We recognize features of hyperdrive from other works of sf:
"...a sufficiently weak gravitational field..." (p. 57) is necessary before switching to hyperdrive;
the hyperdrive fields cause an "...indescribable twisting sensation..." (ibid.) in human bodies;
speed while on hyperdrive is described as "pseudo-velocity," (ibid.) as in Poul Anderson's Technic History although that later future history series has a good reason for presenting such an account - its FTL spaceships do not move continuously through space but make many instantaneous quantum jumps between discrete points without traversing the spaces between those points.
Thus, the Psychotechnic History presents a composite version of a hyperdrive. Its only role is to separate the STL and FTL periods of this future history.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Anderson drew on the Psychotechnic version of FTL to help more carefully think out and construct a better version of the hyperdrive we see in the Technic timeline.
And "The Saturn Game" is the only STL Technic story we see before FTL was invented.
Ad astra! Sean
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