Difference between revisions of "Jump Drive"

From Traveller Wiki - Science-Fiction Adventure in the Far future
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(35 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[File:Jump-FTL-WH-Keith-CT-Starter-Trav-Pg-28 03-July-2018a.jpg|right]]
 
[[File:Jump-FTL-WH-Keith-CT-Starter-Trav-Pg-28 03-July-2018a.jpg|right]]
−
The [[Jump Drive]] is a [[technology]] that opens a transition to [[jumpspace]], which allows for [[Faster-than-light]] ([[FTL]]) travel, making space travel, exploration, and colonization vastly quicker and more efficient than pre-[[FTL]] [[NAFAL]] [[starship]] engines.
+
The [[Jump Drive]] (also known as a ''J-Drive'') is an [[Interstellar Drive]] which allows for [[Faster-than-light]] (FTL) travel, making space travel, exploration, and colonization vastly quicker and more efficient.
−
* It is a type of ''[[Interstellar Drive]]''.
 
−
* It is sometimes known as the [[J-Drive]] or [[Star Drive]].
 
−
* In [[engineering]] terminology, an [[engine]] or [[power plant]] produces energy, and a [[drive]] creates propulsion. In common language, the terms are used interchangeably.
 
 
* It is a kind of [[Ship Equipment]].  
 
* It is a kind of [[Ship Equipment]].  
 +
 +
== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
 +
The central theory of the jump drive operation is the idea of ''jump space'', a method of quickly traversing the long distances between stars. The basic concept of jump space is that of an alternate space. Theoretically, jump spaces are alternate universes, each only dimly understood from the standpoint of our own universe. Within jump space, different physical laws apply, making energy costs for reactions and activity different and imposing a different scale on size and distance. {{Page cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=34|article=Jumpspace|citeName=JTAS24-34}}
 +
 +
Jump is defined as the movement of matter and energy from one point in space (called ''real space''', ''normal space'' or ''N-Space'') to another point in normal space by traveling through an alternate space (called ''jump space'' or ''J-Space''). The benefit of jump is the time required to execute a jump is relatively invariant — about one week. {{Page cite|citeName=JTAS24-34}}
 +
 +
Jump distances are calculated in parsecs (3.27 light-years). Jump-1, for example, indicates the ability to jump one parsec. Jump numbers range from 1 to 6; higher jump numbers are not possible in ordinary usage, although misjumps can carry ships over greater distances.{{Page cite|name=High Guard|version=Classic Traveller|page=17|citeName=HG-17}}
 +
 +
Jump takes 168 hours (± 10%) to complete. The time is related to the nature of the alternate space being traveled in, and to the energy applied. Where time is a variable in travel in normal space, energy is a variable in jump space; time is a constant. Consequently, distance depends on the energy applied. {{Page cite|citeName=JTAS24-34}} The duration of a jump is fixed at the instant jump begins, and depends on the specific jump space entered, the energy input into the system, and on other factors.{{Page cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=36|article=Jumpspace|citeName=JTAS24-36}}. The exact time of emergence is usually predicted by the ship's computers.
 +
 +
Jump drives require fuel, displacement mass, and coolant, all of which are collectively called jump fuel (liquid hydrogen being used for all three functions). {{Page cite|name=Fire, Fusion, & Steel|page=42|citeName=FFS-42}} Fuel used for ships is hydrogen, which is available in the atmospheres of gas giants (similar to Saturn or Jupiter) or from oceans of water. {{Page cite|citeName=HG-17}}
 +
The amount of fuel required for a successful jump is equal to 10% of the displacement of the ship per parsec of jump distance attempted. {{Page cite|name=Fire, Fusion & Steel|page=12}}
 +
 +
Jump drive machinery requirements are tied to the volume of the hull and the maximum distance the drive is capable of jumping the ship. There are upper limits on how many parsecs a ship may jump based on the [[Technology Level]] of the drive. {{Page cite|citeName=FFS-42}}
 +
 +
Gravity has extraordinary effects on the function of the jump drive. Jump transitions to jump space are severely scrambled within the stresses of a gravity well; the transition cannot usually take place within the stresses of a gravity well. When it does, the turbulence created by the gravity well makes the results unpredictable.{{Page cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=35|article=Jumpspace|citeName=JTAS24-35}} Entering jump space is possible anywhere but the pertubing effects of gravity make it impractical to begin a jump within a gravity field of more than certain specific limits based on size, density, and distance. The general rule of thumb is a distance of at least 100 diameters out from a world or star (including a safety margin).{{Page cite|citeName=JTAS24-34}} This limit is referred to as the 100 diameter (abbreviated as 100D) limit and referred to as an absolute requirement rather than a safety guideline.
 +
 +
One of the benefits of the Jump Drive is controlability; jump is predictable. When known levels of energy are expended, and certain other parameters are known with precision, jump drive is accurate to less than one part per ten billion. Over a jump distance of one parsec the arrival point of a ship can be predicted within perhaps 3,000 kilometers.{{Page cite|citeName=JTAS24-34}}
 +
 +
The laws of conservation of mass and energy continue to operate on ships which have jumped; when a ship exits jump it retains the speed and direction it had when it entered jump. Commercial ships, for safety reasons, generally reduce their velocity to zero before jumping. Military and Courier ships often enter jump at a high speed and aim for an end point of a jump which directs their vector toward their destination in the new system. Such a maneuver allows constant acceleration in the originating system, followed by constant deceleration in the destination system. {{Page cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=35|article=Jumpspace|citeName=JTAS24-35}}
 +
 +
== Jump Drive Components ==
 +
An operating jump drive requires several basic components:
 +
; Power Source
 +
: Jump uses large amounts of energy to open the barriers between normal space and jump space.
 +
; Energy Storage
 +
: Once power is generated it must be stored until the instant of Jump.
 +
; Strong Hull
 +
: The hull of a starship must be constructed to withstand normal space and the rigors of Jump Space.
 +
; Computer
 +
: Jump drives have precise power requirements which can only be met if the power is fed under computer control. The calculations needed for a jump require a high level of accuracy.
 +
 +
=== Types of Jump Drive design ===
 +
; Jump Bubble
 +
: A Jump Bubble creates a spherical, or egg-shaped oblate spheroid, field around the ship and centered on the jump drive. Jump Bubble is the standard for generating a Jump Field; it does not interfere with armor and produces a standard jump flash. Jump Bubble allows a ship to vary its effective tonnage from mission to mission (which makes Drop Tanks and Variable Jump Container Ships possible). {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=73|citeName=T5S-73}}
 +
; Jump Grid
 +
: A closely-conforming Jump Grid channels jump energy through a mesh of conduits and cables embedded in the hull. Jump Grid allows a reduced safe jump distance, making it possible for a ship to jump closer to a gravity source. On the other hand, the Jump Grid reduces the strength of armor and increases telltale jump flash. {{Page cite|citeName=T5S-73}}
 +
 +
=== Alternate Energy Sources ===
 +
There are two other sources of energy sufficient to power the jump drive:
 +
* [[Collector]]s, a {{TL|14}} technology, which can power the jump drive but not the rest of a ship's systems. Collectors are charged by opening their canopies to space for about one week.
 +
* [[Antimatter Plant]], a {{TL|19}} technology.  Antimatter power plants use antimatter as a fuel source and capable of supplying the power required for jump drives without the huge volumes of Hydrogen fuel required for the fusion power plants.
 +
 +
=== Jump Tapes ===
 +
Jump navigation requires some very advanced mathematics and a great deal of computer "number crunching". Every jump is different and a great deal of careful planning and computation has to be done before the jump drive can be turned on. {{Page cite|name=Interstellar Wars|page=170|citeName=IW-170}}
 +
 +
During the [[First Imperium]] the Vilani developed and widely used a computational short-cut. A ''jump tape'' is designed for one origin-destination pair of star system. It contains some pre-computed parameters that apply to any jump from the origin system to the destination system. Even with a jump tape some computational work must still be done, but the work is much easier for the navigator. {{Page cite|citeName=IW-170}}
 +
 +
A jump tape is a specialized version of the [[Jump Program]] tuned for one specific pair of systems. The use of jump tapes has declined to almost nothing by the end of Third Imperium and vanishes thereafter.
 +
 +
== Jump Drive Operation ==
 +
The typical jump begins on a world surface or orbit when the ship prepares to leave. The ship leaves the world and proceeds to a point more than 100 diameters out. Along the way the [[astrogator]] has been preparing for jump using the computer. A jump destination has been selected. The computer is fed the coordinates and controlling data. {{Page cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=36|article=Jumpspace|citeName=JTAS24-36}}
 +
 +
Once the astrogrator knows which star system, they select a specific destination based on one of several different principles: central star, mainworld, some other world (or body), an orbit within a system, a range band from a world, or an arbitrary Point Alpha. {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=117}}
 +
 +
The starting and ending points (in Real Space) are connected by a Courseline (specifically for Jump Drives called a Jumpline): a straight line course traced in Real Space. A Course cannot be changed once begun. A straight line course cannot pass through a bubble surrounding a mass of any appreciable size (within Safe Jump Distance of a gravity source larger than the ship; gravity sources smaller than the ship have no effect). {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=112}}
 +
 +
When the jump drive is activated a large store of fuel is fed through the ship's power plant to create the energy necessary. In a few minutes the jump drive capacitors have been charged to capacity. Under computer control the energy is then fed into the appropriate sections of the jump drive and jump begins.  {{Page cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=36|article=Jumpspace|citeName=JTAS24-36}}
 +
 +
A ship entering Jump Space emits an active flash of broad spectrum energy. The ship’s gravitational signature vanishes from any sensors. Entry Flash is subject to lightspeed and lasts about a minute at peak strength. {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=118}}. With good analysis of the sensor information, the burst reveals the approximate size of the ship, and the time it left the system, and the direction of the jump (but not its distance). {{Page cite|name=GURPS Traveller Core Rules|page=121|citeName=GT-121}}
 +
 +
During the week in jump the responsiblities of the crew are directed toward maintaining life support within the ship, repair and maintenance of some ship systems, and care of the passengers.
 +
 +
At the end of the week in jump the ship naturally preciptated out of jump space and into normal space. Exit (also called Breakout, or Precipitation, or Transition) is the transition from Jump Space back to real space. The field sustaining the Jump effect collapses and the ship transitions to Real Space. {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=119|citeName=T5S-119}}
 +
 +
Exit from Jump occurs without any specific input or control activity from the ship. Just before Exit, the jump drive shows signs of the jump ending (through decreased energy levels, increased vibration levels, and other readings). Rumblings occur about one hour before Exit; their absence is a sign that Breakout will be delayed; their early occurrence is a sign that Breakout will be premature.{{Page cite|citeName=T5S-119}}
 +
 +
A ship leaving Jump Space emits an active flash of broad spectrum energy which is slightly less intense than an Entry Flash. The ship’s gravitational signature  appears on any sensors. Exit Flash is subject to lightspeed and lasts about a minute at peak strength. {{Page cite|citeName=T5S-119}} The energy pulse can reveal the approximate size of the ship and the time it entered the system.{{Page cite|citeName=GT-121}}
 +
 +
Because of the delicacy of jump drives, most ships perform maintenance operations on their drives after every jump. It is possible for a ship to make another jump
 +
almost immediately (within an hour) after returning to normal space, but standard
 +
procedures call for at least a 16 hour wait to allow cursory drive checks and some
 +
recharging.{{Page cite|citeName=HG-17}}
 +
 +
=== Microjump ===
 +
Any jump of less than one parsec is considered a ''microjump''. Usually these are used to travel to distant parts within a system. For example between the two stars in a distant binary. The Terrans used the practice of microjumps within their own system after inventing the jump drive. A microjump has the same power and fuel requirements as a normal 1 parsec jump.
 +
 +
=== Synchronized Jumps ===
 +
A military fleet maneuver the ''synchronized jump'' overcomes the problem of having a fleet jump into a system and ships exit jump over the span of several hours to a day or more. The process requires all the ships in the fleet calculate their jump simultaneously, and jump at the same time. When done correctly the ships in the fleet all arrive within two or three hours of each other.
 +
 +
=== Jump point masking ===
 +
''Jump point masking'' occurs when the 100D limit of another astronomical body blocks (masks) the jump point of the main world. If the jump line intercepts the 100D limit the ship would be precipitated out of jumpspace well short of the destination. Astrogators must plot a course which just skims the 100D limit of these other bodies and usually requires significant additional flight time in Normal space to get to a clear jump point.
 +
 +
=== Deep Space Jumps ===
 +
The mathematics of jump navigation is much simpler when there is a large mass, a star or large planet, in normal space close to each end of the jump. A ''Deep space jump'' is one where one or both ends of the jump is in deep interstellar space, far away from from any such massive object. The Vilani during the [[First Imperium]] never managed to discover the process of safely plotting deep space jumps. It was only late in the [[Second Imperium]] era the safe navigational procedures were developed for deep space jumping.
 +
 +
Interstellar space is not completely empty. Astromomers may be able to find massive objects even in the empty spaces of interstellar space; rogue planets, large comets, or cool brown dwarf stars. When found and occupied, these object are known as ''jump points'' or ''calibration points''.
 +
 +
Calibration points are located in deep interstellar space, light-years from the nearest significant body. At the simplest level they consist of a natural source of hydrogen, typically a comet nucleus or other icy body, but rogue planets are rarely found and used. These natural calibration points are discovered and exploited. {{Page cite|name=The Regency Sourcebook|page=76}}
 +
 +
=== Misjump ===
 +
The most interesting event which can occur is the misjump, in which
 +
the jump drive malfunctions. At the instant of jump, a jump drive which is: a) within 100 diameters of a world or star, b) operating on unrefined fuel, or c) operating without annual maintenance may malfunction, resulting in a jump of random length and direction. A misjump involves a considerable random jump.{{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Classic Traveller|page=4}}
 +
 +
The most common case of a failed jump attempt results in a simple failure. The fuel required for the jump is expended but the transition to jump space does not occur, and the ship remains in normal space.
 +
 +
Failure of the Astrogator to correctly calculate their Jumpline may result in hitting a blockage, the gravity limit of a world short of their destination, or ending up in the destination system at a location much further away from their indented destination. This is known as a ''Misexit''.
 +
 +
In rare cases of bad Jumpline calculations the ship exits near a solitary world, comet, or odd chunk of rock in deep space between major systems. This is known as a ''blocked jumpline'', or ''blocking''.
 +
 +
A misjump occurs when the drive fails during the initial jump process, or when a jump is failed because it is too close to another object. A misjump can take the form of no jump, a failed jump (the ship enters jumpspace, but emerges after about a week in the same place it started), or a misdirected jump, where the ship emerges from jumpspace in an unintended location, usually far in distance and location from the intended exit point (this result is different from a misexit). A failed jump and a misdirected jump are indistinguishable before the ship exits jumpspace. {{Page cite|citeName=GT-121}}
 +
 +
In the worst case the jump space entered is one that collapsed in the brief microseconds after the Big Bang — entering a jump space that is effectively a
 +
singularity destroys the ship immediately. {{Page cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=37|article=Jumpspace}}
 
   
 
   
−
=== Library Data Referral Tree ===
+
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 +
[[File: Jump-Field-Sign-T5-Fan-Andy-Bigwood 06-Oct-2019a.jpg|right|300px]]
 +
The ''Jump Drive'' was first discovered by the [[Ancients]] more than 300,000 years ago. With it they explored the greater part of [[Charted Space]]. At the conclusion of the [[Final War]], the Ancients' jump [[technology]] was lost, although intact (damaged) [[artifact]]s were found later on, and reverse-engineered to create jump drives of a more primitive nature than their source [[technology]].
 +
 
 +
=== Jump Drive Technology Timeline ===
 +
These are some of the important dates recorded as to when certain sophont cultures have acquired the jump drive:
 +
* Please note that not all dates may be entirely accurate.
 +
<div style="clear:both"></div>
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3"| Jump Drive Technology Timeline <br> ([[Imperial Calendar|Imperial Dates]])
 +
|-
 +
! Date
 +
! Culture
 +
! Remarks
 +
|-
 +
| c. [[-350000|-350,000]] *
 +
| [[Droyne]]
 +
| [[Droyne]] achieve {{TL|10}} on their homeworld; although Jump drive is often available at that level, they have not yet discovered it. {{Page cite|name= Secret of the Ancients |page=42 |version=Classic Traveller}}
 +
|-
 +
| c. [[-320000|-320,000]] *
 +
| [[Ancients]]
 +
| The [[Ancient]]s inhabit the general region of the [[Spinward Marches Sector|Spinward Marches]] and explore all of [[Charted Space]]. {{Page cite|name= The Kinunir |page=38 |version=Classic Traveller}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-9240]]
 +
| [[Geonee]]
 +
| Geonee of {{WorldS|Shiwonee|Massilia|1430}} discover a [[derelict]] Ancient starship in a planetoid belt in the Shiwonee system. From this they reverse engineer a Jump drive and explore the [[Stenardee Cluster]]. {{Page cite|name= Humaniti |page=68 }}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-9235]]
 +
| [[Vilani]]
 +
| The [[Vilani]] of {{WorldS|Vland|Vland|1717}} discovers the Jump-1 drive.  {{Page cite|name= Library Data (A-M) |page=27 |version=Classic Traveller}}
 +
|-
 +
| c. [[-9000]]
 +
| [[Vilani]], [[Geonee]]
 +
| Vilani explorers contact the Geonee, and discover that they have Jump technology not of Vilani origin. {{Page cite|name= The Travellers' Digest 11 |page=8 }}
 +
|-
 +
| c. [[-7000]]
 +
| [[Droyne]]
 +
| Droyne first observed using Jump technology; new colonies established, including {{WorldS|Vanejen|Spinward Marches|3119}}. {{Page cite|name= Research Station Gamma |page=43 |version=Classic Traveller}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-6150]]
 +
| [[S'mrii]]
 +
| S'mrii of {{WorldS|Mimu|Dagudashaag|0208}} acquire jump technology from Vilani-influenced traders. {{Page cite|name=Signal-GK 01|page=58}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-5723]]
 +
| [[Vegan]]
 +
| [[Vegan]]s of {{WorldS|Muan Gwi|Solomani Rim|1717}} acquire jump drive technology from the Geonee, a Vilani-influenced Human minor race. {{Page cite|name=Solomani Rim |version=Mongoose Traveller|page=3}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-5583]]
 +
| [[Ziadd]]
 +
| A Ziadd (of {{WorldS|Zeda|Dagudashaag|0721}}) ship performs the first in-system jump, copying the recovered design from wrecked Vilani scouts. {{Page cite|name=Signal-GK 09|page=11}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-5450]]
 +
| [[Luriani]]
 +
| [[Luriani]] receive Jump technology from an unknown race. {{Page cite|name= Gateway to Destiny |page=9}}{{Page cite|name=Luriani|version=Mongoose Traveller|page=19}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-5435]]
 +
| [[Luriani]]
 +
| A [[Sharurshid]] fleet discovers that the Luriani have acquired Jump technology. The Vilani launch an investigation to discover who gave Jump technology to the Luriani. {{Page cite|name= Gateway to Destiny |page=9}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-5430]]
 +
| [[Vilani]]
 +
| Vilani develop the first known Jump-2 drive, but keep the technology secret from non-Vilani trading partners; Vilani core worlds reach {{TL|11}}. {{Page cite|name= The Travellers' Digest 05 |page=49 |version=Classic Traveller}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-5415]]
 +
| [[Zhodani]]
 +
| The [[Zhodani]] of {{WorldS|Zhdant|Zhodane|2719}} develop a Jump-1 drive while working on [[fusion power]] sources in their [[asteroid belt]]. {{Page cite|name= Expedition to Zhodane |page=41 |version=Classic Traveller}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-4698]]
 +
| [[Hiver]]
 +
| The [[Hiver]] of {{WorldS|Guaran|Ricenden|0827}} develop inferior jump-1 drive, which would melt down to slag after a few uses (no more than ten). {{Page cite|name=Hivers|version=Classic Traveller|page=17}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-4212]]
 +
| [[Hiver]]
 +
| Hiver scientists develop the standard jump-1 drive. {{Page cite|name=Hivers|version=Classic Traveller|page=17}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-4142]]
 +
| [[K'kree]]
 +
| K'kree of {{WorldS|Kirur|Ruupiin|1315}} begin experimenting with jump-1 capable starships. {{Page cite|name=Library Data (N-Z)|page=26}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-3810]]
 +
| [[Vargr]]
 +
| Vargr of {{WorldS|Lair|Provence|2402}} discover jump-1 drive on during the Colonial Rebellion. {{Page cite|name=Vargr|version=Classic Traveller|page=4}}
 +
|-
 +
| c[[-2800]]
 +
| [[Zhodani]], [[Vargr]]
 +
| Zhodani encounter the Vargr in Gvurrdon sector, accidentally giving them more advanced jump technology. {{Page cite|name=Zhodani|verison=Mongoose Traveller|page=67}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-2431]]
 +
| [[Solomani]]
 +
| Terrans of {{WorldS|Terra (SR 1827)|Solomani Rim|1827}} develop jump drive. They use jump-1 drive solely for in-system use, due to the nearest star (Alpha Centauri) being jump-2 distance. {{Page cite|name=Solomani|version=Classic Traveller|page=4,18}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-2398]]
 +
| [[Solomani]]
 +
| Terrans develop jump-2 drives; Terran Confederation overall at {{TL|11}}.{{Page cite|name=Referee's Companion|page=34}}
 +
|-
 +
| c[[-2285]]
 +
| [[Solomani]]
 +
| Terrans develop jump-3 drive and early meson weapons (early TL-12). {{Page cite|name=Rim of Fire|page=43}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[-1999]]
 +
| [[Aslan]]
 +
| Yerlyaruiwo and Khaukheairl clans cooperate to develop jump-1 drive for Aslan on Kusyu (Dark Nebula 1226); beginning of Aslan Era of Expansion.{{Page cite|name=Aslan|version=Classic Traveller|page=3,35}}{{Page cite|name=Solomani & Aslan|page=14,15}}
 +
|-
 +
| c[[-1400]]
 +
| [[Aslan]]
 +
| Aslan at {{TL|11}} (jump-2). {{Page cite|name=Aslan|version=Mongoose Traveller|page=58}}
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== See Also ==
 
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br>
 
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br>
 
'''[[Starship]]:'''  
 
'''[[Starship]]:'''  
Line 12: Line 222:
 
{{:Referral-Tree-Impulse-Drives}}
 
{{:Referral-Tree-Impulse-Drives}}
 
{{:Referral-Tree-Interstellar-Drives}}
 
{{:Referral-Tree-Interstellar-Drives}}
−
----
 
 
'''[[Jump Space]] [[Drive]]s:'''
 
'''[[Jump Space]] [[Drive]]s:'''
 
{{:Referral-Tree-Jump-Space-Drives}}
 
{{:Referral-Tree-Jump-Space-Drives}}
  
−
== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
+
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
−
Jump technology enables a ship to transition into [[Jump Space]] and emerge some great distance away within a reasonable time [...effectively multiples of 170 times the speed of light over 168 hours (+/- 10%)]. [[Jump drive]], and its many variations, makes interstellar flight practical. Those who do not discover the jump drive are condemned to snail-paced [[NAFAL]] movement between the [[star]]s. {{Page cite|name=T5 Core Rules|citeName=Traveller 5th|page=502}}
+
{{Metadata}}
 +
{{Advanced}}
 +
{{Sources
 +
|reviewed = 19:18, 30 November 2020 (EST)
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name=Starships|version=Classic Traveller|page=1,4}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name=High Guard|version=Classic Traveller|page=17}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=34-38|article=Jumpspace}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Jumpspace 2 |page= |article= Jump Fuel Allocation}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Players' Manual|version=MegaTraveller|page=39}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Referee's Manual|page=52}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Challenge 55|article=Going Places (Barely)|page= 12-21}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Starship Operator's Manual|page=10-24}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion, & Steel|page=42}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= The Regency Sourcebook|page=76-77}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion & Steel|page=12}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= GURPS Traveller Core Rules|page= 14,44,120-121,157}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Far Trader|version=GURPS Traveller|page=59-60}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Interstellar Wars|version=GURPS Traveller|page=169-172}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Core Rule Book|version=New Traveller|page=147-149}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= High Guard|version=New Traveller|page=14-15}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=111-121}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= The Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 2|version=New Traveller|article=Jump Space|page=122-128}}
 +
| {{Ludography cite|name= The Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 3|version=New Traveller|article=Jump Drive operations|page=9-16}}
 +
| Contributor: [[User:WHULorigan|WHULorigan]]
 +
| Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
[[Category: Ship Equipment]]
 +
{{LE|Drive|Good|Propulsion|Technology|Transportation}}
 +
{{LEN|FTL}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
----
 +
----
 +
----
 +
 
 +
 
  
−
Ships in jump are isolated, and can not detect or communicate anything; they are totally isolated in a small bubble of [[jumpspace]] until they reemerge into our [[universe]] again. Even if two ships side by side (far enough apart to avoid field interference) jump at the same instant, they are totally alone. Cases of field overlap (interference) have been known to result in direction error, range error, system damage, or ship destruction, and is advised against.
 
  
−
A standard Imperial [[jump drive]] consists of four components:
 
−
# A high-yield fusion [[power plant]]
 
−
# An energy sink of [[zuchai crystal]]s
 
−
# A [[jump governor]]
 
−
# A [[lanthanum]]-doped [[hull grid]]
 
  
−
=== Jump Drive Specifications ===
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="3"| Jump Drive Specifications ([[Starship]] Propulsion)
 
−
|-
 
−
! Category
 
−
! Specifications
 
−
! Remarks
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Name
 
−
| [[Jump Drive]]
 
−
| Only the six [[Major Race]]s are believed to have independently developed [[FTL]] propulsion.
 
−
* Jump travel is not well understood.
 
−
* Most believe it to be a gravitic effect.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Drive Type
 
−
| [[Jump Space]] Traverse
 
−
| [[Jump Space]], also known as ('''J-Space''' or '''Tau (τ)-Space'''), is not well understood.
 
−
* [[Starship]]s enter this other dimension where [[Light Speed]] can be exceeded or is otherwise undefined relative to [[normal space]] ([[N-space]]).
 
−
* Some theoretical physicists prefer to call it ''Alternate Space'' or ''Other Space''.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Velocity
 
−
| Multiples of [[Light Speed]]
 
−
* 170.0c (±20.0c jump variance)
 
−
| One [[parsec]]  (3.27 [[light-year]]s or one [[Astrographic Hex]]) per week per drive rating.
 
−
* Effectively measured in multiples of 170 times the [[speed of light]] {{Page cite|citeName=Traveller 5th}}
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Duration
 
−
| Determinate (fixed)
 
−
* 168 hours (+/- 10%)
 
−
|
 
−
[[Starship]]s remain in [[jump space]] for roughly a week no matter the distance traversed by the jump.
 
−
* [[Starship]]s can coordinate jump travel with exact timing.
 
−
* While jumps can be coordinated, ships cannot travel together.
 
−
* All [[starship]]s in J-space appear alone and isolated.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Hazards
 
−
|
 
−
* Gravity wells
 
−
* [[Misjump]]s
 
−
* [[Sophont]]-made obstructions
 
−
| [[Misjump]]s can vary greatly in their effects.
 
−
* Some misjumps seem to involve chronotaxistic (time dilation) effects.
 
−
* Many misjumps involve unintended travel distances out of all proportion within J-6 limitations.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Physical<br> Constraints
 
−
| Minkowski (Special relativity)
 
−
| Four-dimensional travel (3 of space, 1 of time) known as ''[[Space-time]]''.
 
−
* Not purely Euclidean in nature.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Geometry
 
−
| Hyperbolic (Lobachevsky)
 
−
| J-Space does not seem to be constrained by conventional [[space-time]] limitations.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Levels
 
−
| 90+
 
−
* Please see: [[Jump Drive/meta]]
 
−
| It is conjectured that higher ''Other-Space'' levels have tighter weaves.
 
−
* This is conjectured to allow exponentially faster travel.
 
−
* J-6 drives can only travel through the first six levels.
 
−
* It is hypothesized that J-9 drives will be feasible in the near future.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| [[FTL]] <br> Calculations
 
−
| 30 minutes to <br> 24 hours estimated
 
−
| Jump calculations can differ greatly depending on the skill of the [[astrogator]], the quality of the astrogational [[computer]] & related [[astronics]], and a variety of other factors.
 
−
* The [[Ancients]] are conjectured to have been restrained by none of these limitations. It is thought that they could make near-instantaneous jumps over distances utterly impossible with TL-15 jump [[technology]].
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Entry
 
−
| Non-determinant (not fixed)
 
−
* (Non-gravitic space)
 
−
| Entry into [[Jump Space]] has a (100 diameter constraint of a gravity well).
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Exit
 
−
| Non-determinant (not fixed)
 
−
* (Non-gravitic space)
 
−
| Exit from [[Jump Space]] has a (100 diameter constraint of a gravity well).
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Fuel
 
−
|
 
−
* [[Hydrogen]]
 
−
* (Electrical energy)
 
−
| [[Fusion Plus]] powerplants are used in most [[starship]]s for electrical power generation.
 
−
* Higher rated jump drives require much larger fuel supplies.
 
−
* A basic rule of thumb is that a starship requires fuel storage equal to its rating as a percentage of mass.
 
−
* Thus, a J-6 equipped starship will require 60% of its mass in fuel while a J-1 only requires 10%.
 
−
* [[Collector]]s possible at TL-14+
 
−
* Antimatter conjectured to be available at TL-19+
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Resource<br> Requirements
 
−
|
 
−
* [[Lanthanum]]
 
−
* [[Zuchai Crystal]]s
 
−
| Strategic resources vital to the manufacture of Jump Drives.
 
−
* While [[Lanthanum]] and [[Zuchai Crystal]]s are common to most [[starship]]s, some races have experimented with other strategic materials.
 
−
* The [[Vargr]], for instance, have experimented with Barium jump drives with some success.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Inventor/s
 
−
| Various
 
−
| Some have conjectured that the [[Ancients]] created the very first Jump Drive known to higher intelligent life ([[Sophont]]s) and [[Charted Space]].
 
−
* Each of the [[Major Race]]s is held to have independently developed their own initial Jump Drive.
 
−
* Other [[sophont]] species are referred to as [[Minor Race]]s and are believed to have derived their first Jump Drive from interstellar trade, reverse-engineered [[technology]], or other non-independent origins.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| Characteristics
 
−
|
 
−
* (No FTL communication possible)
 
−
* (No FTL weaponry possible)
 
−
| [[Sophont]] minds seem to be required for efficient jump travel. Non-sophont-crewed [[starship]]s seem to function far less reliably.
 
−
* Jump drive-equipped starships cannot be manufactured under 100 tons. This may change in the future.
 
−
* [[FTL]] weaponry does not exist with current TL-15 [[technology]].
 
−
** Jump torpedos or drones (unmanned vehicles or weapons), under 100 tons, do not work with current TL-15 [[technology]].
 
−
* [[FTL]] communications, often called the [[Ansible]], are not possible with current TL-15 [[technology]].
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
=== Jump Drive Travel Time Table ===
 
=== Jump Drive Travel Time Table ===
Line 262: Line 388:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
−
=== Jump Drive Notes ===
 
−
A number of lesser facts about jump drives are noted here:
 
−
:{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
!colspan="3"| Jump Drive Notes
 
−
|-
 
−
! #
 
−
! Note
 
−
! Remarks
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| 1.
 
−
| Alternate Energy Sources:
 
−
| There are two other sources of energy sufficient to power the jump drive: [[Collector]]s, a {{TL|14}} technology, which can power the jump drive but not the rest of a ship's systems; and [[Antimatter]] power plants, a {{TL|19}} technology.  Antimatter power plants use antimatter as a fuel source, while Collectors are charged by opening their canopies to space for about one week.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| 2.
 
−
| Fuel Requirements:
 
−
| [[Starship]]s must generate immense amounts of power to jump; usually, this power is supplied by the standard ship's power plant.  In this case, additional fuel must be allocated for employment of the jump drive, at the rate of 10% of the ship's tonnage per parsec to travel via jump.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| 3.
 
−
| J-7 Drive and Up:
 
−
| Jump-7 drives are a {{TL|16}} and {{TL|17}} technology; the pre-[[Maghiz]] [[Darrian]]s had some J-7 ships. Jump-8 is theoretically possible at {{TL|18}}, and Jump-9 at {{TL|19}}.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| 4.
 
−
| Strategic Resource: [[Lanthanum]]
 
−
| Most conventional jump drives rely on the ''rare earth'' element Lanthanum.
 
−
* Please see [[Lanthanum]] for more information.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| 5.
 
−
| [[Misjump]]s:
 
−
| Study of misjump reports suggests that much greater distances are possible, but at present no way to achieve them in a controllable way is known. Research is ongoing concerning the matter. The maximum misjump reported is 36 [[parsec]]s. The average misjump is approximately 12.25 parsecs, deduced from the study of statistical records.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| 6.
 
−
| Travel Duration:
 
−
| Every ship stays in jump for around one week before entering normal space again.
 
−
|- valign="top"
 
−
| 7.
 
−
| Travel Range:
 
−
| The distance traveled during this time depends on the jump rating of the drive. A ship with a Jump-1 Drive will travel one [[parsec]], a ship with a Jump-2 Drive two parsecs and so on. The maximum jump rating at the attainable [[tech level]] of the [[Third Imperium]] is six [[parsec]]s at J-6 and TL-15.
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
−
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 
−
The ''Jump Drive'' was first discovered by the [[Ancients]] more than 300,000 years ago. With it they explored the greater part of [[Charted Space]]. At the conclusion of the [[Final War]], the Ancients' jump [[technology]] was lost, although intact (damaged) [[artifact]]s were found later on, and reverse-engineered to create jump drives of a more primitive nature than their source [[technology]].
 
−
* Please see '''[[Jump Drive History]]''' for more information.
 
−
 
−
=== Technological Overview of Projected Propulsion Technology ===
 
−
''Expected Drive Development Sequence: [[NAFAL]] to [[FTL]]''
 
−
* [[Relativistic Drive]] ([[NAFAL]]) → [[Jump Drive]] → [[Hop Drive]] → [[Skip Drive]] → [[Leap Drive]] → [[Bound Drive]] → [[Vault Drive]] → [[Six Drive]] → [[Seven Drive]] → [[Eight Drive]] → [[Nine Drive]]
 
−
 
−
=== Jump Drive Basics ===
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="3"| Jump Drive Basics
 
−
|-
 
−
! #
 
−
! Topic
 
−
! Remarks
 
−
|-
 
−
| 1.
 
−
| Basic Astrogation
 
−
| Jump distances are calculated in [[parsec]]s (3.27 light-years), which therefore is the scale of a subsector mapping grid. Jump-1, for example, indicates the ability to jump up to one parsec, or one mapping hex. Astrogational maps are based on this fact and are not accurately scaled maps for astronomical purposes.
 
−
* Please see [[Astrography]] for a related data.
 
−
|-
 
−
| 2.
 
−
| Civilian Starship Drives
 
−
| Most civilian starships have a jump rating of 1 or 2, with rare vessels equipped for express work carrying systems capable of 3 or 4; such ships operate for premium fees on long routes where speed is of the essence. Long routes tolerating longer delivery times use the usual jump1, but additional tankage to permit crossing [[rift]]s or [[void]]s to other lucrative destinations.
 
−
* in the 3rd Imperium it is so uncommon for a civilian ship to mount J-5 or J-6 that it draws the attention of Imperial authority as a curiosity worthy of review, if not close monitoring.
 
−
|-
 
−
| 3.
 
−
| Jump Point Defenses
 
−
| ''Jump Point Defenses:'' It is not a safe practice, as the emergence point tends to have other ships approaching it for intended use; therefore emergence at speed is known to have resulted in fatal mishaps, and is therefore a serious violation of civil navigation codes with stiff penalties. These do not apply to the Navy of course... who tend to place ''obstacles'' around possessed jump points with exactly this sort of thing in mind.
 
−
|-
 
−
| 4.
 
−
| Jump Tracking
 
−
| Extremely talented [[astrogator]]s can make a reasonably accurate guess as to the destination of a jumping ship if it is observed before jumping. This is based on observation of neutrino emissions and the shape of the inflating hydrogen bubble as well as the heading at the time of jump. What is true is that [[starship]]s maintain the same general heading, attitude, and velocity at the time of egress from [[jumpspace]] as it had upon entry.
 
−
* Such destination extrapolation is more an [[art]] than a [[science]] and even the most talented and skilled [[astrogator]]s still make mistakes.
 
−
|-
 
−
| 5.
 
−
| Jump Travel Risks
 
−
| ''General Risks:'' Although jumps are usually entered at low velocities, the speed and direction which a ship held prior to jump is retained when it returns to normal space. This fact is often employed for tactical purposes. Ships exiting jump space are vulnerable to collision with objects around an exit point. It is not a safe practice, as the emergence point tends to have other ships approaching it for intended use; therefore emergence at speed is known to have resulted in fatal mishaps, and is therefore a serious violation of civil navigation codes with stiff penalties.
 
−
|-
 
−
| 6.
 
−
| Manoeuvre Whilst in Jump
 
−
| A ship may change it's vector and velocity while in Jump Space.
 
−
* ''Gravity:'' Jump Space bubbles do not allow interaction with Gravity and thus gravity based systems such as [[M-Drive]] are unusable while in [[Jump Space]].
 
−
* ''Vector Change:'' Nongravity based manoeuvre drives are effective within Jump Space and thus may allow changes to vector and velocity.
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
−
=== Jump Drive Technology Timeline ===
 
−
These are some of the important dates recorded as to when certain sophont cultures have acquired the jump drive:
 
−
* Please note that not all dates may be entirely accurate.
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="3"| Jump Drive Technology Timeline <br> ([[Imperial Calendar|Imperial Dates]])
 
−
|-
 
−
! Date
 
−
! Culture
 
−
! Details
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-350000" style="text-align: right;" | c. &minus;350&#8202;000 *
 
−
| Droyne
 
−
| [[Droyne]] achieve TL10 on their homeworld; although Jump drive is often available at that level, they have not yet discovered it. [''Adventure 12 [[Secret of the Ancients]]'', GDW, 1984, p. 42.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-320000" style="text-align: right;" | c. &minus;320&#8202;000 *
 
−
| Ancients
 
−
| The [[Ancient]]s inhabit the general region of the [[Spinward Marches Sector|Spinward Marches]] and explore all of [[Charted Space]]. [''Adventure 1 [[The Kinunir]]'', GDW, 1979, p. 38.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-9300" style="text-align: right;" | &minus;9300 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Geonee
 
−
| The [[Geonee]] on [[Shiwonee|Shiwonee (world)]] reach early TL9. [''[[Humaniti]]'', SJG, 2003, p. 68.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-9270" style="text-align: right;" | &minus;9270 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Geonee
 
−
| Geonee discover a derilict Ancient starship in a planetoid belt in the Shiwonee system. [''[[Humaniti]]'', SJG, 2003, p. 68.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-9240" style="text-align: right;" | &minus;9240 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Geonee
 
−
| Geonee starships, based on reverse-engineered Ancient technology, explore the [[Stenardee|Stenardee (world)]] cluster, and discover Ancient artifacts, and remains of Geonee and [[Chirper]]s. [''[[Humaniti]]'', SJG, 2003, p. 68.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-9235" style="text-align: right;" | &minus;9235 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Vilani
 
−
| The [[Vilani]] on [[Vland|Vland (world)]] discovers the Jump-1 drive. [''Supplement 8 [[Library Data (A-M)]]'', GDW, 1981, p. 27.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-9000" style="text-align: right;" | c. &minus;9000 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Vilani
 
−
| Vilani explorers contact the Geonee, and discover that they have Jump technology not of Vilani origin. [''[[The Travellers' Digest 11]]'', DGP, 1988, p. 8.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-8600" style="text-align: right;" | c. &minus;8600 *
 
−
| Vilani
 
−
| Vilani discover that the Geonee Jump drive was reverse-engineered from a derelict Ancient starship. [''[[Alien - Vilani & Vargr]], the Coreward Races'', DGP, 1990, p. 18.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-7000" style="text-align: right;" | c. &minus;7000 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Droyne
 
−
| Droyne first observed using Jump technology; new colonies established, including [[Vanejen (world)|Vanejen]]. [''Adventure 2 [[Research Station Gamma]]'', GDW, 1980, p. 43.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-7000" style="text-align: right;" | c. &minus;6000 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Vegan
 
−
| [[Vegan]]s receive Jump technology from Vilani traders. [''Supplement 11 [[Library Data (N-Z)]]'', GDW, 1981, p. 29.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-5450" style="text-align: right;" | &minus;5450 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Luriani
 
−
| [[Luriani]] receive Jump technology from an unknown race. [''[[Gateway to Destiny]]'', QLI, 2004, p. 9.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-5435" style="text-align: right;" | &minus;5435 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Luriani
 
−
| A [[Sharurshid]] fleet discovers that the Luriani have acquired Jump technology. The Vilani launch an investigation to discover who gave Jump technology to the Luriani. [''[[Gateway to Destiny]]'', QLI, 2004, p. 9.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-5430" style="text-align: right;" | &minus;5430 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Vilani
 
−
| Vilani develop the first known (post-Ancients) Jump-2 drive, but keep the technology secret from non-Vilani trading partners; Vilani core worlds reach TL11. [''[[The Travellers' Digest 5]]'', DGP, 1986, p. 49.]
 
−
|-
 
−
| data-sort-value="-5415" style="text-align: right;" | &minus;5415 <span style="color: transparent;">*</span>
 
−
| Zhodani
 
−
| The [[Zhodani]] develop a Jump-1 drive on [[Zhdant (world)|Zhdant]] while working on fusion power sources in their asteroid belt. [Adventure 6 ''[[Expedition to Zhodane]]'', GDW, 1981, p. 41.]
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
−
'''*''' These dates were inferred by [[Donald McKinney]], author of the ''[[Traveller Integrated Timeline|Integrated Timeline]]'', in that book. The book is also the immediate source of the entries in this table.
 
−
 
−
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
 
−
{{Metadata}}
 
−
{{Advanced}}
 
−
{{Sources
 
−
|S1= This article is an amalgamation of many different materials published since 1977.
 
−
|S2= {{Ludography cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24|page=34—38|article=Jumpspace}}
 
−
|S3= {{Ludography cite|name= Referee's Manual|page=52}}
 
−
|S4= {{Ludography cite|name= Jumpspace 2 |page= TBD |article= Jump Fuel Allocation}}
 
−
|S5= {{Ludography cite|name= Starship Operator's Manual|page=10—24}}
 
−
|S6= {{Ludography cite|name= Challenge 55|article=Going Places (Barely)|page= TBD}}
 
−
|S7= {{Ludography cite|name= Starships|version=Marc Miller's Traveller|page=70}}
 
−
|S8= {{Ludography cite|name= GURPS Traveller Core Rules|page= TBD}}
 
−
|S9= {{Ludography cite|name= T5 Core Rules|page=333—341}}
 
−
|S10= {{Ludography cite|name= Agent of the Imperium|page= TBD}}
 
−
|S11= {{Ludography cite|name= Traveller Integrated Timeline|page=8, 12—19, 23—25, 31—39, 41—43, 46, 62, 69, 73, 76, 85—90, 95, 106, 112, 114}}
 
−
|S12= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
 
−
|S13= Author & Contributor: [[User:WHULorigan|WHULorigan]]
 
−
|S14= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
 
−
}}
 
−
 
−
 
−
[[Category: Ship Equipment]]
 
−
{{LE|Drive|Good|Propulsion|Transportation Technology|Transportation}}
 
−
{{LEN|FTL}}
 

Revision as of 01:37, 14 May 2021

Jump-FTL-WH-Keith-CT-Starter-Trav-Pg-28 03-July-2018a.jpg

The Jump Drive (also known as a J-Drive) is an Interstellar Drive which allows for Faster-than-light (FTL) travel, making space travel, exploration, and colonization vastly quicker and more efficient.

Description (Specifications)

The central theory of the jump drive operation is the idea of jump space, a method of quickly traversing the long distances between stars. The basic concept of jump space is that of an alternate space. Theoretically, jump spaces are alternate universes, each only dimly understood from the standpoint of our own universe. Within jump space, different physical laws apply, making energy costs for reactions and activity different and imposing a different scale on size and distance. [1]

Jump is defined as the movement of matter and energy from one point in space (called real space', normal space or N-Space) to another point in normal space by traveling through an alternate space (called jump space or J-Space). The benefit of jump is the time required to execute a jump is relatively invariant — about one week. [1]

Jump distances are calculated in parsecs (3.27 light-years). Jump-1, for example, indicates the ability to jump one parsec. Jump numbers range from 1 to 6; higher jump numbers are not possible in ordinary usage, although misjumps can carry ships over greater distances.[2]

Jump takes 168 hours (± 10%) to complete. The time is related to the nature of the alternate space being traveled in, and to the energy applied. Where time is a variable in travel in normal space, energy is a variable in jump space; time is a constant. Consequently, distance depends on the energy applied. [1] The duration of a jump is fixed at the instant jump begins, and depends on the specific jump space entered, the energy input into the system, and on other factors.[3]. The exact time of emergence is usually predicted by the ship's computers.

Jump drives require fuel, displacement mass, and coolant, all of which are collectively called jump fuel (liquid hydrogen being used for all three functions). [4] Fuel used for ships is hydrogen, which is available in the atmospheres of gas giants (similar to Saturn or Jupiter) or from oceans of water. [2] The amount of fuel required for a successful jump is equal to 10% of the displacement of the ship per parsec of jump distance attempted. [5]

Jump drive machinery requirements are tied to the volume of the hull and the maximum distance the drive is capable of jumping the ship. There are upper limits on how many parsecs a ship may jump based on the Technology Level of the drive. [4]

Gravity has extraordinary effects on the function of the jump drive. Jump transitions to jump space are severely scrambled within the stresses of a gravity well; the transition cannot usually take place within the stresses of a gravity well. When it does, the turbulence created by the gravity well makes the results unpredictable.[6] Entering jump space is possible anywhere but the pertubing effects of gravity make it impractical to begin a jump within a gravity field of more than certain specific limits based on size, density, and distance. The general rule of thumb is a distance of at least 100 diameters out from a world or star (including a safety margin).[1] This limit is referred to as the 100 diameter (abbreviated as 100D) limit and referred to as an absolute requirement rather than a safety guideline.

One of the benefits of the Jump Drive is controlability; jump is predictable. When known levels of energy are expended, and certain other parameters are known with precision, jump drive is accurate to less than one part per ten billion. Over a jump distance of one parsec the arrival point of a ship can be predicted within perhaps 3,000 kilometers.[1]

The laws of conservation of mass and energy continue to operate on ships which have jumped; when a ship exits jump it retains the speed and direction it had when it entered jump. Commercial ships, for safety reasons, generally reduce their velocity to zero before jumping. Military and Courier ships often enter jump at a high speed and aim for an end point of a jump which directs their vector toward their destination in the new system. Such a maneuver allows constant acceleration in the originating system, followed by constant deceleration in the destination system. [6]

Jump Drive Components

An operating jump drive requires several basic components:

Power Source
Jump uses large amounts of energy to open the barriers between normal space and jump space.
Energy Storage
Once power is generated it must be stored until the instant of Jump.
Strong Hull
The hull of a starship must be constructed to withstand normal space and the rigors of Jump Space.
Computer
Jump drives have precise power requirements which can only be met if the power is fed under computer control. The calculations needed for a jump require a high level of accuracy.

Types of Jump Drive design

Jump Bubble
A Jump Bubble creates a spherical, or egg-shaped oblate spheroid, field around the ship and centered on the jump drive. Jump Bubble is the standard for generating a Jump Field; it does not interfere with armor and produces a standard jump flash. Jump Bubble allows a ship to vary its effective tonnage from mission to mission (which makes Drop Tanks and Variable Jump Container Ships possible). [7]
Jump Grid
A closely-conforming Jump Grid channels jump energy through a mesh of conduits and cables embedded in the hull. Jump Grid allows a reduced safe jump distance, making it possible for a ship to jump closer to a gravity source. On the other hand, the Jump Grid reduces the strength of armor and increases telltale jump flash. [7]

Alternate Energy Sources

There are two other sources of energy sufficient to power the jump drive:

  • Collectors, a TL–14 technology, which can power the jump drive but not the rest of a ship's systems. Collectors are charged by opening their canopies to space for about one week.
  • Antimatter Plant, a TL–19 technology. Antimatter power plants use antimatter as a fuel source and capable of supplying the power required for jump drives without the huge volumes of Hydrogen fuel required for the fusion power plants.

Jump Tapes

Jump navigation requires some very advanced mathematics and a great deal of computer "number crunching". Every jump is different and a great deal of careful planning and computation has to be done before the jump drive can be turned on. [8]

During the First Imperium the Vilani developed and widely used a computational short-cut. A jump tape is designed for one origin-destination pair of star system. It contains some pre-computed parameters that apply to any jump from the origin system to the destination system. Even with a jump tape some computational work must still be done, but the work is much easier for the navigator. [8]

A jump tape is a specialized version of the Jump Program tuned for one specific pair of systems. The use of jump tapes has declined to almost nothing by the end of Third Imperium and vanishes thereafter.

Jump Drive Operation

The typical jump begins on a world surface or orbit when the ship prepares to leave. The ship leaves the world and proceeds to a point more than 100 diameters out. Along the way the astrogator has been preparing for jump using the computer. A jump destination has been selected. The computer is fed the coordinates and controlling data. [3]

Once the astrogrator knows which star system, they select a specific destination based on one of several different principles: central star, mainworld, some other world (or body), an orbit within a system, a range band from a world, or an arbitrary Point Alpha. [9]

The starting and ending points (in Real Space) are connected by a Courseline (specifically for Jump Drives called a Jumpline): a straight line course traced in Real Space. A Course cannot be changed once begun. A straight line course cannot pass through a bubble surrounding a mass of any appreciable size (within Safe Jump Distance of a gravity source larger than the ship; gravity sources smaller than the ship have no effect). [10]

When the jump drive is activated a large store of fuel is fed through the ship's power plant to create the energy necessary. In a few minutes the jump drive capacitors have been charged to capacity. Under computer control the energy is then fed into the appropriate sections of the jump drive and jump begins. [3]

A ship entering Jump Space emits an active flash of broad spectrum energy. The ship’s gravitational signature vanishes from any sensors. Entry Flash is subject to lightspeed and lasts about a minute at peak strength. [11]. With good analysis of the sensor information, the burst reveals the approximate size of the ship, and the time it left the system, and the direction of the jump (but not its distance). [12]

During the week in jump the responsiblities of the crew are directed toward maintaining life support within the ship, repair and maintenance of some ship systems, and care of the passengers.

At the end of the week in jump the ship naturally preciptated out of jump space and into normal space. Exit (also called Breakout, or Precipitation, or Transition) is the transition from Jump Space back to real space. The field sustaining the Jump effect collapses and the ship transitions to Real Space. [13]

Exit from Jump occurs without any specific input or control activity from the ship. Just before Exit, the jump drive shows signs of the jump ending (through decreased energy levels, increased vibration levels, and other readings). Rumblings occur about one hour before Exit; their absence is a sign that Breakout will be delayed; their early occurrence is a sign that Breakout will be premature.[13]

A ship leaving Jump Space emits an active flash of broad spectrum energy which is slightly less intense than an Entry Flash. The ship’s gravitational signature appears on any sensors. Exit Flash is subject to lightspeed and lasts about a minute at peak strength. [13] The energy pulse can reveal the approximate size of the ship and the time it entered the system.[12]

Because of the delicacy of jump drives, most ships perform maintenance operations on their drives after every jump. It is possible for a ship to make another jump almost immediately (within an hour) after returning to normal space, but standard procedures call for at least a 16 hour wait to allow cursory drive checks and some recharging.[2]

Microjump

Any jump of less than one parsec is considered a microjump. Usually these are used to travel to distant parts within a system. For example between the two stars in a distant binary. The Terrans used the practice of microjumps within their own system after inventing the jump drive. A microjump has the same power and fuel requirements as a normal 1 parsec jump.

Synchronized Jumps

A military fleet maneuver the synchronized jump overcomes the problem of having a fleet jump into a system and ships exit jump over the span of several hours to a day or more. The process requires all the ships in the fleet calculate their jump simultaneously, and jump at the same time. When done correctly the ships in the fleet all arrive within two or three hours of each other.

Jump point masking

Jump point masking occurs when the 100D limit of another astronomical body blocks (masks) the jump point of the main world. If the jump line intercepts the 100D limit the ship would be precipitated out of jumpspace well short of the destination. Astrogators must plot a course which just skims the 100D limit of these other bodies and usually requires significant additional flight time in Normal space to get to a clear jump point.

Deep Space Jumps

The mathematics of jump navigation is much simpler when there is a large mass, a star or large planet, in normal space close to each end of the jump. A Deep space jump is one where one or both ends of the jump is in deep interstellar space, far away from from any such massive object. The Vilani during the First Imperium never managed to discover the process of safely plotting deep space jumps. It was only late in the Second Imperium era the safe navigational procedures were developed for deep space jumping.

Interstellar space is not completely empty. Astromomers may be able to find massive objects even in the empty spaces of interstellar space; rogue planets, large comets, or cool brown dwarf stars. When found and occupied, these object are known as jump points or calibration points.

Calibration points are located in deep interstellar space, light-years from the nearest significant body. At the simplest level they consist of a natural source of hydrogen, typically a comet nucleus or other icy body, but rogue planets are rarely found and used. These natural calibration points are discovered and exploited. [14]

Misjump

The most interesting event which can occur is the misjump, in which the jump drive malfunctions. At the instant of jump, a jump drive which is: a) within 100 diameters of a world or star, b) operating on unrefined fuel, or c) operating without annual maintenance may malfunction, resulting in a jump of random length and direction. A misjump involves a considerable random jump.[15]

The most common case of a failed jump attempt results in a simple failure. The fuel required for the jump is expended but the transition to jump space does not occur, and the ship remains in normal space.

Failure of the Astrogator to correctly calculate their Jumpline may result in hitting a blockage, the gravity limit of a world short of their destination, or ending up in the destination system at a location much further away from their indented destination. This is known as a Misexit.

In rare cases of bad Jumpline calculations the ship exits near a solitary world, comet, or odd chunk of rock in deep space between major systems. This is known as a blocked jumpline, or blocking.

A misjump occurs when the drive fails during the initial jump process, or when a jump is failed because it is too close to another object. A misjump can take the form of no jump, a failed jump (the ship enters jumpspace, but emerges after about a week in the same place it started), or a misdirected jump, where the ship emerges from jumpspace in an unintended location, usually far in distance and location from the intended exit point (this result is different from a misexit). A failed jump and a misdirected jump are indistinguishable before the ship exits jumpspace. [12]

In the worst case the jump space entered is one that collapsed in the brief microseconds after the Big Bang — entering a jump space that is effectively a singularity destroys the ship immediately. [16]

History & Background (Dossier)

Jump-Field-Sign-T5-Fan-Andy-Bigwood 06-Oct-2019a.jpg

The Jump Drive was first discovered by the Ancients more than 300,000 years ago. With it they explored the greater part of Charted Space. At the conclusion of the Final War, the Ancients' jump technology was lost, although intact (damaged) artifacts were found later on, and reverse-engineered to create jump drives of a more primitive nature than their source technology.

Jump Drive Technology Timeline

These are some of the important dates recorded as to when certain sophont cultures have acquired the jump drive:

  • Please note that not all dates may be entirely accurate.
Jump Drive Technology Timeline
(Imperial Dates)
Date Culture Remarks
c. -350,000 * Droyne Droyne achieve TL–10 on their homeworld; although Jump drive is often available at that level, they have not yet discovered it. [17]
c. -320,000 * Ancients The Ancients inhabit the general region of the Spinward Marches and explore all of Charted Space. [18]
-9240 Geonee Geonee of Shiwonee (Massilia 1430) discover a derelict Ancient starship in a planetoid belt in the Shiwonee system. From this they reverse engineer a Jump drive and explore the Stenardee Cluster. [19]
-9235 Vilani The Vilani of Vland (Vland 1717) discovers the Jump-1 drive. [20]
c. -9000 Vilani, Geonee Vilani explorers contact the Geonee, and discover that they have Jump technology not of Vilani origin. [21]
c. -7000 Droyne Droyne first observed using Jump technology; new colonies established, including Vanejen (Spinward Marches 3119). [22]
-6150 S'mrii S'mrii of Mimu (Dagudashaag 0208) acquire jump technology from Vilani-influenced traders. [23]
-5723 Vegan Vegans of Muan Gwi (Solomani Rim 1717) acquire jump drive technology from the Geonee, a Vilani-influenced Human minor race. [24]
-5583 Ziadd A Ziadd (of Zeda (Dagudashaag 0721)) ship performs the first in-system jump, copying the recovered design from wrecked Vilani scouts. [25]
-5450 Luriani Luriani receive Jump technology from an unknown race. [26][27]
-5435 Luriani A Sharurshid fleet discovers that the Luriani have acquired Jump technology. The Vilani launch an investigation to discover who gave Jump technology to the Luriani. [28]
-5430 Vilani Vilani develop the first known Jump-2 drive, but keep the technology secret from non-Vilani trading partners; Vilani core worlds reach TL–11. [29]
-5415 Zhodani The Zhodani of Zhdant (Zhodane 2719) develop a Jump-1 drive while working on fusion power sources in their asteroid belt. [30]
-4698 Hiver The Hiver of Guaran (Ricenden 0827) develop inferior jump-1 drive, which would melt down to slag after a few uses (no more than ten). [31]
-4212 Hiver Hiver scientists develop the standard jump-1 drive. [32]
-4142 K'kree K'kree of Kirur (Ruupiin 1315) begin experimenting with jump-1 capable starships. [33]
-3810 Vargr Vargr of Lair (Provence 2402) discover jump-1 drive on during the Colonial Rebellion. [34]
c-2800 Zhodani, Vargr Zhodani encounter the Vargr in Gvurrdon sector, accidentally giving them more advanced jump technology. [35]
-2431 Solomani Terrans of Terra (Solomani Rim 1827) develop jump drive. They use jump-1 drive solely for in-system use, due to the nearest star (Alpha Centauri) being jump-2 distance. [36]
-2398 Solomani Terrans develop jump-2 drives; Terran Confederation overall at TL–11.[37]
c-2285 Solomani Terrans develop jump-3 drive and early meson weapons (early TL-12). [38]
-1999 Aslan Yerlyaruiwo and Khaukheairl clans cooperate to develop jump-1 drive for Aslan on Kusyu (Dark Nebula 1226); beginning of Aslan Era of Expansion.[39][40]
c-1400 Aslan Aslan at TL–11 (jump-2). [41]

See Also

Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:
Starship:

Jump Space Drives:


References & Contributors (Sources)

This article has metadata.
This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Loren Wiseman. "Jumpspace." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24 (1985): 34.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Marc Miller, Frank Chadwick, John Harshman. High Guard (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 17.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Loren Wiseman. "Jumpspace." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24 (1985): 36.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Frank Chadwick, Dave Nilsen. Fire, Fusion, & Steel (Game Designers Workshop, 1994), 42.
  5. ↑ David Golden, Guy Garnett. Fire, Fusion & Steel (Imperium Games, 1997), 12.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Loren Wiseman. "Jumpspace." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24 (1985): 35.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 73.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Paul Drye, Loren Wiseman, Jon F. Zeigler. Interstellar Wars (Steve Jackson Games, 2006), 170.
  9. ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 117.
  10. ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 112.
  11. ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 118.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Loren Wiseman. GURPS Traveller Core Rules (Steve Jackson Games, 1998), 121.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 119.
  14. ↑ Dave Nilsen. The Regency Sourcebook (Game Designers Workshop, 1995), 76.
  15. ↑ Marc Miller. Starships (Game Designers Workshop, 1977), 4.
  16. ↑ Loren Wiseman. "Jumpspace." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 24 (1985): 37.
  17. ↑ Marc Miller. Secret of the Ancients (Game Designers Workshop, 1984), 42.
  18. ↑ Marc Miller. The Kinunir (Game Designers Workshop, 1979), 38.
  19. ↑ Loren Wiseman, Jon F. Zeigler. Humaniti (Steve Jackson Games, 2003), 68.
  20. ↑ John Harshman, Marc Miller, Loren Wiseman. Library Data (A-M) (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 27.
  21. ↑ Gary L. Thomas. The Travellers' Digest 11 (Digest Group Publications, 1989), 8.
  22. ↑ Marc Miller. Research Station Gamma (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 43.
  23. ↑ Jae Campbell, Leighton Piper. Signal-GK 01 (Signal-GK, 1989), 58.
  24. ↑ David L. Pulver. Solomani Rim (Mongoose Publishing, 2012), 3.
  25. ↑ Jae Campbell. Signal-GK 09 (Signal-GK, 1994), 11.
  26. ↑ Martin Dougherty, Hunter Gordon. Gateway to Destiny (QuikLink Interactive, 2004), 9.
  27. ↑ Andrea Vallance. Luriani (Mongoose Publishing, 2012), 19.
  28. ↑ Martin Dougherty, Hunter Gordon. Gateway to Destiny (QuikLink Interactive, 2004), 9.
  29. ↑ Gary L. Thomas. The Travellers' Digest 05 (Digest Group Publications, 1986), 49.
  30. ↑ Marc Miller. Expedition to Zhodane (Game Designers Workshop, 1981), 41.
  31. ↑ J. Andrew Keith, Marc W. Miller, Loren Wiseman. Hivers (Game Designers Workshop, 1986), 17.
  32. ↑ J. Andrew Keith, Marc W. Miller, Loren Wiseman. Hivers (Game Designers Workshop, 1986), 17.
  33. ↑ John Harshman, Marc Miller, Loren Wiseman. Library Data (N-Z) (Game Designers Workshop, 1982), 26.
  34. ↑ J. Andrew Keith, Marc Miller, John Harshman. Vargr (Game Designers Workshop, 1984), 4.
  35. ↑ Don McKinney. Zhodani (Mongoose Publishing, 2011), 67.J. Andrew Keith, Marc Miller, John Harshman. Zhodani (Game Designers Workshop, 1985), 67.
  36. ↑ John Harshman, Marc Miller. Solomani (Game Designers Workshop, 1986), 4,18.
  37. ↑ Marc Miller. Referee's Companion (Game Designers Workshop, 1988), 34.
  38. ↑ Jon F. Zeigler. Rim of Fire (Steve Jackson Games, 2000), 43.
  39. ↑ J. Andrew Keith, Marc Miller, John Harshman. Aslan (Game Designers Workshop, 1984), 3,35.
  40. ↑ Peter G. Celella, James Holden. Solomani & Aslan (Digest Group Publications, 1991), 14,15.
  41. ↑ Gareth Hanrahan. Aslan (Mongoose Publishing, 2009), 58.





Jump Drive Travel Time Table

Jump Drive (FTL) Estimated Travel Times
Distance: Jump-1 Jump-2 Jump-3 Jump-4 Jump-5 Jump-6
54 parsecs

(1 sector)

54 weeks

1 year

27 weeks

½ year

18 weeks

4.5 months

14 weeks

3.5 months

11 weeks

2.75 months

9 weeks

2.25 months

108 parsecs

(2 sectors)

108 weeks

2 years

54 weeks

1 year

36 weeks

9 months

27 weeks

6.75 months

22 weeks

5.5 months

18 weeks

4.5 months

162 parsecs

(3 sectors)

162 weeks

3 years

81 weeks

1.5 years

54 weeks

1 year

41 weeks

10.25 months

33 weeks

8.25 months

27 weeks

6.75 months

216 parsecs

(4 sectors)

216 weeks

4 years

108 weeks

2 years

72 weeks

1.5 years

62 weeks

15.5 months

44 weeks

11 months

36 weeks

9 months

270 parsecs

(5 sectors)

270 weeks

5 years

135 weeks

2.5 years

90 weeks

22.5 months

68 weeks

17 months

54 weeks

1 year

45 weeks

11.25 months

Jump Drive Travel Time Constants
# Note Remarks
1. Jump Duration: 1 week (168 hours +/- 10% variance)
2. Jump Velocity: 170.0c (+/- 20.0c variance)
3. Month (Time): 4 weeks (28 days by Imperial calendar)
4. Assumptions: (Top efficiency, near-instantaneous refueling, no crew fatigue, etc.)
5. Sector (Area): (size of a sector in 2D parsecs x & y coordinates)
6. Galaxy (Area): Milky Way Galaxy (estimated 55 kiloparsecs in diameter) (…over 1,000 years at J-1)
Retrieved from "http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/index.php?title=Jump_Drive&oldid=649358"