Yau Calabi Fold Engine
Mathematically twisting the fabric of space, the Yau-Calabi Fold Engine allows for FTL travel without violation of causality.
Perhaps the most interesting notion from the string and brane construction of reality is the large number of spatial dimensions required to support it, although most have an expanse so small that we cannot perceive them, much as an ant on a string can only perceive one axis of motion available to it. However, under certain conditions, a mathematical expression, the Yau-Calabi expression, can translate between the potential arrangements of these dimensions. Shaped correctly, a potent energy field according to this mathematical relationship can , for a short distance, rearrange these same dimensions into one more convenient forms for travel.
Effectively, this engine translates six of folded spatial dimensions of normal space into six unfolded dimensions, while for the ship, the three spatial dimensions of normal space are folded to a vastly smaller space. Chosen by the formative mathematics, this reversal of the dimensions of space is not quite symmetric with real-space. The practical effect is that while the distance between real places is vastly reduced, it is not quite eliminated. Interstellar travel is a matter of hours to weeks, however, rather than the centuries and millenia of real space. The Yau-Calabi Fold cannot be maintained within deep gravitational wells, as the transformation is too computationally intensive - the rapid changes in spatial distortion lead to the collapse of the field... and possibly the collapse of the ship. Generally, the Foldship must be a significant distance from any star or planet, but generally not more than a few days travel away from the star.
For reasons of performance, the average star-fighter or pleasure craft is not equipped with a Yau-Calabi Fold Drive. They are simply too massive to justify their inclusion. Instead, the majority of militaries deploy carriers, which launch waves of fighter craft. Mercenary and freelance companies frequently work on the same basic principle, although their carriers are typically modified freighter ships, rather than dedicated warships. It is the rare freelancer indeed that has both the contacts and the cash to purchase even a cruiser, let alone a carrier.
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? Responses (7)
A nice, relatively simple sci-fi FTL drive explanation. I like that it scientifically (fictionally) has a certain logic to it and makes sense. For some reason, it also seems very "standard" for me, like it wouldn't stand out in a crowd of FTL drives. But I guess I'm not much of a techie. :) I like it overall, however.
I'd say that it is missing a certain spark. How about an interesting failure, or special effect? For instance, if the re-folding of dimension fails badly, the ship could be drawn out to the size of a galaxy - and given the limited number of particles, it would just evaporate into nothingness. Or it would keep expanding in weird ways, until hitting upon a random large gravity source - in effect transporting the ship anywhere, likely close to a huge sun or a black hole.
And yes, it is really a fine FTL drive. Just missing that something extra here.
Well made.
You can see all the real science in here, as it edges out into the fiction. While it is harder to understand, it is a better explanation than the simplistic handwavium and bullshitium processes and materials that most FLTs are.
what tha--?
I like it! Simple ones like these draw me to sci-fi more so than the epics! Thanks.
A good handling of the space fold school of FTL.