Launch tube (TRS): Difference between revisions

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[[Image:1104Tube Mini.JPG|thumb|right|[[Viper 1104]] in the tube, ready to launch ([[Miniseries]]).]]
[[Image:1104Tube Mini.JPG|thumb|right|[[Viper 1104]] in the tube, ready to launch ([[Miniseries]]).]]


'''Launch tubes''' are extensively used on [[Battlestar (RDM)|battlestar]]s as a means of launching [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] and  [[Blackbird|other similar craft]] in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|re-imagined]] series.
'''Launch tubes''' are extensively used on [[Battlestar (RDM)|battlestar]]s as a means of launching [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] and  [[Blackbird|other similar craft]].


''[[Galactica]]'' has a total of 80 launch tubes, forty per [[flight pod]]. They are divided into five groups of eight tubes each. The launch tubes fit one [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] at a time. Four launch tubes are controlled by a launch supervisor. Centrally located, the launch supervisor can observe two launch tubes on either side of the control station thru a wide view port. After running the preliminary checks on the Viper, the launch supervisor presses the launch button and a magnetic catapult throws the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] out at great speed.  
A ''[[Galactica type battlestar]]'' has a total of 80 launch tubes, forty per [[flight pod]]. They are divided into five groups of eight tubes each. The launch tubes fit one Viper at a time. Four launch tubes are controlled by a launch supervisor who are in turn managed by the [[Landing Signal Officer]]. Centrally located, the launch supervisor can observe two launch tubes on either side of the control station thru a wide view port. After running the preliminary checks on the Viper, the launch supervisor presses the launch button and a magnetic catapult throws the Viper out at great speed.  


The following quote depicts the standard launch sequence (in this case for a launch of the [[Blackbird]]).
The following quote depicts the standard launch sequence (in this case for a launch of the [[Blackbird]]):


:'''[[Starbuck]]''': Instruments... in the green. Fuel pressure... nominal.<br />
:'''[[Starbuck]]''': Instruments... in the green. Fuel pressure... nominal.<br />
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::--''[[Flight of the Phoenix]]''
::--''[[Flight of the Phoenix]]''


[[Image:MkVIIlaunch Scar.JPG|thumb|left| Viper Mk VII launching ([[Scar]])]]
The launch tubes are separated from the [[hangar deck]] by large airtight metal doors. When these doors close after the ship is in the tube, the doors at the end of the tube open, allowing the tube to open up into space. Ships are returned to the hangar deck from the [[landing bay]] via elevators.
The launch tubes are separated from the [[hangar deck]] by large airtight metal doors. When these doors close after the ship is in the tube, the doors at the end of the tube open, allowing the tube to open up into space. Ships are returned to the hangar deck from the [[landing bay]] via elevators.


[[Alert Fighters]] are kept in the tubes at all times just in case a threat appears and the [[Combat Air Patrol|CAP]] cannot reach it in time or require reinforcements.
[[Alert Fighters]] are kept in the tubes at all times just in case a threat appears and the [[Combat Air Patrol|CAP]] cannot reach it in time or require reinforcements.
[[Image:MkVIIlaunch Scar.JPG|thumb|left| Viper Mk VII launching ([[Scar]])]]


The launch tubes are used to allow the dead a military space funeral when there is no earth in which to bury them ([[Act of Contrition]]).
The launch tubes are also used to allow the dead a military space funeral when there is no earth in which to bury them. ([[Act of Contrition]])
 
==Battlestar ''Galactica''==
On the battlestar ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' only the port launch tubes are operational. The starboard launch was converted into a gift shop to go with the planned museum in the starboard hangar bay prior to the [[Cylon Attack|destruction of the Twelve Colonies]].  However, the starboard launch was depressurized due to the crashlanding of a [[Cylon Heavy Raider]] through the windowed enclosure, which occured when ''Galactica'' attempted to recalculate the coordinates of [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]]. ([[Scattered]])


As of "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]" only the port launch tubes are operational. The starboard launch was converted into a gift shop to go with the planned museum in the starboard hangar bay prior to the [[Cylon Attack|destruction of the Twelve Colonies]].  However, the starboard launch was depressurized due to the crashlanding of a [[Cylon Heavy Raider]] through the windowed enclosure, which occured when ''Galactica'' attempted to recalculate the coordinates of the Fleet ([[Scattered]]).
Following humanity's [[exodus]] from [[New Caprica]], the launch tubes are used as impromptu courtrooms by [[The Circle]], a group commissioned by President [[Tom Zarek]] to try, convict and sentence humans who collaborated with the [[Cylons]] during their occupation of New Caprica. The Circle would execute convicted collaborators by depressurizing the launch tubes and letting the criminals be vented into space. ([[Collaborators]])


Following humanity's [[Exodus, Part II|exodus]] from [[New Caprica]], the launch tubes are used as impromptu courtrooms by [[The Circle]], a group commissioned by President [[Tom Zarek]] to try, convict and sentence humans who collaborated with the Cylons during their occupation of New Caprica. The Circle would execute convicted collaborators by depressurizing the launch tubes and letting the criminals be vented into space ([[Collaborators]]).
== See also ==
== See also ==
* Captain [[Aaron Kelly]], the [[Landing Signal Officer]] on ''Galactica''
* "[[Final Cut]]" is a rare episode in which the camera actually follows Vipers as they are wheeled from the middle of the hangar deck and loaded into launch tubes, then take off.   
* "[[Final Cut]]" is a rare episode in which the camera actually follows Vipers as they are wheeled from the middle of the hangar deck and loaded into launch tubes, then take off.   



Revision as of 04:33, 27 December 2006

Viper 1104 in the tube, ready to launch (Miniseries).

Launch tubes are extensively used on battlestars as a means of launching Vipers and other similar craft.

A Galactica type battlestar has a total of 80 launch tubes, forty per flight pod. They are divided into five groups of eight tubes each. The launch tubes fit one Viper at a time. Four launch tubes are controlled by a launch supervisor who are in turn managed by the Landing Signal Officer. Centrally located, the launch supervisor can observe two launch tubes on either side of the control station thru a wide view port. After running the preliminary checks on the Viper, the launch supervisor presses the launch button and a magnetic catapult throws the Viper out at great speed.

The following quote depicts the standard launch sequence (in this case for a launch of the Blackbird):

Starbuck: Instruments... in the green. Fuel pressure... nominal.
Dualla: Apollo, Starbuck. Blackbird flight is cleared for launch.
Starbuck: Run-up.
Aaron Kelly: Maglock secure, initiate launch sequence.
Starbuck: Oh, don't blow up o­n me, you bastard.
Kelly: You are clear for launch.
Dualla: Blackbird is away.
--Flight of the Phoenix
Viper Mk VII launching (Scar)

The launch tubes are separated from the hangar deck by large airtight metal doors. When these doors close after the ship is in the tube, the doors at the end of the tube open, allowing the tube to open up into space. Ships are returned to the hangar deck from the landing bay via elevators.

Alert Fighters are kept in the tubes at all times just in case a threat appears and the CAP cannot reach it in time or require reinforcements.

The launch tubes are also used to allow the dead a military space funeral when there is no earth in which to bury them. (Act of Contrition)

Battlestar Galactica

On the battlestar Galactica only the port launch tubes are operational. The starboard launch was converted into a gift shop to go with the planned museum in the starboard hangar bay prior to the destruction of the Twelve Colonies. However, the starboard launch was depressurized due to the crashlanding of a Cylon Heavy Raider through the windowed enclosure, which occured when Galactica attempted to recalculate the coordinates of the Fleet. (Scattered)

Following humanity's exodus from New Caprica, the launch tubes are used as impromptu courtrooms by The Circle, a group commissioned by President Tom Zarek to try, convict and sentence humans who collaborated with the Cylons during their occupation of New Caprica. The Circle would execute convicted collaborators by depressurizing the launch tubes and letting the criminals be vented into space. (Collaborators)

See also

  • "Final Cut" is a rare episode in which the camera actually follows Vipers as they are wheeled from the middle of the hangar deck and loaded into launch tubes, then take off.