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{{Quote|The Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine became a reality in April 2291 due entirely to the vision, persistence and dedication of these two pioneers in quantum engineering and applied hypothetical physics. They have opened a path to the stars for all of us.|[[Tobias Fleming Shaw]], ScD, QeD, FRS January 30, 2220 - November 10, 2317, [[Wallace Fujikawa]] ScD, QEnD April 20, 2215 - February 18, 2318<ref>Halo 3 Multiplayer Map, [[Orbital (Level)|Orbital]]</ref>}}


The Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine (STFE, or slipspace drive) is a human spacecraft propulsion system capable of making transitions to and from slipstream space and by extension allowing faster-than-light interstellar travel. The Covenant analogue functions on similar principles, but is referred to exclusively as a slipspace drive.
[[Image:FTLDrive.png|200px|right|thumb|The FTL drive from the ''[[Spirit of Fire]]'' loaded aboard a transporter.]]
 
{{Quote|They have opened a path to the stars for all of us.|Tobias Fleming Shaw, ScD, QeD, FRS January 30, 2220 - November 10, 2317, Wallace Fujikawa ScD, QEnD April 20, 2215 - February 18, 2318<ref>Halo 3 Multiplayer Map, [[Orbital (Level)|Orbital]]</ref>}}
 
The '''Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine''' (STFE, or slipspace drive) is a [[human]] spacecraft propulsion system capable of making transitions to and from [[slipstream space]] and by extension allowing faster-than-light interstellar travel. The [[Covenant]] analogue functions on similar principles, but is referred to exclusively as a slipspace drive.


==History==
==History==
[[Image:FTLDrive.png|200px|right|thumb|The FTL drive from the ''[[Spirit of Fire]]'' loaded aboard a transporter.]]
The engine was developed by a group of engineers and theoretical physicists led by [[Tobias Fleming Shaw]] and [[Wallace Fujikawa]] and was completed in April [[2291]]<ref>Halo 3 multiplayer map, Orbital</ref>. From that point onward, the drive became one of the most important technological innovations of humanity.<ref>Halo: Contact Harvest, pg. 24</ref> The drive is not without limitations, however, although these may be partially because of slipstream physics rather than engineering imperfections. Short slips may take several months, whilst longer slips may take over half a year.<ref>Halo: Contact Harvest, pg. 24</ref>
The '''Shaw-Fujikawa Slipspace Drive''' was developed secretly by a group of military researchers, [[Tobias Fleming Shaw]] and [[Wallace Fujikawa]] in [[2291]]. From that point onward, the drive became one of the most important technological innovations of humanity. The drive is not without limitations, however, although these may be partially because of slipstream physics rather than engineering imperfections. The engine is capable of [[Slipspace]] jumps of over a thousand astronomical units to other Colonies in months. "Short" jumps routinely take up to two months, and "long" jumps can last six months or more. Shaw-Fujikawa engines allowed UNSC ships to leave normal space and plow through a dimensional subdomain colloquially known as "Slipstream space" (Slipspace for short) or "Shaw-Fujikawa Space." The invention of the "Slipspace Drive" has been rated as the most important invention in human history since it allowed Humans to colonize other planets and jump outside the bubble of their Solar System.


By 2552, most human spacecraft were equipped with a slipspace engine, including most, if not all of the UNSC Navy’s warships.
By [[2552]], most human spacecraft were equipped with a slipspace engine, including most, if not all of the [[UNSC Navy]]’s warships.<ref>Plausible speculation, considering that no UNSC capital ship has yet lacked a drive.</ref>


==Functionality==
==Functionality==
The Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine functions by creating ruptures, referred to in some sources as wormholes, between normal space and an alternate plane known as slipspace (also known as slipstream space and Shaw-Fujikawa space. The nonstandard physics of slipspace allow it to be used as a shortcut realm, facilitating interstellar travel between distant regions in reasonable time.
The Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine functions by creating ruptures, referred to in some sources as wormholes, between normal space and an alternate plane known as slipspace (also known as slipstream space and Shaw-Fujikawa space<ref>Halo: The Fall of Reach, pg. 141</ref>). The nonstandard physics of slipspace allow it to be used as a shortcut realm, facilitating interstellar travel between distant regions in reasonable time.


The engine makes ruptures by using high-power cyclic particle accelerators to generate microscopic black holes. Because of their low mass, [[Hawking Radiation|Hawking radiation]] gives them a lifetime of around a nanosecond before they evaporate into useless thermal energy.<ref>Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg 53</ref> In that nanosecond, the engine manipulates them into forming a coherent rupture between normal space and the slipstream.
The engine makes ruptures by using high-power<ref>CERN’s Large Hadron Collider is considered high-power, and there was speculation that it would generate micro black holes. A collider expressly designed to create black holes would be of even higher power</ref> cyclic<ref>The drive seen in Halo Wars is too small to fit a linear accelerator inside, so the UNSC must use circular, ringed configurations</ref> particle accelerators to generate microscopic black holes. Because of their low mass, [[Hawking radiation]] gives them a lifetime of around a nanosecond before they evaporate into useless thermal energy. In that nanosecond, the engine manipulates them into forming a coherent rupture between normal space and the slipstream.<ref>Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg. 53</ref>


It should be noted that in real-world physics, black holes have been identified as a possible vector for constructing traversable wormholes, specifically by replacing the singularity with a path to a white hole in another universe. It is unknown whether a slipspace drive has a role in accelerating a spacecraft through slipstream space, or whether conventional reaction thrusters are used. It is known that an engine remained active for the entire period that a spacecraft is in the slipstream, although its purpose during this period is known. When active, a Shaw-Fujikawa engine emits alpha (helium nuclei) and beta (fast electrons) particles.
It should be noted that in real-world physics, black holes have been identified as a possible vector for constructing traversable wormholes, specifically by replacing the singularity with a path to a white hole in another universe.


Human slipspace drives were considered black boxes which were very difficult to repair or maintain after they went hot for the first time. Spartan-051 considered slipspace drives dangerous, noting the aforementioned radiation and that spacetime was said to distort around an active device. Dr. Halsey also observed that in the past, several technicians had simply vanished whilst manually adjusting a drive. Given their advanced technology, it is unknown whether the Covenant had a similar view.
It is unknown whether a slipspace drive has a role in accelerating a spacecraft through slipstream space, or whether conventional reaction thrusters are used. It is known that an engine remains active for the entire period that a spacecraft is in the slipstream, although its purpose during this period is unknown. When active, a Shaw-Fujikawa engine emits alpha (helium nuclei) and beta (fast electrons) particles.<ref>Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg. 145</ref>
 
Human slipspace drives were considered black boxes<Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, Fred: “They had to repair the [drive] on the ''Magellan''. It was a risky op. Those things aren’t meant to be taken apart once they go active.”> which were very difficult to repair or maintain after they went hot for the first time. [[Spartan-051]] considered slipspace drives dangerous<ref>Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg. 53</ref>, noting the aforementioned radiation and that spacetime was said to distort around an active device. [[Dr. Halsey]] also observed that in the past, several technicians had simply vanished whilst manually adjusting a drive.<ref>Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg. 146</ref> Given their advanced technology, it is unknown whether the Covenant had a similar view.


===Atypical Uses===
===Atypical Uses===
There have been several occasions where a Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine has been used for purposes other than those intended.
There have been several occasions where a Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine has been used for purposes other than those intended.
*In 2531, the Spirit of Fire cannibalised its slipspace engine for use as an improvised bomb, in order to induce supernova in the miniature star at the heart of an unnamed shield world.
* In [[2531]], the ''[[Spirit of Fire]]'' cannibalised its slipspace engine for use as an improvised bomb, in order to induce supernova in the miniature star at the heart of an [[Shield World (Halo Wars)|unnamed shield world]].<ref>Halo Wars</ref>
*In the same year, the Office of Naval Intelligence used a partially deconstructed drive to cause Spartan-051’s armour to malfunction and send him flying into space so he could be secretly rescued and recruited for the Spartan-III project.
* In the same year, the Office of Naval Intelligence used a partially deconstructed drive to cause Spartan-051’s armour to malfunction and send him flying into space so he could be secretly rescued and recruited for the Spartan-III project.<ref>Halo: Ghosts of Onyx</ref>
*Several times, the UNSC has attempted to execute in-atmosphere slipspace transitions. They were always unsuccessful, leading to the conversion of the trial spacecraft into “atomised bits”.
* Several times, the [[UNSC]] has attempted to execute in-atmosphere slipspace transitions. They were always unsuccessful, leading to the conversion of the trial spacecraft into “atomised bits”.<ref>Halo: First Strike</ref>


===Covenant Advantages===
===Covenant Advantages===
Being more scientifically and technologically advanced than humanity (having stolen most of it notwithstanding), the Covenant have numerous advantages in slipspace propulsion systems. Whilst the Shaw-Fujikawa engine is said to “punch” a hole between realms using brute force, Covenant engines instead take a small rupture and delicately enlarge it. This allows the latter to execute far more accurate slips. This is the reason that Covenant Slipspace engines are far more accurate than Human drives. Captured Covenant [[Engineer]]s made the [[Gettysburg|UNSC Gettysburg]] the fastest ship in the [[UNSC]] fleet by upgrading its Slipspace drive to near-Covenant specifications. Covenant engines are also more flexible than their Human-made counterparts; atmospheric Slipspace transitions have twice been seen with them,<ref>Halo 2 and Halo: First Strike</ref> and an underpowered slip was successfully accomplished with a Covenant ship.<ref>Halo: Ghosts of Onyx</ref>
Being more scientifically and technologically advanced than humanity (having stolen most of it notwithstanding), the Covenant have numerous advantages in slipspace propulsion systems. Whilst the Shaw-Fujikawa engine is said to “punch” a hole between realms using brute force, Covenant engines instead take a small rupture and delicately enlarge it with surgical precision. This allows the latter to execute far more accurate slips.<ref>Halo: First Strike</ref>


Covenant drives are generally more flexible than those of humans. They have twice been seen to execute in-atmosphere slipspace transitions (although the first time the drive in question was controlled by a human AI). In addition, they can execute successful slips even if underpowered.
Covenant drives are generally more flexible than those of humans. They have twice been seen to execute in-atmosphere slipspace transitions<ref>''Ascendant Justice'' in Halo: First Strike and Regret’s carrier in Halo 2</ref> (although the first time the drive in question was controlled by [[Cortana|a human AI]]). In addition, they can execute successful slips even if underpowered.


==Terminology==
==Terminology==
The original term for making a transition between normal space and the slipstream was “jump”, which was later retconned to “slip”. Halo Wars introduces alternate terminology for the slipspace drive. It is referred to as an FTL drive and FTL reactor several times, and the process of initialising it for a slip was referred to as “spinning up”.
The original term for making a transition between normal space and the slipstream was “jump”, which was later retconned to “slip”. [[Halo Wars]] introduces additional terminology for the slipspace drive. It is referred to as an FTL drive and FTL reactor several times, and the process of initialising it for a slip was referred to as “spinning up”. This may be an attempt to introduce more accessible nomenclature for newcomers to the Halo franchise<ref>Alternatively, it may be a reference to the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, where the phrase is often used</ref>.
 
The '''Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine''' (sometimes abbreviated to SFTE, usually known merely as a "Slipspace Drive") is a [[Human]] spacecraft propulsion system capable of faster-than-light travel through [[Slipspace]].
 
==Trivia==
*The emissions of a damaged Shaw-Fujikawa drive were used by [[ONI]] to make the [[armor]] of [[Spartan-051]] malfunction and send him flying into unknown space, so that he could be secretly rescued, and then repurposed to train the new [[Spartan-III]]s.
*Covenant Slipspace Drives are seemingly much more advanced than Human ones, as Cortana performs the first atmospheric transition in ''Halo: First Strike'', and Spartans [[Fred-104]], [[Linda-058]], and [[William-043]] manage an underpowered jump using a captured Covenant destroyer in Ghosts of Onyx, which was said to have been attempted twice by UNSC ships, both times resulting in the ship transitioning "into atomized bits".
*The [[Spirit of Fire]]'s Slipspace Drive was used as an improvised explosive to destroy [[Shield World (Halo Wars)|The unnamed Shield World]]'s internal sun, resulting in the star going supernova; destroying both the [[Shield World]] and its contigent of [[Unnamed Forerunner Starship|Forerunner Warships]]'s in order to prevent those ships from falling into Covenant hands.


==Related Articles==
==Related Articles==

Revision as of 05:27, May 24, 2009

Template:Ratings

The FTL drive from the Spirit of Fire loaded aboard a transporter.

"They have opened a path to the stars for all of us."
— Tobias Fleming Shaw, ScD, QeD, FRS January 30, 2220 - November 10, 2317, Wallace Fujikawa ScD, QEnD April 20, 2215 - February 18, 2318[1]

The Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine (STFE, or slipspace drive) is a human spacecraft propulsion system capable of making transitions to and from slipstream space and by extension allowing faster-than-light interstellar travel. The Covenant analogue functions on similar principles, but is referred to exclusively as a slipspace drive.

History

The engine was developed by a group of engineers and theoretical physicists led by Tobias Fleming Shaw and Wallace Fujikawa and was completed in April 2291[2]. From that point onward, the drive became one of the most important technological innovations of humanity.[3] The drive is not without limitations, however, although these may be partially because of slipstream physics rather than engineering imperfections. Short slips may take several months, whilst longer slips may take over half a year.[4]

By 2552, most human spacecraft were equipped with a slipspace engine, including most, if not all of the UNSC Navy’s warships.[5]

Functionality

The Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine functions by creating ruptures, referred to in some sources as wormholes, between normal space and an alternate plane known as slipspace (also known as slipstream space and Shaw-Fujikawa space[6]). The nonstandard physics of slipspace allow it to be used as a shortcut realm, facilitating interstellar travel between distant regions in reasonable time.

The engine makes ruptures by using high-power[7] cyclic[8] particle accelerators to generate microscopic black holes. Because of their low mass, Hawking radiation gives them a lifetime of around a nanosecond before they evaporate into useless thermal energy. In that nanosecond, the engine manipulates them into forming a coherent rupture between normal space and the slipstream.[9]

It should be noted that in real-world physics, black holes have been identified as a possible vector for constructing traversable wormholes, specifically by replacing the singularity with a path to a white hole in another universe.

It is unknown whether a slipspace drive has a role in accelerating a spacecraft through slipstream space, or whether conventional reaction thrusters are used. It is known that an engine remains active for the entire period that a spacecraft is in the slipstream, although its purpose during this period is unknown. When active, a Shaw-Fujikawa engine emits alpha (helium nuclei) and beta (fast electrons) particles.[10]

Human slipspace drives were considered black boxes<Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, Fred: “They had to repair the [drive] on the Magellan. It was a risky op. Those things aren’t meant to be taken apart once they go active.”> which were very difficult to repair or maintain after they went hot for the first time. Spartan-051 considered slipspace drives dangerous[11], noting the aforementioned radiation and that spacetime was said to distort around an active device. Dr. Halsey also observed that in the past, several technicians had simply vanished whilst manually adjusting a drive.[12] Given their advanced technology, it is unknown whether the Covenant had a similar view.

Atypical Uses

There have been several occasions where a Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine has been used for purposes other than those intended.

  • In 2531, the Spirit of Fire cannibalised its slipspace engine for use as an improvised bomb, in order to induce supernova in the miniature star at the heart of an unnamed shield world.[13]
  • In the same year, the Office of Naval Intelligence used a partially deconstructed drive to cause Spartan-051’s armour to malfunction and send him flying into space so he could be secretly rescued and recruited for the Spartan-III project.[14]
  • Several times, the UNSC has attempted to execute in-atmosphere slipspace transitions. They were always unsuccessful, leading to the conversion of the trial spacecraft into “atomised bits”.[15]

Covenant Advantages

Being more scientifically and technologically advanced than humanity (having stolen most of it notwithstanding), the Covenant have numerous advantages in slipspace propulsion systems. Whilst the Shaw-Fujikawa engine is said to “punch” a hole between realms using brute force, Covenant engines instead take a small rupture and delicately enlarge it with surgical precision. This allows the latter to execute far more accurate slips.[16]

Covenant drives are generally more flexible than those of humans. They have twice been seen to execute in-atmosphere slipspace transitions[17] (although the first time the drive in question was controlled by a human AI). In addition, they can execute successful slips even if underpowered.

Terminology

The original term for making a transition between normal space and the slipstream was “jump”, which was later retconned to “slip”. Halo Wars introduces additional terminology for the slipspace drive. It is referred to as an FTL drive and FTL reactor several times, and the process of initialising it for a slip was referred to as “spinning up”. This may be an attempt to introduce more accessible nomenclature for newcomers to the Halo franchise[18].

Related Articles

Sources

  1. ^ Halo 3 Multiplayer Map, Orbital
  2. ^ Halo 3 multiplayer map, Orbital
  3. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, pg. 24
  4. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, pg. 24
  5. ^ Plausible speculation, considering that no UNSC capital ship has yet lacked a drive.
  6. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, pg. 141
  7. ^ CERN’s Large Hadron Collider is considered high-power, and there was speculation that it would generate micro black holes. A collider expressly designed to create black holes would be of even higher power
  8. ^ The drive seen in Halo Wars is too small to fit a linear accelerator inside, so the UNSC must use circular, ringed configurations
  9. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg. 53
  10. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg. 145
  11. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg. 53
  12. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pg. 146
  13. ^ Halo Wars
  14. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
  15. ^ Halo: First Strike
  16. ^ Halo: First Strike
  17. ^ Ascendant Justice in Halo: First Strike and Regret’s carrier in Halo 2
  18. ^ Alternatively, it may be a reference to the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, where the phrase is often used
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