Communication relays are UNSC planetary communication facilities. A single colony may have at least three local carrier hubs that connect to a primary communications facility responsible for interstellar communication.[1] Communication relays also apparently manage connections to a planet's reconnaissance satellites.[2] On Reach, the Visegrad Relay was one of the planet's three northern carrier hubs.[1]
Due to their importance, communications hubs can be optimal targets for Insurrectionist attacks. In early 2552, rebels on Harmony disabled a relay and stole two dry-docked freighters. Similarly, it was assumed that the communications disruption at the Visegrad relay station on July 23, 2552 was caused by insurgents, before it was revealed to be the work of a Covenant advance party instead.[3]
Trivia
- The nature of the interstellar communications enabled by these facilities is unknown, but given the descriptions given in the novels and the fact humanity's only form of true FTL communication are the top-secret Slipspace COM Launchers, it is likely that they manage communication packets to freighters and other interstellar vessels that deliver the transmissions in their databanks.
List of appearances
- Halo: Reach (First appearance)
Sources
- ^ a b Halo: Reach, Overlook radio conversation
- ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level, Noble Actual ("...hit a relay to take out our eyes and ears...")
- ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level, Noble Actual