Name: Projection Drive
Type: Faster-Than-Light Propulsion
Usage: Interstellar Travel — Civilian and Military Vessels
Summary:
Projection drive is the standard faster-than-light propulsion technology in the Compact Universe, allowing ships to cross interstellar distances by projecting a wormhole between two points in space. Unlike hypergates, which are fixed-point wormholes maintained by massive stations, the projection drive allows individual ships to create temporary wormholes as needed, providing flexibility for travel between worlds without relying on existing gate networks.
The process involves the ship generating a stable artificial wormhole, essentially folding space to create a shortcut between distant locations. Navigation through a projected wormhole still requires careful calculations and power management, as misalignment can result in catastrophic misjumps. Projection drives consume significant amounts of energy, and their range is limited by the ship’s mass and power capacity.
While slower and less efficient than hypergates for major trade routes, projection drives offer unmatched flexibility. Civilian freighters, passenger liners, and military ships all rely on them to reach destinations outside the hypergate network or when gate infrastructure is unavailable or destroyed.
During the invasion of Amargosa, the destruction of the planet‘s hypergate left it isolated from the rest of the Compact. While projection drive–capable ships could theoretically reach Amargosa, the travel time and energy requirements without hypergate access made relief and reinforcement infeasible during the critical early stages of the invasion.
Notes:
- Projects a temporary wormhole between two points for FTL travel.
- Distinct from hypergates, which are fixed wormhole stations.
- Used across civilian and military vessels for interstellar navigation.
- Requires high energy output and precise navigation.
- Travel time depends on distance, ship class, and wormhole stability.
- Essential for off-network worlds or emergency travel.