Faster-than-light

**Faster-than-light** (**FTL**) travel is the hypothetical concept of travelling faster than the speed of light (c), which is a fundamental constant of the universe. The first warp drive was invented by a human astrophysicist named Dr. Roger Palmer in the year 2300 CE. It was based on the theoretical principles of Einstein's general relativity and was able to propel ships through space at speeds faster than light. This technology was used to explore the galaxy and discover new worlds. However, due to the immense energy requirements of the warp drive and the extreme danger of travelling faster than the speed of light, FTL travel is heavily regulated and controlled by the Galactic Space Command.

## History

In the year **2300 CE**, a team of scientists led by Dr. Roger Palmer developed the first successful warp drive. This allowed humans to explore the Milky Way Galaxy at speeds faster than light. This breakthrough revolutionized space exploration as it allowed ships to traverse interstellar distances in a fraction of the time they had previously taken.

The original warp drive was capable of travelling up to three times the speed of light, though this was later increased to five times the speed of light with the development of quantum-tunneling technology. After extensive research and testing, the warp drive became a viable means of interstellar travel and was adopted by the former United Nations Space Command as the primary means of interstellar transportation.

The warp drive technology has also been used to create artificial wormholes, which can be used to instantly travel between two points in space, allowing for instantaneous interstellar travel.

### Spatial Particle Drive (SPD)

The **Spatial Particle Drive** is a revolutionary faster-than-light propulsion system developed by the Galactic Confederation. The drive utilizes tachyon particles, subatomic particles that are able to travel faster than the speed of light, as a means of propelling a spacecraft through the vastness of space.

The development of the Spatial Particle Drive was a continuation of the obsolete Palmer Drive, an earlier faster-than-light propulsion system that was limited by its reliance on traditional energy sources and the inability to effectively harness exotic particles. In contrast, the Spatial Particle Drive utilizes a highly advanced tachyon propulsion system that allows for near-instantaneous travel across vast interstellar distances.

One of the key features of the Spatial Particle Drive is its ability to traverse through space-time itself, allowing for the possibility of time travel and the exploration of alternate dimensions. This capability has made the Spatial Particle Drive a highly sought-after technology among the member civilizations of the Galactic Confederation, as it has opened up unprecedented opportunities for scientific research and exploration.

The exact details of the technology behind the Spatial Particle Drive are closely guarded and shielded by the Galactic Confederation, as it is considered an exceptionally advanced and sophisticated technology. However, it is known that the drive utilizes a complex system of tachyon generators and matter-antimatter annihilation reactors to generate the vast amounts of energy required to manipulate tachyon particles and propel a spacecraft at speeds exceeding that of light.

## Limitations

The primary limitation of FTL travel is its immense energy requirements, as the warp drive requires an immense amount of energy to generate a warp field. This has led to the development of the Quantum Tunneling, which can generate a warp field without the need for an external energy source, though this technology is still in its infancy.

Another limitation of FTL travel is the extreme danger of travelling faster than the speed of light. This is because travelling at such speeds causes extreme time dilation, meaning that time passes much more slowly for the ship than it does for the rest of the universe. This can lead to the crew aging significantly faster than they would on Earth, or even becoming completely disconnected from the rest of the universe.

Despite these limitations, FTL travel remains a viable means of interstellar transportation and is heavily regulated by the Galactic Space Command.