Faster Than Light
Specifically in reference to Faster Than Light Propulsion, this article focuses on how the FTL drives work and how speeds are determined. Under simplest terms, a ship is able to travel faster than light by moving itself partially out of normal space.
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FTL Factor
FTL Factor determines how fast a ship is moving. This is a relative speed, as ships traveling at FTL never stop accelerating.
Gravitational Distortion Issue
Most FTL drives that keep the ship in normal space, such as Python and Slipstream drives, as subject to gravitational distortion. The gravity fields from stars and planets affect the drive field, and result in unpredictable bursts of acceleration. This precluded the use of FTL within most solar systems(though, jumps can be made from the outer solar system if there are no large planets in the way), and causes significant navigational concerns for FTL courses. Generally speaking, a course is plotted that does not pass near any intense gravitational fields.
FTL Drives
Python Reactor
The Python Reactor is the most widely used FTL design, employed by every major power.
Python Inverter
The Python Inverter is an ancestor to the Python Reactor. It was never actually called a python inverter during it's operation, the name has been applied retroactively.
Slipstream Drive
The Slipstream Drive is another type of FTL drive. Its principles are not much different from Python reactor technology, but the implementation is radically different. Slipstream drives are favored by the M'KHaren's.
Shoten Jump
Shoten Jump drive allows for instantaneous transport, but has energy requirements that cannot be met by most ships. Should not be confused with an FTL jump-drive.
Hyper Drive
An unrelated type of FTL technology, the Hyper Drive shares nothing in common with python reactors. Though used by the Foundation at one time, hyper drive technology is not widely employed. It is considered both more complicated and more dangerous than python reactor technology; and while the drive systems themselves are much smaller, Python reactors are considered the more desirable technology. Hyper drives should not be confused with hyperspace or hyperspace window generators.
Hyperspace
The Hyperspace window generator invented by the Satyarans allows access to hyperspace.