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{{era|GOO}}
{{Status|Canon}}
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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]] 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.


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.
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 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>
==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}}


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>
==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}}


== Halo Graphic Novel ==
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}}
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>


==Trivia==
==List of appearances==
*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]]''.
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{1st}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
<references group="notes"/>
{{Ref/Notes}}


== Sources ==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
[[Category:UNSC technology]]
 
[[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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