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{{era|GOO}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{ratings}}
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}}
The '''Slipspace Communications (COM) Launcher''' is an experimental piece of technology invented by the [[UNSC]].


A Communications probe launched by an underground gauss accelerator and then a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Slipspace Drive]] 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 the laws of known human physics and drops back into normal space at some very distant coordinates<ref>[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]] page 105.</ref>. The probe actually navigates through [[Slipspace]] and traverses as far and as fast as any [[UNSC]] ship.
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.}}


The technology would revolutionize long-distance communication, 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, especially when the ship is further delayed by the [[Cole Protocol]].  
==Function==
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}}


Unfortunately, the cost to build a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Slipspace Drive|Shaw-Fujikawa]] ultra-precise low-mass launcher is comparable to a fleet of ships, and even a single probe is worth the value of a capital city on an outlying colony. Therefore, there are only three known launchers: one on [[Earth]], one on [[Reach]], and a secret one on [[Onyx]], though the [[Onyx]] and [[Reach]] launchers were likely destroyed during [[The Battle of Reach]] and [[The Battle of Onyx]], respectively, though the one on [[Onyx]] was able to send a message to the [[Spartan-III]]'s and [[Kurt]].
==Distribution==
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}}


== Sources ==
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}}


<references/>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{1st}}


[[Category:UNSC]]
==Notes==
[[Category:Technology]]
{{Ref/Notes}}
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
[[Category:Communications technology]]

Latest revision as of 15:13, February 10, 2024

The Slipspace communications (COM) launcher,[1] 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 faster-than-light communication.[2]

As of February 20th, 2551, it was the only form of superluminal communications technology used by humans, excluding messages carried aboard courier starships. However, by July 2552, the UNSC had apparently developed a more effective form of superluminal communication system which enabled interstellar communications in real-time.[Note 1]

Function[edit]

After a communications probe is launched by an underground gauss accelerator, a Shaw-Fujikawa translight generator in high orbit creates a Slipspace rift. The probe enters the rift and travels through Slipspace like a "bullet" on an ultra-precise trajectory,[3] 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.[2]

Distribution[edit]

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.[2]

As of 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.[1] The one on Reach was almost certainly destroyed during the fall of the planet, while the one on Onyx was destroyed by Sentinels after it sent a message to Earth.[4] Select Valiant-class super-heavy cruisers sporting the class's command refit were fitted with slipspace comms probe launchers.[5]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ In Halo: The Fall of Reach Chapter 16, Captain Keyes contacts 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 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 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 UNSC 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.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 20
  2. ^ a b c Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 11
  3. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 21
  4. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 33
  5. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 118
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