Battlestar

1978 Continuity

Battlestars were a class of high-tonnage warship used by the military of the Twelve Colonies of Man. Battlestars served the colonies as battleship/carrier hybrids and were generally seen as the most powerful, sophisticated and culturally significant warships in the colonies.

History[]

When they entered service is uncertain, but it is known that Galactica was at least in service some 500 yahrens into the war.^[1] During engagements with the Cylon Empire, battlestars were supported by a large fleet of support ships. For example, the Rycon, captained by Commander Kronus, was supported by six hundred vessels that made up the Fourth Colonial Fleet.^[2] The Fifth Colonial Fleet consisted of the Pegasus and its own support ships, and disappeared into deep space following the otherwise total destruction of the fleet at the Battle of Molecay.^[3]

In the final days of the war, the Colonial Fleet was reduced to six ships with the exception of Pegasus. Five of these ships - Atlantia, Acropolis, Columbia, Pacifica and Triton - were ambushed by Cylon forces and destroyed at the Battle of Cimtar.^[4]^[5] The fifth ship, Galactica, was in a better state of preparation for battle and was able to escape.^[4]

Galactica went on to lead a fleet of survivors to find the lost colony of Earth. It was believed Galactica was the final remaining Battlestar until the rediscovery of Pegasus under the command of Cain. This was short lived as the Pegasus engaged a group of Cylon Basestars to cover the Fleet's escape. Its fate is unknown although its survival was hinted at by Count Iblis, this could very well have been a lie. For now, it would appear that Galactica is the last Battlestar.

Specifications[]

Battlestars were well armed with an array of point defense turbolasers for use against enemy fighters as well as long-range missiles for use against capital ships. They were flanked by twin hangar pods on either side which housed all facilities required to launch, land and maintain the vessel's various fighter-craft and shuttles. The main bridge was housed in the forward section which acted as the command deck and flight control center. The aft section had the ships propulsion section.

Centuries ago, Colonial battlestars had vast arrays of Celestial Chambers by which navigators would use the stars to check the ship's course and location. As of the events of "The Hand of God", Galactica only had one Celestial Chamber remaining. It was no longer used in normal operations but was something of a pet project for Captain Apollo, who repaired and maintained it.