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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{era|GOO}} |
| The '''Slipspace communications (COM) launcher''',{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoO20|GoO|Chapter=20}} formally known as an '''ultraprecise Shaw-Fujikawa low-mass launcher''', is an experimental piece of technology invented by the [[United Nations Space Command]] that allows [[Slipstream space#Communications|faster-than-light communication]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoO11|GoO|Chapter=11}} | | {{ratings}} |
| | The '''Slipspace Communications (COM) Launcher''' is an experimental piece of technology invented by the [[UNSC]] and is the only technology that enables faster than light [[Slipstream Space#Communications|communications]] except for the [[Forerunner]] technology that synchronizes the [[Halo Array|Halo]] firing sequence. |
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| As of [[2551|February 20th, 2551]], it was the only form of superluminal communications technology used by [[human]]s, excluding messages carried aboard [[courier]] starships. However, by [[2552#July|July 2552]], the UNSC had apparently developed a more effective form of superluminal communication system which enabled interstellar communications in real-time.{{Ref/Note|In ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' Chapter 16, [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Keyes]] contacts [[Hieronymus Michael Stanforth|Admiral Stanforth]] from the [[Sigma Octanus system]] on a FLEETCOM priority channel and they have a real-time exchange. Stanforth is implied to be in a different system at the time. In addition, in [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|her journal]], Halsey receives an after-action report of the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]] on July 18, 2552, the same day the battle took place. This would be impossible without a near-instantaneous communications system, as a ship could not have possibly traveled from Sigma Octanus system to [[Reach]] in a matter of hours; it took over three weeks for [[Battle Group Leviathan]] to make the journey. Furthermore, according to [[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|page 122]] of the ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]'', some sort of superluminal communications system was used by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] to contact Earth while onboard the {{UNSCShip|Gettysburg}}. The transcript seems to show Halsey transmitting commands in real time. Even if this is accomplished using a script, it still takes about 36 minutes for the data to be transmitted from Earth to somewhere near [[Eridanus Secundus]]. The log in the ''Graphic Novel'' has an opening timestamp of 04:16 on September 12th, 2552; chapter 27 of ''Halo: First Strike'' opens at 04:50 on September 12th, at which point the data has apparently been received. The distance is unknown, however, and so the exact speed can not be calculated.}}
| | A communications probe launched by an underground [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|gauss accelerator]] and a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] creates a Slipspace rift in high orbit so that the COM probe goes through Slipspace like a "bullet" on an ultra-precise trajectory. It rips through normal time-space, travels through [[Slipspace]], and drops back into normal space at its pre-set coordinates. The probe can traverse as far and as fast as any UNSC ship. |
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| ==Function==
| | The wide-spread use of the technology could revolutionize long-distance communication, as it is far faster than conventional radio communication. If each ship were outfitted with such a device, messages could be delivered without requiring a ship to travel through space to manually give the message. Unfortunately, the cost to build a Shaw-Fujikawa ultra-precise low-mass launcher is comparable that of a fleet of ships, and even a single probe is worth the value of a capital city on an [[Outer Colony]].<ref name="jeromi">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]],''' page 105, ''"Vice Admiral [[Ysionris Jeromi]]"''</ref> |
| After a communications probe is launched by an underground [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|gauss accelerator]], a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Shaw-Fujikawa translight generator]] in high orbit creates a [[Slipstream Space|Slipspace]] rift. The probe enters the rift and travels through Slipspace like a "bullet" on an ultra-precise trajectory,{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=21}} and eventually drops back into normal space at its pre-set coordinates. The probe can traverse as far and as fast as any UNSC ship.{{Ref/Reuse|GoO11}}
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| ==Distribution==
| | As of [[2551]] February 20, it's believed that there were only three launchers: one each on [[Earth]] and [[Reach]]<ref name="jeromi"/>, and a secret one on [[Onyx]] (lost when [[Onyx Sentinel]]s destroyed it after sending a message to Earth).<ref name="goo">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', page ??</ref> |
| The wide-spread use of this technology could revolutionize long-distance communication; if each ship were outfitted with such a device, messages could be delivered without requiring a ship to travel through space to manually give the message. Unfortunately, the cost to build an ultra-precise low-mass launcher is comparable that of a fleet of ships, and even a single probe is worth the value of a capital city on one of the [[Outer Colonies]].{{Ref/Reuse|GoO11}}
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| As of [[2552|November 2552]], only a handful slipspace COM launchers were known to exist: there was one on [[Earth]] and one on [[Reach]], and a secret one on [[Onyx]].{{Ref/Reuse|GoO20}} The one on Reach was almost certainly destroyed during the [[Fall of Reach|fall of the planet]], while the one on Onyx was destroyed by [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels]] after it sent a message to Earth.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=33}} Select {{Class|Valiant|super-heavy cruiser}}s sporting the class's command refit were fitted with slipspace comms probe launchers.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=118}}
| | == Halo Graphic Novel == |
| | According to [[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|page 122]] of the [[Halo Graphic Novel]], some sort of superluminal communications system was used by [[Catherine Halsey]] to contact Earth from on board the ''[[Gettysburg]]''. This may have been the launcher from Reach or a fourth, secret launcher. However, the exact system used isn't specified. All that's clear is that it was fast.<ref group="notes">The transcript seems to show Halsey transmitting commands in real time, and even if this is accomplished using a script, it still takes less than 36 minutes for the data to be transmitted from Earth to somewhere near [[Eridanus Secundus]]. The log in the Graphic Novel has an opening timestamp of 04:16 on 2552 September 12; chapter 27 of Halo: First Strike opens at 04:50, at which point the data has apparently been received. The distance is unknown, however, and so the exact speed can't be calculated.</ref> and that Halsey was willing to risk several lives to keep it secret.<ref name="fs-237">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', page 237, ''"the survivors agree to make a risky Slipspace jump to be able to warn Earth of an attack, even though Halsey could presumably have sent a warning days earlier when the attack was first learned of."''</ref> |
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| ==List of appearances== | | ==Trivia== |
| *''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{1st}} | | *Beside the Slipspace COM Launchers, another method of supposedly faster-than-light communication referred to as a "[[Slipbeacon]]" is mentioned in ''[[Halo: Blood Line Issue 1]]''. |
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| ==Notes== | | ==Notes== |
| {{Ref/Notes}}
| | <references group="notes"/> |
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| ==Sources== | | == Sources == |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
| | | [[Category:UNSC technology]] |
| [[Category:Communications technology]] | |
