

AIS-117I Advanced Imaging Sensor (Inverse Synthetic Aperture): An ISA system that is capable of long-range detections of relatively stationary targets in high-noise environments.

ES/A-9R Electronic Support and Attack Measure Suite: Detects active sensor and communications emissions from hostile assets, including ships and missiles. The EA component of the package can be used to jam both types of signals, and in some cases to overload the hostile transceiver and destroy it.

SUPPORT VEHICLES

Slipfighters: Are High Guard starfighters which are capable of Slipstream travel. There are two known types of Slipfighter; the RA-26 Shrike Strike Class and the RF-42 Centaur Tactical Assault Class. RA-26 Shrike Strike: The Shrike is a fearsome high-speed attack craft used to support medium to long range anti-starship strike operations. Although not as maneuverable as a tactical fighter, the true advantage of the Shrike is its ability to put steel on target while avoiding retribution from hostile assets. It also provides the Group Operational Commander with the flexibility to hit the enemy from a number of angles at a tempo of his/her own choosing. The Shrike is equipped with a single AP cannon and 3 ELS tubes which can fire up to 6 PM-6 Star Arrow smart missiles. Like the Centaur, it can be controlled either from the cockpit or remotely, though the Shrike requires both a pilot and a weapons officer in either mode. RF-42 Centaur: The Centaur is the premiere space superiority fighter in the Local Cluster. Designed to conduct high speed, fire-and-forget combat maneuvers, it is unmatched in its ability to engage multiple targets at short and medium distances. The primary mission of the Centaur is to provide combat patrol support for Heavy Cruiser and Atmospheric Attack Craft Carriers. It also flies tactical escort for strike fighters and conducts Suppression of Enemy Defense (SED) operations during interplanetary combat. These fighters are equipped with dual AP cannons and 2 ELS tubes which fire up to 6 OM-5 offensive and defensive kinetic kill missiles. The RF-42 can be piloted either from the cockpit or remotely from a Flight Operations Center.

Lancer Drop Pods: Are versatile single-person drop ships capable of limited Slipstream transit.

Slip-Pods: Are Emergency Escape Vehicles [EEV](AKA Escape Pods) which are capable of limited Slipstream transit.