The Superluminal Engine
One of the most complex undertakings in both complexity and scale, rivaling the largest space colonies or geoengineering projects, is the Superluminal Engine or SLE. These devices require large numbers of space-distortion-generating emitters, which in turn require large amounts of rare, exotic materials such as Wofleonium along with a massive power supply, cooling systems, and control devices.
Even in the 2300s, SLEs are still massive. Much like the first SLE built into Pluto, the device requires a large scale emitter array many kilometers across along with a huge power supply and cooling that is usually provided by sinking heat into the host-planetoid. These large structures are placed in such a way as to have the clearest lines of sight to other star systems which is why they are often placed out outer-planetoids. This positioning also makes these SLEs the perfect place to build FTL Communication systems that help link star systems together. All this technology in one place inevitably requires people to help maintain it, which in turn often sees space colonies being setup near the SLEs. Refueling yards, starship docks, and security forces inevitably are required to help monitor the space near the SLE which makes them hubs for local military forces.
SLEs, even the oldest ones in the sol system, are always major points of interest.
One of the most complex undertakings in both complexity and scale, rivaling the largest space colonies or geoengineering projects, is the Superluminal Engine or SLE. These devices require large numbers of space-distortion-generating emitters, which in turn require large amounts of rare, exotic materials such as Wofleonium along with a massive power supply, cooling systems, and control devices.
Even in the 2300s, SLEs are still massive. Much like the first SLE built into Pluto, the device requires a large scale emitter array many kilometers across along with a huge power supply and cooling that is usually provided by sinking heat into the host-planetoid. These large structures are placed in such a way as to have the clearest lines of sight to other star systems which is why they are often placed out outer-planetoids. This positioning also makes these SLEs the perfect place to build FTL Communication systems that help link star systems together. All this technology in one place inevitably requires people to help maintain it, which in turn often sees space colonies being setup near the SLEs. Refueling yards, starship docks, and security forces inevitably are required to help monitor the space near the SLE which makes them hubs for local military forces.
SLEs, even the oldest ones in the sol system, are always major points of interest.