Dimensional Fold Drive: Difference between revisions

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[[file:folded-space.jpg|thumb|Folded Space]]
[[file:folded-space.jpg|thumb|Null-Space During Travel]]
The Dimensional Fold Drive is an extension of existing [[Warp Drive]] technology.  It was developed by melding [[Spacetime, Subspace, and Hyperspace|Hyperspace]] technology produced and sold by [[Excalibur Incorporated|Excalibur Inc.]] and [http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/United_Federation_of_Planets Federation] Warp Drive technology.  It is used to travel not only through space, but also through time.
The Dimensional Fold Drive is an extension of existing [[Warp Drive]] technology.  It was developed by melding [[Spacetime, Subspace, and Hyperspace|Hyperspace]] technology produced by [[Excalibur Incorporated|Excalibur Inc.]] and [http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/United_Federation_of_Planets Federation] [[Warp Drive]] technology.  It is used to travel not only through space, but also through time.


== Operation ==
== Operation ==
The drive works by manipulating an existing warp field produced by a standard warp drive system with temporal energy.  This energy is modulated to match the shape and output of the warp field.  This solves the instability problem at warp power surpasses Warp 9Instead of the warp curve becoming asymptotic above Warp 9 as power approaches Warp 10 (infinite velocity) the curve becomes manageable in both velocity, power output, and power consumption.
The drive works as an extension of [[Warp Drive]] by infusing the the warp field with a temporal energy (a specifically calibrated mix of tachyons, chronotons, and lygons) which create more drastic changes in the surrounding space-time.  This alteration of space-time folds the space around the vessel back into itself in a controlled spacial implosion.  Using the vessels warp nacelles in consort with the main deflector and static deflector grid to control the implosion and the space of the resulting bubble of space-time the vessel is able to create pocket.  This pocket is tethered to real space-time but exists outside the normal space-time flowThis region (called null-space) exists in an infinite plane between real space and adjacent [[Subspace Domains|subspace domains]].


In normal space flight at high warp the temporal energy output is kept equal to the power output of the subspace field created by the warp driveWhen the temporal energy is increased, at around twice the warp power output the temporal energy added to the warp field folds space-time around the ship by modulating the temporal energy and shaping the saturated warp field the ship can travel through space and time simultaneouslyThis is called "Folded Space", around this bubble of space-time is a void between dimensional layers called "Null Space".
== Connection to Real Space-Time ==
The space-time anchor exists in real space as a verteron particle nexus which prevents the space-time bubble from separating from its native reality.  This particle nexus moves through real space proportional the vessels path through null-space.  Since the vessel itself is not moving relative to it's space-time pocket it experience no initia nor is the vessel impacted by the corresponding tether's position in real spaceThe pocket itself is affected by forces proportional to its distance in subspace from real space (i.e. the “length” of the tether).  The vessel alters the direction of travel and velocity by altering the field geometry and how far into null-space the pocket isA natural equalibrum of relational speed in real space to energy output and field geometry occurs making speed a constant relative to the shape of the pocket and relative position in null-space.


Neither matter nor energy can exist for more than seconds before being pushed back into normal space at random.  A ship or person cannot survive intact the uncontrolled transition intact.  A ship's debris would be spread over an entire sector or farther, if folded space collapsed around it.
Neither matter nor energy can exist for more than seconds before being pushed back into normal space at random.  A ship or person cannot survive intact the uncontrolled transition intact.  A ship's debris would be spread over an entire sector or farther, if folded space collapsed around it.


== Velocity ==
== Velocity ==
Velocities are measured in chochranes like with Warp Drive as multiples of c (light speed) adjusted for variations caused by local space composition, gravity, and subspace geometry.  While normal Warp Drive has a speed curve of roughly warp factor raised to the 3 and 1/3 power, Folding allows for a steeper speed curve of folding factor raised to the 3 and 2/3 power.
The velocity relative to a position in normal space-time is calculated based on transition between 10 levels of of flight through null-space in the folded space-time pocket.  These levels are termed Fold Factor or sometimes Fold Depth, each level corresponds to a specific output and geometry based on the shape and size of the vessel to produce a specific velocity of position in real spaceWhere ''x'' is the fold level, the following function gives speed ''cochrans''.


It may be possible to push the envelope further into the dimensional void to achieve greater speed, but it is likely not safe with current technological limitations.
[[File:DFD-Function.png|center]]
 
Roughly 1 ''cochran'' moving through a region with a space-time gradient of 1 (that is to say no distortions in the local space-time) is equivalent to the speed of light in a vacuum.  Partial fold factors are also allowed, so it is possible to travel at a velocity between Fold 5 and Fold 6 and the relative speed in real space would fit the predicted speed by the above function.
 
== Efficiency ==
For a Fold Factor of 2 or less, it is more efficient to use Warp Drive due to the power output for velocity gain over Warp Drive.  Transitioning to Fold 3 and higher, there is a significant speed differential for a similar (though generally higher) power output for the same Warp Factor.
 
== Communications / Sensing ==
Sending / communicating while moving through null-space is difficult at best.  Usually some form of specialized beacon or receiver is required to do so.  Currently [[Solas Tempus]] operates several transceivers which allow communications with vessels travelling in null-space.  Due to the proprietary nature of the technology, only Solas Tempus has technology to reliably communicate with a vessel in null-space.


== Time Travel ==
== Time Travel ==
When in Folded Space a vessel can alter its delta-T vector (direction and velocity of travel through time) but also may keep the delta-T set to 0, where the vessel will not travel through time except along its normal, natural, speed and directionAltering the delta-T also uses considerably more power than simply traveling in the three spacial dimensions.
While traveling through null-space the pocket field geometry can be altered to change the vessel's ''Delta-T'' to alter the way the pocket flows through space-time relative to its point of origin.  This is called the ''T Factor'', normally the drive operates with a T Factor of 1 but the T Factor can be increased to a maximum not to exceed the Fold Factor.  This is due to energy output, the energy output to alter the Delta-T is greater than the energy output to maintain the pocket integrity (the Fold Factor) the field will destabilize.  In normal operation the T Factor is equal to the half of the Fold Factor while moving through time, as this is the most stable field geometry to energy output combination.
 
The rate at which the vessel moves through time is equal to the equation below, allowing to ''x'' to be the T Factor.  The formula gives the rate of change through time in real space seconds per null-space second.  It is not possible to stop time within the null-space bubble, that remains at a Delta-T of 1.  It is only possible to alter how time flows relative to anchor location in real space-time measured in [[Measuring Time Travel|Sans]].
[[File:DFD-Time.png|center]]
 
The directionality through time is determined not by the power output but by the geometry of the pocket during travel, thus a T Factor of 2 measures a rate forward or backward through time.  A T-Factor of 0 yields a Delta-T of 1 San.
 
=== Visiting the Future ===
All matter and energy in the universe has a quantum signature that is in flux, the field generated by the DFD at the time of folding must be resonant to the quantum signature at the time of departure.  Attempts have been made to alter the quantum signature of the field in order to travel beyond the point of departure, such attempts have catastrophically failed setting a hard limit on how far into the future a vessel can goNo vessel has been able to maintain a Delta-T greater than forward value of 1.  At this time there is no known to way to remodulate the field geometry to generate a stable pocket which can travel forward in time elapsed since departure.  That is if a vessel has been on the past for 2 days it can travel up to 2 days past it’s departure but no further.
 
=== Arriving at Departure Time ===
It is possible to arrive at a destination at the same instant of departure by adjusting a field geometry to a spheroid shape with a near 1:1:1 dimensional ratio in the reverse direction.  However, the pocket tends to be difficult to control in this configuration and this should only be done in the case of extreme emergency.


== Terminology ==
=== Stopping Time ===
Terminology used to differentiate between speed requests or in reporting speeds for course corrections or other records is warp 9 is Warp DriveA similar speed with folded drive is termed as Fold 9, meaning traveling in folded space.
There has been some success in allowing a vessel to exist in null-space with a Delta-T close to 0, while it is not possible to achieve a Delta-T of true 0While possible it is not stable and should only be used in times of extreme emergency.


[[Category:Propulsion]]
[[Category:Propulsion (FTL)]]
[[Category:Time Travel]]
[[Category:Propulsion (Temporal)]]

Latest revision as of 00:31, 5 June 2022

Null-Space During Travel

The Dimensional Fold Drive is an extension of existing Warp Drive technology. It was developed by melding Hyperspace technology produced by Excalibur Inc. and Federation Warp Drive technology. It is used to travel not only through space, but also through time.

Operation

The drive works as an extension of Warp Drive by infusing the the warp field with a temporal energy (a specifically calibrated mix of tachyons, chronotons, and lygons) which create more drastic changes in the surrounding space-time. This alteration of space-time folds the space around the vessel back into itself in a controlled spacial implosion. Using the vessels warp nacelles in consort with the main deflector and static deflector grid to control the implosion and the space of the resulting bubble of space-time the vessel is able to create pocket. This pocket is tethered to real space-time but exists outside the normal space-time flow. This region (called null-space) exists in an infinite plane between real space and adjacent subspace domains.

Connection to Real Space-Time

The space-time anchor exists in real space as a verteron particle nexus which prevents the space-time bubble from separating from its native reality. This particle nexus moves through real space proportional the vessels path through null-space. Since the vessel itself is not moving relative to it's space-time pocket it experience no initia nor is the vessel impacted by the corresponding tether's position in real space. The pocket itself is affected by forces proportional to its distance in subspace from real space (i.e. the “length” of the tether). The vessel alters the direction of travel and velocity by altering the field geometry and how far into null-space the pocket is. A natural equalibrum of relational speed in real space to energy output and field geometry occurs making speed a constant relative to the shape of the pocket and relative position in null-space.

Neither matter nor energy can exist for more than seconds before being pushed back into normal space at random. A ship or person cannot survive intact the uncontrolled transition intact. A ship's debris would be spread over an entire sector or farther, if folded space collapsed around it.

Velocity

The velocity relative to a position in normal space-time is calculated based on transition between 10 levels of of flight through null-space in the folded space-time pocket. These levels are termed Fold Factor or sometimes Fold Depth, each level corresponds to a specific output and geometry based on the shape and size of the vessel to produce a specific velocity of position in real space. Where x is the fold level, the following function gives speed cochrans.

Roughly 1 cochran moving through a region with a space-time gradient of 1 (that is to say no distortions in the local space-time) is equivalent to the speed of light in a vacuum. Partial fold factors are also allowed, so it is possible to travel at a velocity between Fold 5 and Fold 6 and the relative speed in real space would fit the predicted speed by the above function.

Efficiency

For a Fold Factor of 2 or less, it is more efficient to use Warp Drive due to the power output for velocity gain over Warp Drive. Transitioning to Fold 3 and higher, there is a significant speed differential for a similar (though generally higher) power output for the same Warp Factor.

Communications / Sensing

Sending / communicating while moving through null-space is difficult at best. Usually some form of specialized beacon or receiver is required to do so. Currently Solas Tempus operates several transceivers which allow communications with vessels travelling in null-space. Due to the proprietary nature of the technology, only Solas Tempus has technology to reliably communicate with a vessel in null-space.

Time Travel

While traveling through null-space the pocket field geometry can be altered to change the vessel's Delta-T to alter the way the pocket flows through space-time relative to its point of origin. This is called the T Factor, normally the drive operates with a T Factor of 1 but the T Factor can be increased to a maximum not to exceed the Fold Factor. This is due to energy output, the energy output to alter the Delta-T is greater than the energy output to maintain the pocket integrity (the Fold Factor) the field will destabilize. In normal operation the T Factor is equal to the half of the Fold Factor while moving through time, as this is the most stable field geometry to energy output combination.

The rate at which the vessel moves through time is equal to the equation below, allowing to x to be the T Factor. The formula gives the rate of change through time in real space seconds per null-space second. It is not possible to stop time within the null-space bubble, that remains at a Delta-T of 1. It is only possible to alter how time flows relative to anchor location in real space-time measured in Sans.

The directionality through time is determined not by the power output but by the geometry of the pocket during travel, thus a T Factor of 2 measures a rate forward or backward through time. A T-Factor of 0 yields a Delta-T of 1 San.

Visiting the Future

All matter and energy in the universe has a quantum signature that is in flux, the field generated by the DFD at the time of folding must be resonant to the quantum signature at the time of departure. Attempts have been made to alter the quantum signature of the field in order to travel beyond the point of departure, such attempts have catastrophically failed setting a hard limit on how far into the future a vessel can go. No vessel has been able to maintain a Delta-T greater than forward value of 1. At this time there is no known to way to remodulate the field geometry to generate a stable pocket which can travel forward in time elapsed since departure. That is if a vessel has been on the past for 2 days it can travel up to 2 days past it’s departure but no further.

Arriving at Departure Time

It is possible to arrive at a destination at the same instant of departure by adjusting a field geometry to a spheroid shape with a near 1:1:1 dimensional ratio in the reverse direction. However, the pocket tends to be difficult to control in this configuration and this should only be done in the case of extreme emergency.

Stopping Time

There has been some success in allowing a vessel to exist in null-space with a Delta-T close to 0, while it is not possible to achieve a Delta-T of true 0. While possible it is not stable and should only be used in times of extreme emergency.