Battlestar Galactica (ship)

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The Battlestar Galactica is a space battleship in the original and re-imagined science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica.

The Twelve Colonies of Man in the original television series built a number of Battlestars during their thousand-year war with the Cylons, whose battleships are known as Basestars.

Contents 1 Battlestar Galactica (1978, 1980) 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Speed and Armament 1.3 Energy 1.4 Facilities 1.5 Other Battlestars 2 Battlestar Galactica (2003) 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Battlestar Galactica (1978, 1980)

[edit] Introduction

One of an undisclosed total number of Battlestars constructed by the Twelve Colonies of Man, Galactica represents the Colonial planet Caprica, and is crewed mostly by Capricans. Galactica was launched more than 500 yahren before the close of the Thousand Yahren War (and the start of the television series).^[1] It is believed to be the only Battlestar to survive the destruction of the Twelve Colonies, until Battlestar Pegasus is found. Galactica is commanded by Commander Adama.

In the pre-Holocaust Colonial military, battlestars like the Galactica operated as the flagships of numbered naval fleets (e.g. the Fourth Fleet), with each fleet assigned one battlestar and led by that battlestar's commander^[2]. A typical fleet comprised 600 fighting ships^[3], and operated independently from other fleets^[4]. Since the Holocaust, the Galactica is the military's sole capital ship of any kind (except, briefly, for the Pegasus).

[edit] Speed and Armament

The Galactica is capable of light-speed travel^[5], although while escorting its refugee fleet it must limit her speed to that of the slowest ship^[6]. It has a complement of about 150 Vipers:^[7] 25 surviving fighters from its own pre-Holocaust squadrons,^[8] 42 from the other battlestars at the Peace Conference,^[9] and the remainder being transfers from the Pegasus.^[10] She also has a complement of shuttles. Unlike similar civilian models, these transport craft include military gear for detecting electronic emissions from other spacecraft^[11], and drop chutes for paratroop assaults^[12]. In addition the Galactica has armored, tracked ground vehicles known as landrams.^[13] and snowrams^[14] These are armed with a single heavy laser gun in an open turret on the roof, and are landed by shuttles. Galactica carries a large number of manually-aimed^[15] laser batteries, both for anti-aircraft defense against fighters and for engaging other capital ships^[16]. As to purely defensive measures, the Galactica is protected by both "electronic shields" and a heavy metal shield that covers its panoramic bridge window. However, while these might provide limited protection, they are insufficient to guard against suicide ramming runs by Cylon raiders^[17] or pulsar-cannon fire from Cylon base ships^[18]. The Galactica also has the ability to project a broad cone of energy, wide enough to cover much of one hemisphere of an Earth-sized planet, that is powerful enough to destroy ballistic missiles and their nuclear warheads.^[19]

[edit] Energy

A battlestar has two sources of energy. Her engines are powered by tylium, a highly volatile liquid fuel derived from minerals mined on a limited number of planets.^[20] The tylium is stored in two tanks located as far inboard as possible, since the detonation of either tank is sufficient to destroy the battlestar.^[21] Other energy needs are met by energizers, which are self-contained generators roughly the size of a human adult. These are distributed in decentralized fashion across the Galactica.^[22] Networked to each other, they are able to supply sufficient power to meet the Galactica's needs even if some of them should fail.^[23]

[edit] Facilities

The Galactica contains a wide range of facilities that contribute to her mission. These include:

Bridge

Located near the front of the ship, in a projection above the hull^[24], the bridge is the location from which the ship is directed. It houses Core Command, which coordinates Viper operations and resource allocation for the Fleet^[25]; sensor, weapons and communications controls; and the ship's helm.^[26] The commander and his executive officer occupy a rotating platform at the center-rear of the bridge, along with a Bridge Officer who controls the helm.^[27] The bridge's rear is dominated by a large star chart, featuring glowing schematic representations of celestial bodies and their orbits on a clear substrate. The chart has the ability to display a red dot highlighting any given point, which a briefing officer can move simply by pointing his finger.^[28]

Landing Bay

A deck incorporating landing, hangar, repair and launching facilities for Vipers and shuttles. There are two of these, located amidships on both the port and starboard sides of the Galactica. After landing on the broad middle portion of the deck, Vipers are moved into launching tubes located on the outboard side of the bay. These are in a walled-off area, accessible from the main deck through garage-type doors opening onto each tube, which normally are kept closed.^[29] The landing bays can accommodate visiting small craft from non-Colonial civilizations, as well.^[30] The large portals on the aft end of each bay are equipped with devices that keep the bay's atmosphere contained, providing a shirt-sleeve environment in the bays.^[31] These devices appear to be designed in such a way that their operation is mandatory.^[32] Each bay contains decontamination booths; it is standard operating procedure for pilots who have visited an unexplored world on their mission to undergo a stint in these booths immediately after exiting their cockpits.^[33]

Medical Center

Features a surgery ward^[34], bone-fusing equipment^[35] and cold-hibernation chambers to suspend critically-ill patients until they can be treated^[36]. It also includes a laboratory capable of analyzing pathogens and synthesizing antidotes^[37], and of performing DNA screening^[38].

Cybernetics Laboratory

A research and fabrication facility for robotics. Used to construct the android Muffit II^[39], to analyze captured Cylons for weaknesses^[40], and to reverse-engineer the technologies of newly-encountered civilizations^[41]. Also contains forensic equipment for analyzing weapons^[42] and cleaning up garbled audio and video transmissions^[43].

Computer Center

Mainframe computer containing, among other data, fleet personnel records. The computer is able to interface via vocal conversation, as well as via CRT displays and paper printouts.^[44] The computer is networked with the bridge.^[45]

Bachelor Warriors' Quarters

Unmarried warriors live in gender-segregated quarters, regardless of rank.^[46] These are standardized rooms equipped with bunk beds, individual lockers for personal possessions, a table and chairs. Each room sleeps twelve, with no personal privacy.^[47] The sole exception depicted in the show is Commander Adama, who lives in a private suite comprising an office,^[48] dining room,^[49] bedroom and ready room with a star chart like the one on the bridge.^[50] To minimize the amount of time required to scramble Vipers in an emergency, the bachelor quarters are served by open-topped trams running in dedicated tunnels, which lead to the ordinary elevators that connect multiple Galactica decks to the landing bays.^[51] In the post-Holocaust fleet, married warriors are able to live with their families in joint quarters on ships other than the Galactica.^[52] After a decade without contact with the Cylons, conditions relax sufficiently to permit bachelor warriors to lodge on civilian ships.^[53]

Pilot Training Center

Includes a large classroom in which cadets' desks double as basic Viper simulators, and at least one gimballed Viper simulator with a full-scale cockpit.^[54]

Council Chamber

Meeting room for the Council of the Twelve, with an adjacent overflow area for observers.^[55] One wall is reserved for a star chart identical to the one on the bridge.^[56]

Courtroom

Hearing room for courts-martial, with provision for a small number of spectators. Provided with telecommunications equipment.^[57]

Brig

Cells holding warriors who are confined for discipline, or awaiting trial on serious charges. Warriors convicted of major offenses serve their prison sentences off the battlestar--meaning the prison barge in the post-Holocaust fleet.^[58]

Chapel

Semicircular room with risers in the front, topped by large portholes providing a panoramic view of the stars. The risers bear many small candles.^[59]

Auditorium

Large assembly room used for ceremonies. The floor consists of many small squares which can be raised or lowered on individual posts to reconfigure the room at will. For example, one arrangement featured a stage in front with risers along the sides for spectators, plus a flat area in the center for ranks of warriors.^[60]

Rejuvenation Center

A game arcade for off-duty warriors and their families.^[61]

Officers' Club

Bar and lounge for off-duty warrior officers.^[62]

Airlocks and Other EVA Provisions

When necessary, technicians can perform repairs on the Galactica's hull. They can gain access to the general area of the problem via one of a system of airlocks. The airlock portals are the size of a residential garage door, making them large enough to accommodate repair materials and tools. Handholds are provided for locomotion during the EVA; the space-suited technicians normally are tethered for their own safety. ^[63]

Children's Classroom

Some Colonists' children are taught in a classroom on the Galactica. Their curriculum combines lectures, question-and-answer sessions and computerized lessons. The classroom is equipped with a computer terminal at each student's desk. To gain attention or permission to answer a question, a student flips a switch at his desk, which activates an adjacent light and sounds an electronic tone. Classes are taught by active-duty warriors, both here and on other ships.^[64]

Celestial Chambers

Clear domes housing manual navigation equipment, used in earlier centuries to double-check the ship's navigation computer. Obsolete for at least a century, all but one of the domes have been dismantled.^[65]

[edit] Other Battlestars

Eight other Battlestars are specifically named in the series: Acropolis, Atlantia, Columbia, Pacifica, Pegasus, Rycon, Solaria, and Triton. Of the other ships, it is known that the Atlantia, Acropolis, Pacifica and Triton are destroyed at the Battle of Cimtar in "Saga of a Star World". Battlestar Columbia is first mentioned in the episode "Gun on Ice Planet Zero", but it is said to also have been destroyed at Cimtar by a Centurion. The Rycon is mentioned in passing in the episode "Take the Celestra" as the ship of Commander Kronus. Pegasus is encountered in "The Living Legend". Novelizations based on the original series, various comic books, and other sources have named several other Battlestars, including Bellerophon, Cerberus, Olympia, and Prometheus.

[edit] Battlestar Galactica (2003)

Battlestar Galactica

Battlestar Galactica
First appearance	Miniseries, Part 1
Affiliation	Colonial Fleet
References	Miniseries, Part 2 The Eye of Jupiter
General characteristics
Auxiliary craft	Colonial Raptors
Armaments	Primary KEWs Point defense KEWs Nuclear weapons
Propulsion	FTL drives Sublight engines
Length	1,445 m/4,740 ft[66]

One of the first twelve Battlestars built, Galactica represents the Colonial planet Caprica. In the re-imagined series, there were about 120 Battlestars in service prior to the Cylon attack.

Galactica entered service in the early years of the Cylon War, under the command of Commander Nash. During her service, Galactica formed a part of Battlestar Group 75 (BSG 75), a Colonial force described by series creator Ronald D. Moore as a mixed-force of vessels somewhat similar to a US Navy carrier battle group.

Like any of her sister ships, which may have survived the original Cylon War, Galactica underwent refits and upgrades (for example, at the end of her career was equipped with the latest Mark VII Viper space superiority fighter). However, the computer systems were neither networked nor integrated by any of her commanding officers, up to and including her final commander, William Adama.

Due to this lack of network integration at the time of the Cylon attack, Galactica was immune to the infiltration program used by the Cylons to disable Colonial vessels and defense systems, using the Command Navigation Program (CNP), developed by Dr. Gaius Baltar and subverted by Cylon operative Number Six as a back door into such systems.

At the time of the Cylon Attack, Galactica was 50 years old and was undergoing formal decommissioning from the Colonial Fleet following her retirement as an operational vessel. The ship had been due to become a museum commemorating the (first) Cylon War and an educational center. Due to its age and operating conditions, the ship is unofficially known as "The Bucket" by the crews of both Pegasus and Galactica.^[67] Another nickname used by the crew is "The Big G"^[68] (a possible reference to the U.S. Navy sailors' nickname for USS Enterprise, "The Big E"). Galactica's starboard launch pod was outfitted as a cylon war museum; this exhibit remained intact until the final mission against the Cylon colony.

Since the Cylon attack, in keeping with the concept of the original 1978 series, Galactica became both protector and provider to a small fleet of civilian vessels searching for the legendary planet Earth.

Galactica took heavy damage during its raid on New Caprica, and her hull was now clearly darker with burn marks and missile hits, the most notable marks are the three large holes in the top of the ship where its armor was weakest. The starboard hangar deck, which had been converted into a museum prior to Galactica's intended decommissioning, was used to house civilian refugees from New Caprica after the evacuation, and earned the nickname "Camp Oilslick".^[69] In "A Measure of Salvation", which followed "Torn", Major Lee Adama informs Galactica that their Raptor was on approach to the starboard landing deck, which indicated that the starboard flight pod had started flight operations again.^[70] However, this is likely a dialogue error because since the escape from New Caprica the starboard landing deck was home to a refugee camp called "Dogsville". In the finale it was still shown to be a museum.

In the episode "The Passage" Galactica was once again used to house fleet passengers during the trip through the intense gas cloud, leaving the fleet vessels to be flown by skeleton crews with radiation medication. It is unclear as to whether the passengers were returned to their vessels between "The Passage" and "The Eye of Jupiter".

In the episode "The Woman King", 300 additional passengers were shown being moved to the starboard hangar deck, and the area was given the name "Dogsville" by the Galactica crew. Upon arriving, each passenger was checked for medical issues by civilian doctors and medical staff. Also now housed in the starboard hangar deck was a makeshift bar called "Joe's". Which located behind a storage area, and was equipped with a bumper-pool table, Pyramid arcade area, and a heavily damaged Mark II Viper hung above the bar. It was first seen in the episode "Taking a Break from All Your Worries".

Galactica was seen taking multiple hits from Cylon nuclear weapons and though the ship suffered damage, she was still operational. It is unclear exactly how well rated the Cylon nuclear weapons were versus Galactica's armor. Also, as the nukes detonated outside of the vessel, most of the energy would have been directed and attenuated out into the area of least resistance: space. However, the punishment has apparently begun to accumulate. In "Blood on the Scales", after disabling the FTL drive Chief Tyrol noticed a large crack in an interior wall; in the subsequent episode, "No Exit", a more detailed inspection reveals hairline fractures and more obvious structual damage throughout the ship. The damage is aggravated by the fact that the original builders of the ship 'cut corners' during her construction. Tyrol suggests applying a Cylon organic resin that will insinuate itself into the hull, both repairing and strengthening the metal as it matures. Adama initially refuses the idea, but after finding cracks in the bulkheads of his own quarters, the Admiral gives Tyrol permission to do whatever it takes to repair Galactica. The repairs were not proceeding well, with numerous electrical faults occurring throughout the ship. When Boomer made her escape, she jumped her raptor close alongside the port forward section of the bow, causing massive damage both externally (a large, visible crater in the ship's outer hull) and internally (large scale electrical malfunctions, bulkhead warping, creaking sounds throughout the ship).

At the onset of the series, Galactica's last operational squadron of Mark VII vipers participated in the decommissioning ceremony before departing the ship. The squadron was re-directed to intercept a group of cylon fighters and was subsequently disabled by the cylon computer virus and destroyed. The museum display Mark II Viper's were pressed into service to defend the ship, and these and a small number of Mark VII's (presumably refugees from other battlestars or spares broken out from storage) comprised the ship's fighter complement until the arrival of the Battlestar Pegasus midway through the second season. Pegasus possessed construction facilities and flight simulators that allowed it to build and train new Mark VII vipers and pilots to strengthen the squadrons of both ships. When Pegasus was destroyed during the liberation of New Caprica, her nearly intact squadrons were transferred to Galactica, giving the latter a full complement of Vipers. By the time of the episode He That Believeth in Me, there were more Vipers available than qualified pilots, and trainees (known as 'nuggets') were pressed into service to defend the fleet. A significant number of pilots participated in the mutiny led by Tom Zarek and Felix Gaeta^[71]. Those pilots who refused to assist William Adama in re-taking the ship were court-martialed and incarcerated aboard the fleet prison vessel. The further reduction in manpower forces Adama to allow cylon heavy raiders from the renegade base ship to assist in CAP duties alongside Galactica regular pilots.

As the end of the show approaches the ship is so heavily damaged that Adama is forced with the decision to strip her for weapons and supplies. After that he would transfer the flag to the rebel base ship along with every single person and equipment, making the rebel base ship the protector of the fleet. Also, the ship, along with every other ship in the fleet, has its FTL jump drives upgraded to Cylon drives, increasing the ship's jump distance by at least three times.

In the series finale Daybreak, Galactica participated in her final mission, a rescue operation of the half-human/half-Cylon child Hera, crewed by a skeleton crew of volunteers, Adama vowing that, while this would be Galactica's last mission, she would not fail her crew if they didn't fail. With Samuel Anders connected to Galactica to serve as her 'Hybrid' (although it took an impassioned speech by Starbuck to get him to allow this as he didn't want a Cylon hooked up Galactica's CIC), the ship withstood a heavy barrage from the Cylon colony (although Tigh said they couldn't take much of that, presumably due to Galactica's already weakened state and how heavy it was) before Anders was able to interface with The Colony Hybrids and order them to shut the guns down. The starboard flight pod was heavily damaged when a Raptor assault force jumped directly from the landing bay to the opposite side of The Colony, and further damage was sustained when Galactica was deliberately rammed into The Colony's outer hull, allowing an assault team to directly enter the colony. While The Colony's gun batteries were down, the ship still faced attack from Raiders and at least one of Galactica's gun batteries was destroyed in the battle (both sides were too close to use nukes and missiles). At the end of the battle, Kara Thrace jumped the ship with the flight pods still extended (there was no time to retract them) as The Colony began to fall into a black hole with Galactica still attached, resulting in numerous hull breaches and visible flexing along the ship's axis. Tigh notes that Galactica has 'broke her back' and would never be able to jump again, although most of her essential systems including life support and sublight engines were still functioning. Galactica's jump allowed her to escape certain destruction however. Galactica had accomplished her final mission though as Hera Agathon was rescued and The Colony was destroyed along with all of the Cylons in existence, excluding the Rebels.

Realising that Galactica had jumped in orbit of a habitable planet, Adama sent a Raptor to the rendezvous coordinates (as Galactica could no longer jump) and brought the Fleet back to Earth- the name he gave the planet, to reflect Earth's status as a symbol of hope for the Fleet- while the assault team disembarked from Galactica to explore planetside. Once the remainder of the fleet population made its way down to the planet, Adama ordered all of the ships to be set on autopilot, along with Galactica - still under Anders' control- on a course heading into the sun which destroyed the Galactica and her fleet as the people of the Fleet decided to start over on Earth from the beginning.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• 1978 Galactica (Battlestar Wiki)
• Re-imagined Galactica (Battlestar Wiki)

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