Editing Slipspace COM launcher

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The '''Slipspace Communications (COM) launcher''' is an experimental piece of technology invented by the [[United Nations Space Command]] that allows [[Slipstream Space#Communications|faster-than-light communication]].<ref name="goo"/> It is the only known example of superluminal technology apart from the [[Slipbeacon]], which may be an alternate name for the Slipspace COM launcher, and the [[Forerunner]] technology that synchronizes the [[Halo Array]]'s firing sequence.<ref>'''[[Halo: Blood Line]]'''' ''[[Halo: Blood Line Issue 1|Issue 1]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>

==Function==
After a communications is probe launched by an underground [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|gauss accelerator]], a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] creates a [[Slipstream Space|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.<ref name="jeromi"/>

==Distribution==
The wide-spread use of this 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 drive and 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 name="jeromi">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx,''' ''page 105''</ref>

As of [[2551|February 20th 2551]], only three Slipspace COM launchers were known to exist: there was one each [[Earth]] and one on [[Reach]]<ref name="jeromi"/>, and a secret one on [[Onyx]]. 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]] it after sent a message to Earth.<ref name="goo">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page ??''</ref>

{{Conjecturalization}}
According to [[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|page 122]] of the ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]'', some sort of superluminal communications system was used by [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] to contact Earth while onboard the {{UNSCship|Gettysburg}}. Halsey may have used the launcher from Reach to send this message. She was willing to risk several lives to keep this data transfer secret.<ref group="notes">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.</ref><ref name="fs-237">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 237''</ref>
{{Conjecturalization End}}

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|Page 122]]'' <small>(Possible indirect appearance)</Small>

==Notes==
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==Sources==
<references/>
[[Category:Communications technology]]