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[[File:Generation Ship Lycaon.jpg|thumb|300px|Generation Ship Lycaon in Alaunus]]
[[File:Generation Ship Lycaon.jpg|thumb|300px|Generation Ship Lycaon in Alaunus]]
'''Generation Ships''' are large, self-sustaining environment ships which allow for very slow interstellar travel at sub-light speed. They can retroactively be considered a type of [[Megaship]].


'''Generation Ships''' are large, self-sustaining environment ships which allow for very slow interstellar travel at sub-light speed. They are a type of [[Megaship]].
The first Generation Ship was launched in 2097, and up to 70,000 in total departed the [[Sol]] system over the next several decades. Generation Ships were rendered obsolete with the invention of [[hyperdrive]] technology by [[Li Qin Jao]] in the 22nd century, and have not been constructed since.


The first Generation Ship was launched in 2097, and up to 70,000 in total departed the [[Sol]] system over the next several decades. Generation Ships were rendered obsolete with the invention of hyperdrive technology by Li Qin Jao in the 22nd century, and have not been constructed since.
== History ==
 
The story of the Generation ships is the story of adventurers that first went out into the void in far more primitive vessels than those enjoyed by Elite Dangerous players in the 34th century.<ref>[http://www.drewwagar.com/lore/elite-dangerous-lore-generation-ships/ Elite Dangerous Lore: Generation Ships by Drew Wagar]</ref>
==In GalNet News==
===05 JUL 3301 "The Founding of the Federation"===
... the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades ... In 2242 the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in Tau Ceti became the first signatory outside the Sol system.
<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation]</ref>
 
===19 AUG 3302 "Galactic News: Generation Ships"===
Continuing our popular series on significant episodes from human history, noted historian Sima Kalhana discusses generation ships.
 
"Before the development of faster-than-light travel, colonizing distant star systems was a profoundly difficult proposition. For the people of the 21st Century, the answer was the generation ship. These vast interstellar arks, equipped with everything needed to sustain human life, were crewed by multiple successive generations – pioneers who were born, lived and died aboard a starship."
 
"The first generation ship was launched in 2097, and in the centuries that followed, many more set off into the vastness of space. Most of these ambitious expeditions were funded by large corporations, and the penalties for interfering with them were severe, given the enormous cost of mobilizing them."
 
"At the time of writing, there are believed to be somewhere in the region of 70,000 generation ships coursing through the galaxy. The approximate location of most of these ships has been calculated, but not all are accounted for. Many of the corporations that funded the original generation ships have now been dissolved or assimilated by other organizations, so it is difficult to determine exactly who is responsible for some of these vessels."
 
"It has been theorized that some of the original generation ships may soon reach their destinations, but since not all of those destinations are known, it is entirely possible that they could have been colonized while the generation ships were in transit. We can only hope the powers-that-be have a contingency strategy for such a scenario." <ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/57b6f0089657ba686d4f8629 Galactic News: Generation Ships]</ref>
 
===29 APR 3303 "Galactic News: Generation Ship Found"===
Before the development of faster-than-light travel, colonising distant star systems depended on vast interstellar arks known as generation ships. There are believed to be more than 70,000 of these ships in the galaxy, the location of many of which is not known.
 
But now one of these "lost" ships has been found. A transmission recovered from a listening post in the LHS 1047 system led a pair of independent pilots to the Alaunus system, where the generation ship "Lycaon" was discovered. Tragically, it appears that the ship's crew was killed by an unidentified pathogen, no doubt many centuries ago. This was confirmed by remotely accessing the ship’s medical logs.
 
System authorities have urged pilots not to interfere with the vessel, which is still protected by the legislature instated at the time of its launch.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5903489c34cf5157f83c8f0f Galactic News: Generation Ship Found]</ref>
 
== Lore ==
The story of the Generation ships is the story of adventurers that first went out into the void in far more primitive vessels than those enjoyed by Elite Dangerous players in the 34th century.<sup><ref>[http://www.drewwagar.com/lore/elite-dangerous-lore-generation-ships/ Elite Dangerous Lore: Generation Ships by Drew Wagar]
</ref></sup>


In the history of Elite Dangerous (which runs from the present day to the in-game year of 3305), the centuries between 2200 and 2700 have been labelled as a ‘golden age’ of exploration. Technology was primitive by the standards of the 34th century, with no FTL comms, no hyperspace, primitive weapons and harsh living conditions.
In the history of Elite Dangerous (which runs from the present day to the in-game year of 3305), the centuries between 2200 and 2700 have been labelled as a ‘golden age’ of exploration. Technology was primitive by the standards of the 34th century, with no FTL comms, no hyperspace, primitive weapons and harsh living conditions.


The article then makes reference to one major component of Elite Dangerous Lore… the mythical generation ships. So what is a Generation ship? It’s a pretty well established SF trope. Have a look at the Wikipedia entry and report back, Commander!
The article then makes reference to one major component of Elite Dangerous Lore… the mythical generation ships. So what is a Generation ship? It’s a pretty well established SF trope. Have a look at the Wikipedia entry and report back, Commander!


Many thousands of generation ships left Earth from the 21st century (the first leaving in 2097), but it seems the process of launching them on their way was not well regulated. Many were not as well prepared as they should have been. In those days when faster-than-light communication didn’t exist, many of these potential settlers faced terrible risks alone, traveling thousands of light years into the void, not unlike the wagon trains that set out across continental US in the 18th and 19th centuries before them. Records indicate that up to 70,000 such ships were launched.
Many thousands of generation ships left Earth from the 21st century (the first leaving in 2097), but it seems the process of launching them on their way was not well regulated. Many were not as well prepared as they should have been. In those days when faster-than-light communication didn’t exist, many of these potential settlers faced terrible risks alone, traveling thousands of light years into the void, not unlike the wagon trains that set out across continental US in the 18th and 19th centuries before them. Records indicate that up to 70,000 such ships were launched.


Some were successful at founding new worlds; for instance, the home system of ''The Ancients of Mumu'', [[Phekda]] (also known as Gamma Ursae Majoris and Phad), was colonized by a Generation Ship. However, most ships were not successful. Some, reportedly, even managed to return with tales of their adventures.
Some were successful at founding new worlds; for instance, the home system of ''The Ancients of Mumu'', [[Phekda]] (also known as Gamma Ursae Majoris and Phad), was colonized by a Generation Ship. However, most ships were not successful. Some, reportedly, even managed to return with tales of their adventures.


===The Missing===
===The Missing===
Many Generation Ships were lost in deep space, the dead hulk of their ship carrying on an almost endless trajectory ever deeper into space. Others managed to land and survived for many decades before being overtaken by some local disaster.
The Missing is an encompassing term for everyone who has disappeared without trace in deep space. This includes colonists on the ancient generation ships, lost colonies, disappeared scientific expeditions and a host of others. Some will know from our timeline that many thousands of generation ships left the safety of Earth beginning in the 24th century onwards. Some managed to return with tales of their adventures. Some were lost in deep space, the dead hulk of their ship carrying on an almost endless trajectory ever deeper into space. Others managed to land and survived for many decades before being overtaken by some local disaster. Some may still be alive, just restricted to low power light speed communications, or no comms at all, as their equipment has failed over the centuries in between.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/node/353 DEV UPDATE (10/12/2015)]</ref>


Some may still be alive, just restricted to low power light speed communications, or no comms at all, as their equipment has failed over the centuries in between. We say they have disappeared without trace, but just maybe some will find some traces of them that are still out there.
===Searching for Generation Ships===
Generation Ships can be found by first locating a [[Listening Post]] in a system. These Listening Posts collect deep space transmissions, and a number of them have received transmissions that originated from Generation Ships. If a system has any Listening Posts, they will be visible in the navigation panel immediately upon arrival in that system. Scanning the Listening Post will usually provide a fragmentary transmission with clues to the location of the Generation Ship. Listening Posts can be found in systems up to 90 light years away from [[Sol]], but the range may possibly be larger: "... the conclusion that many of the ships should be reaching their destinations around about now if you assume they were targeted at stars within 100 lightyears (which seems plausible for 21st-24th century technology). The maximum distance they could realistically travel would be around a 1,000 lightyears (probably much less)."<ref>[http://www.drewwagar.com/lore/elite-dangerous-lore-generation-ships/ ELITE DANGEROUS LORE on GENERATION SHIPS]</ref>


Some are into their 30th generation. Those that are still enroute are travelling in ‘normal’ space, at relativistic velocities.
Generation Ships can also found without Listening Posts by using the [[Full Spectrum System Scanner]] to identify signal sources in a system. The FSS will immediately identify a Generation Ship no matter how far away it is from the system's main star, circumventing the need to follow specific directional clues, but there are tens of thousands of systems to search. It is suggested that Listening Posts should be used to identify systems that contain Generation Ships, and then the FSS can quickly reveal their locations.


Collectively these travellers are known as ‘the missing.’
==Timeline==
29 APR 3303
*Before the development of faster-than-light travel, colonising distant star systems depended on vast interstellar arks known as generation ships. There are believed to be more than 70,000 of these ships in the galaxy, the location of many of which is not known. But now one of these "lost" ships has been found. A transmission recovered from a listening post in the LHS 1047 system led a pair of independent pilots to the Alaunus system, where the generation ship "Lycaon" was discovered. Tragically, it appears that the ship's crew was killed by an unidentified pathogen, no doubt many centuries ago. This was confirmed by remotely accessing the ship’s medical logs. System authorities have urged pilots not to interfere with the vessel, which is still protected by the legislature instated at the time of its launch.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5903489c34cf5157f83c8f0f Galactic News: Generation Ship Found]</ref>
19 AUG 3302
*Continuing our popular series on significant episodes from human history, noted historian Sima Kalhana discusses generation ships. "Before the development of faster-than-light travel, colonizing distant star systems was a profoundly difficult proposition. For the people of the 21st Century, the answer was the generation ship. These vast interstellar arks, equipped with everything needed to sustain human life, were crewed by multiple successive generations – pioneers who were born, lived and died aboard a starship. The first generation ship was launched in 2097, and in the centuries that followed, many more set off into the vastness of space. Most of these ambitious expeditions were funded by large corporations, and the penalties for interfering with them were severe, given the enormous cost of mobilizing them. At the time of writing, there are believed to be somewhere in the region of 70,000 generation ships coursing through the galaxy. The approximate location of most of these ships has been calculated, but not all are accounted for. Many of the corporations that funded the original generation ships have now been dissolved or assimilated by other organizations, so it is difficult to determine exactly who is responsible for some of these vessels. It has been theorized that some of the original generation ships may soon reach their destinations, but since not all of those destinations are known, it is entirely possible that they could have been colonized while the generation ships were in transit. We can only hope the powers-that-be have a contingency strategy for such a scenario."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/57b6f0089657ba686d4f8629 Galactic News: Generation Ships]</ref>
05 JUL 3301
*... the explosive exploration triggered by the invention of the hyperdrive by Li Qin Jao and others in the 22nd century, first by unmanned probes, then with manned craft, overtaking the generation ships sent in the previous decades ... In 2242 the Federation Accord was created outlining certain rights and responsibilities for members, uniting many of the new colonies, by force in some cases. After a short conflict the Taylor Colony in Tau Ceti became the first signatory outside the Sol system.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5597abc79657bab1445913c2 The Founding of the Federation]</ref>


Interestingly enough, if you ‘do the math’, you’ll discover that due to the relativistic speeds, time aboard the Generation ships will have been compressed for the occupants. A further observation results in the conclusion that many of the ships should be reaching their destinations around about now if you assume they were targeted at stars within 100 lightyears (which seems plausible for 21st-24th century technology). The maximum distance they could realistically travel would be around a 1,000 lightyears (probably much less), so both the ships and the civilization that emerged, if any did make it, should be easily reachable by today’s explorers.
==Discovered Vessels==
 
Since April 23, 3303, there have been 15 confirmed discoveries of lost Generation Ships. Be aware that some of their positions can and will change over time as they continue drifting through space. Use of the [[Full Spectrum System Scanner]] is recommended.
Much more than this we do not yet know, but this remains one of the most intriguing of the Elite Dangerous lore Legends. We wait with bated breath to learn more.
 
===DEV UPDATE (10/12/2015)===
''The Missing'' is an encompassing term for everyone who has disappeared without trace in deep space. This includes colonists on the ancient generation ships, lost colonies, disappeared scientific expeditions and a host of others. Some will know from our timeline that many thousands of ‘generation ships’ left the safety of Earth beginning in the 24th century onwards ... Some managed to return with tales of their adventures. Some were lost in deep space, the dead hulk of their ship carrying on an almost endless trajectory ever deeper into space. Others managed to land and survived for many decades before being overtaken by some local disaster. Some may still be alive, just restricted to low power light speed communications, or no comms at all, as their equipment has failed over the centuries in between. We say they have disappeared without trace, but just maybe some will find some traces of them that are still out there…<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/node/353 DEV UPDATE (10/12/2015)]</ref>
 
==Where to look for Generation Ships==
As of update 2.3, Generation Ships can be found by first locating a Listening Post in a system. Any Listening Posts are visible in the navigation tab once you jump into a system, it doesn't need to be explored. Then follow the clues provided to find a Generation Ship. Listening Posts can be in systems 0 to 90 light years from [[Sol]].
 
From "ELITE DANGEROUS LORE : GENERATION SHIPS": <ref>[http://www.drewwagar.com/lore/elite-dangerous-lore-generation-ships/ ELITE DANGEROUS LORE on GENERATION SHIPS]</ref>
 
"... the conclusion that many of the ships should be reaching their destinations around about now if you assume they were targeted at stars within 100 lightyears (which seems plausible for 21st-24th century technology). The maximum distance they could realistically travel would be around a 1,000 lightyears (probably much less)."


Also it mentions ''The Golden Age of Exploration'' which took place between 2200 and 2700.
In addition to following the direction described herein, generation ships can be found using the FSS. Their signals are on the left side of the spectrum, a little to the right of Unidentified Signal Sources.
==Discovered Vessels==
===Generation Ship Lycaon===
===Generation Ship Lycaon===
[[File:Elite Dangerous- Generation Ship Lycaon - The Missing - Episode 1 - A Roleplay Story|thumb|260px]]
[[File:Elite Dangerous- Generation Ship Lycaon - The Missing - Episode 1 - A Roleplay Story|thumb|260px]]
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===Generation Ship Hyperion===
===Generation Ship Hyperion===
Generation Ship Hyperion was discovered by CMDR Vall on April 27, 3303. It is located in Lalande 2966, and can be found by traveling to the fourth planet in the system and then changing course toward Yemaki for 7,000 ls*.
Generation Ship Hyperion was discovered by CMDR Vall on April 27, 3303. It is located in Lalande 2966, and can be found by traveling to the fourth planet in the system and then changing course toward Yemaki for 9,500 ls.


Hyperion's troubles began when the passengers began to worship a child named Zachariah as a messiah who would lead them to the "promised land". When the ship's commander tried to stop a ritual and detain Zachariah, he was thrown out an airlock. Eventually, Zachariah revealed his plan to open all of the ship's airlocks; the passengers went along with it, believing they would ascend to a higher plane of existence. The Hyperion's midshipman planned to kill Zachariah before he could carry out his plan, but failed, either because he was killed or he acted too late. The life support systems were overridden and the Hyperion vented its air, presumably killing all of the passengers and crew.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/67yl5j/another_generation_ship_located_hyperion/ /r/EliteDangerous: Another generation ship located: Hyperion.]</ref>
Hyperion's troubles began when the passengers began to worship a child named Zachariah as a messiah who would lead them to the "promised land". When the ship's commander tried to stop a ritual and detain Zachariah, he was thrown out an airlock. Eventually, Zachariah revealed his plan to open all of the ship's airlocks; the passengers went along with it, believing they would ascend to a higher plane of existence. The Hyperion's midshipman planned to kill Zachariah before he could carry out his plan, but failed, either because he was killed or he acted too late. The life support systems were overridden and the Hyperion vented its air, presumably killing all of the passengers and crew.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/67yl5j/another_generation_ship_located_hyperion/ /r/EliteDangerous: Another generation ship located: Hyperion.]</ref>
<nowiki>*</nowiki>As of May, 2019, GS Hyperion is about 9500 ls from Lalande 2966 - 4.


===Generation Ship Odysseus===
===Generation Ship Odysseus===
Retrieved from "https://elite.mistflux.co.uk/wiki/Generation_Ship"