Faster Than Instantaneous: The 8 Fastest Spaceships in Science Fiction
Pa Joshua Tyler
| Published
If you travel in space, you need a ship. At the moment, the only ships we’re really capable of making are slow, chunky missiles that spew fire. Science fiction makes space go much faster.
While some stories are better when things are slow, science fiction it’s often the most interesting when things are moving at warp speed. But which sci-fi starship is the fastest?
It depends on what you ask. For example, a fighter jet is probably faster than a large ship in normal space, but a large ship capable of entering hyperspace is an easy winner. So for the purposes of this list, we measure our ships solely by how fast they can get from point A to point B.
These are the fastest starships in science fiction.
8. Lex (Lex)
The LEX is a biomechanical spaceship capable of traveling faster than light. LEXX moves through the universe using a biologically controlled propulsion system. This organic propulsion allows the ship to travel across galaxies and even between universes at speeds that have never been precisely quantified, but are shown to be far superior to most conventional starships in the universe.
Although it lacks the sophisticated navigation systems typical of mechanical spacecraft, its biological design compensates for its natural propensity to move through space. His ability to cross intergalactic and interdimensional boundaries involves a highly developed and possibly an alien an understanding of the spatial physics encoded in its organic systems.
Despite its unmatched speed, the LEXX often requires guidance from its crew to determine destinations, as it lacks the cognitive ability to make strategic decisions. The combination of organic propulsion and intuitive navigation makes the LEXX one of the most unusual ships in science fiction, even if it is ugly.
7. Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda)
The Andromeda Ascendant is a Glorious Heritage-class heavy cruiser developed as part of the Supreme Guard fleet in the Commonwealth of Systems. With the fall of the Commonwealth, Andromeda remained the only one of its kind.
Andromeda’s propulsion system relies on Slipstream Drive, a technology that allows it to travel at the speed of light along a network of natural pathways called slipstream routes. Unlike traditional FTL systems, stream navigation requires an intuitive pilot to chart a course along these unstable routes. Exact calculations are impossible due to the chaotic nature of slipstream physics.
Andromeda’s AI must work with human pilots to operate this complex system efficiently and quickly.
6. Planet Express ship (Futurama)
The Planet Express ship is a state-of-the-art delivery spacecraft designed by the brilliant but eccentric Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth.
The ship is powered by a dark matter an engine that provides near-infinite fuel efficiency and works by moving the universe around the ship, not the ship moving through the universe. This unique propulsion system allows the Planet Express Ship to reach a virtually infinite speed relative to itself, allowing for instantaneous or near-instant travel across the interstellar plane.
The ship’s engine is powered by dark matter, a substance scavenged from the excrement of the Niblon species, making it as strange as it is efficient.
5. Event horizon (Event Horizon)
The An event Horizonfrom the 1997 sci-fi horror film of the same name, is an experimental spacecraft designed to test a revolutionary propulsion system known as the Gravity Drive. This disk allows faster-than-light travel, creating an artificial black hole, collapsing space-time so that two points are connected instantaneously.
The Gravity Drive core uses exotic matter and advanced energy manipulation to create a singularity, shortening the distance between locations in space. In doing so, Event Horizon does not travel in the traditional sense; instead, it “jumps” from one point to another, completely bypassing the space in between. The Gravity Drive is housed in a special and very creepy chamber at the back of the ship, surrounded by containment fields and reinforced structures to manage the extreme energy and gravitational forces it generates.
It all sounds good, except for the horrible side effect. In order to pass between the two points, the Event Horizon must first pass through what is essentially Hell. As you can imagine, it’s not so good.
However, Event Horizon can get you where you’re going very quickly. You’ll probably just go crazy or die by the time you get there.
4. Discovery (Star Trek: Discovery)
The USS Discovery (NCC-1031) Art Star Trek: Opening is one of two Crossfield-class starships built by Starfleet. Both were equipped with an experimental propulsion system called the Spore Drive, but only Discovery made it work.
This experimental disk uses a mycelium network, a subspace domain consisting of a vast network of spores that spans the entire galaxy. Yes, he basically flies with the help of space mushrooms.
The Spore Drive’s biologically enhanced system integrates organics similar to a supercomputer interface with a living navigator, most notably the Ripper or later Commander Paul Stamets, who uses entered spores to communicate with the grid. By accessing this mycelial network, Discovery can instantly “jump” anywhere in the universe, bypassing traditional warp speed limitations and providing unprecedented tactical and research capabilities.
The Spore Drive mechanic is based on advanced technological chatter, where the ship essentially propels itself through microscopic channels in space-time rather than traversing the intervening space. While conventional Star Trek warp drives rely on space-time manipulation through matter-antimatter reactions and dilithium crystals, the Spore Drive operates entirely outside of this paradigm, offering instantaneous travel without the effects of time-dilation.
3. Guild ship (Dune)
Guild ships of Dune they are colossal spaceships used by the Space Guild for instant interstellar travel, the cornerstone of the Empire’s economy and governance.
These ships use space warping technology made possible by the use of the psychoactive melange spice. This ability gives guild navigators the prophetic ability to forge safe paths through warped space. A process known as Holtzmann Drive Space Collapse collapses vast distances between two points, effectively eliminating travel time.
Guild ships are piloted by mutated human navigators who develop superhuman cognitive abilities and physical deformities after prolonged exposure to the spice. These abilities allow them to perceive the complex, changing paths of the convoluted space and avoid fatal collisions with celestial objects.
These huge cylindrical vessels can carry entire fleets or huge volumes of cargo, making them indispensable for trade, war and administration.
2. The TARDIS (Doctor Who)
The TARDIS means time and relative measurement in space. The Doctor’s ride made its maiden voyage long before the events we see on screen in Doctor Who. The incredibly old vehicle is a Type 40 time capsule built by the Time Lords on the planet Gallifrey.
The TARDIS is both alive and incredibly intelligent. It exists in multiple dimensions at the same time, so it’s bigger inside. This multidimensional nature allows it to bypass the normal constraints of time and space.
When the Doctor sets the coordinates for a new location in time or space, the TARDIS dematerializes from its current location, travels through a “time vortex,” and then rematerializes at its destination. The process is almost instantaneous. A time vortex can be thought of as a highway that instantly connects different points across the space-time continuum, regardless of their distance or time separation in the “normal” universe.
1. Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
The space is large. You just won’t believe how huge, huge, mind-blowingly big it is. I mean, you might think the pharmacy is far, but it’s only peanuts into space.
So if you’re going to travel in space, you’re going to need something fast. There is nothing faster than Golden heart. It’s probably number one on our list.
That’s because the Heart of Gold is powered by the Infinite Improbability Drive, a wonderful new method of traversing vast distances in less than a second without all that tiresome hyperspace fumbling.
The drive exploits the natural chaos of the universe by going through every conceivable point in every conceivable universe almost simultaneously. While conventional sci-fi engines can deal with breaking the laws of physics, the Infinite Improbability Drive throws them out the window and drinks tea with the resulting chaos. It’s unlikely, which is the point.
The Heart of Gold’s origins are as unusual and chaotic as the vessel itself. The ship was designed and built on the planet Damogran, from where it was to be launched with great fanfare in a ceremony attended by Galactic President Zaphod Bibblebrox. Unfortunately, in a completely unbelievable move, Zaphod stole the Heart of Gold and transported it to regions unknown.
Zaphod stole it because he knows what you know now. If you’re a Whoopi Froud who knows where his towel is, then there’s no faster way to travel the universe than aboard the Heart of Gold.
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