Battlestar Galactica

DESIGNATION: Colonial Battlestar "Galactica" Type

CLASS: Columbia
TYPE: Battleship / Fleet Carrier
ROLE: Battleship / Fleet Carrier / Command Ship
AFFILIATION: Colonial Fleet
COMMISSIONED:
UNIT RUN:
NAMES AND DISPOSITION: Galactica (active)
DIMENSIONS:

Length: 4,640 feet (1,414 meters) for main hull / 2,018 feet (615 meters) for flight pods

Width: 1821 feet (555 meters) with flight pods extended / 361 feet (110 meters) for flight
pods
Height: 581 feet (177 meters) for main hull / 210 feet (64 meters) for flight pods
Mass: 27.55 million tons (25 million metric tons)
Fuel Mass: metric tons (typical).

SHIPS COMPLEMENT:

Ships' crew (4,290 (140 Officers and 4,150 Enlisted) - Galactica has approximately 2650
before "New Caprica"),
Air Group (220 Viper / Raptor pilots),
Troops (210 marines (10 Officers and 200 Enlisted)),
Life support limits are for a full combat complement and about -- supernumeraries (--personnel total). For limited periods only an evacuation contingent of ---- souls could be
embarked.
Cargo: 220,500 tons (200,0000 metric tons) of cargo. As well, each enlisted crew
member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship's officers have more
space for personal items. Most of the ship's spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor,
troops, weapons, engine, reaction mass, equipment,

PROPULSION SYSTEMS:

Main power system: The Ship is powered by fusion reactors that will theoretically operate
for 25 years and can provide effectively unlimited electrical power. However, it was
recommended that the drive and power system have routine maintenance every 5 years.
Also, the ship only carries about a six month supply of reaction mass / fuel for Jump
drives.
Maneuvering thrusters () :
Reaction-mass thrusters (6): 6 six sublight engines
Secondary thrusters() :
Space Drives:
Anti-gravity system () :
Space fold ():

Stardrive (2): A "Galactica" type Battlestar has a Jump Drive which enable the vessel to
disappear in one location and appear at another location, potentially many light years
distant, instantly. This drive requires extensive calculations and consumes fuel each time
the ship "Jumps." The system can also make short range jumps.
Planetary capabilities: The Battlestar cannot operate within an atmosphere. If the ship
enters an atmosphere, it will crash. If the ship "Jumps" into a planetary atmosphere, it will
drop like a rock although could theoretically jump out of the atmosphere before it hits the
planet.

PERFORMANCE:
Endurance and mobility limits:

The dry stores endurance was limited to about ooooo months with a full crew
complement. After that, the 0000needs to restock. Water stores are recycled almost
totally.
Space Performance: The starship does not have an effective top speed but is limited by
acceleration. The Battlestar can reach a top acceleration of 3 G but due to high fuel
consumption and extra strain on the engines, the ship will normally travel at 0.5 G for any
extended trips. Top acceleration is only meant for emergencies and combat maneuvers.

Because the Battlestar is mostly unshielded from the effects of radiation and
hypervelocity atomic particles (It is not completely unshielded), the vessel is not
operated at speeds exceeding 20% of the speed of light.

Maximum Range: Conditionally unlimited, while the fusion rector gives power for a
decade of service, the ship's propulsion is limited by the ship's reaction mass (The ship
uses Tylium which is likely some hydrogen or helium isotope which has to be mined)
The vessel carries six months of reaction mass for travel at 0.5 G of acceleration. Double
the consumption of fuel for 1.0 G of acceleration and double the consumption again for
every 1.0 G of acceleration beyond 1 G. This means the ship will burn the fuel 8 times
faster than at 0.5 G of acceleration at maximum acceleration (3 G). The ship will often
accelerate for a period of time and then shut down the engine and travel using the ships
velocity. If the ships uses more than half of its reaction mass when accelerating, the ship
will be unable to decelerate fully and the ship will normally only use a third or less of its
fuel on accelerating so it does not run into a problem.. If the ship runs out of fuel then it
must be refueled by another vehicle traveling faster or be lost.
If the ship has a large amount of flight operations, the ship is limited to about three
months endurance at cruising speed from the fighters using the ships reaction mass.

ELECTRONICS/SHIP SYSTEMS:

Hardened Circuitry and Electromagnetic Shielding: All electronics and computers on the
star ship are constructed with hardened circuitry and the ship itself is built with shielding

to prevent EMP and jamming from damaging circuitry. The effect is that jamming and
EMP will not damage any system while it can blind the ships radar and radio
communication system. Laser systems will not be affected by jamming.
Jamming System: This system scrambles all electronic signals for a range of 8,000 miles
(12,875 km) in space and will penetrate an atmosphere for a distance of 80 miles (128.8
km). The system can also confuse missiles. It has a 45% chance of confusing missiles
but some missiles can home on jamming signals.
Integral Phase Array Radar System (Called DRADIS ): This system is in many ways to
the Aegis system that was used on many naval vessels. The radar system can cut
through Rifts Earth and Mutants in Orbit jamming systems at one quarter of the systems
normal range allowing the system to work well against targets that are jamming. The
system has a range of 100,000 miles (161,000 km) in space and can penetrate the
atmosphere up to 1,000 miles (1,610 km). The system can track and identify 4096 targets
at on time. Can also target each individual missile to a separate target at up to 1024
targets.
E.S.M.: Radar Detector, Passively detects other radars being operated.
Neutrino Sensor: All fusion and fission reactors output neutrinos (So do stars and antimatter systems as well). The system can also detect nuclear weapons. The ship uses a
specialized magnetic field to capture and focus neutrinos into a sensor designed to detect
neutrinos. The system also eliminates neutrinos from the sun although it is impossible to
detect a target if the target is between the sensor system and the sun due to the
overloading the ability of the system to detect neutrinos. The Neutrino sensor has a range
of 100 miles (160 km) penetration of an atmosphere and has a range of 10,000 miles
(16,100 km) in space. The sensor has a 65% chance of being able to be able to detect
nuclear weapons as well as differentiate between fusion and fission reactors.
Available Flight Pods: As part of its decommissioning, Galactica's port flight pod was the
only one in service. The starboard flight pod was enclosed and pressurized as the main
museum display for her pending decommission. It is violently depressurized after a
Heavy Raider crashes into it. The starboard flight pod is apparently brought back into a
usable condition, as Major Lee Adama directs his Raptor boarding team to approach and
land in the starboard pod. However, it is possible that this is due to a previously issued
quarantine order.

ARMAMENT:
GUNS:

T
Twenty Four (24) Heavy Kinetic Energy Weapon Turrets: Main batteries of the Battlestar.
Each turret has two barrels which normally fire together. There are eight turrets on the upper
surface of the Battlestar near the middle of the ship, eight turrets on the lower part of the
Battlestar also near the middle, and the are four turrets mounted under the bow of the Battlestar.
Each mount can rotate 360 degrees and has a 90 degree arc of fire. Each mount fires rounds at
extremely high velocity and inflict heavy damage upon their target.
Maximum Effective Range: 320 miles (515 km) in space and 16 miles (25.6 km) if fired into an
atmosphere.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).
Payload: 1,600 rounds (160 bursts) per weapon mount. Additional ammunition carried in the
ship's main magazines

Point Defense Kinetic Energy Mounts (252):

These act as the Battlestar's main point defense weaponry and are in twin mounts. They are
similar to the mounts carried on Vipers and are used against both fighters and missiles. The
Battlestar has these mounts on the main hull and flight pods. Each mount can rotate 360 degrees
and has a 90 degree arc of fire. These electromagnetic weapons fire high density projectiles at
incredible velocities.

Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in an atmosphere and 32,000 feet (9,600
meters) in space.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).
Payload: 6,400 rounds (640 bursts) per weapon mount. Additional ammunition carried in the
ship's main magazines
DISPOSABLE:

Nuclear Warheads
Galactica has five nuclear warheads after restocking at Ragnar. Commander Adama uses one
warhead to destroy a Cylon basestar. Dr. Baltar cannibalizes one to use in his Cylon detector,
which he later gives to Gina, who detonates it aboard Cloud Nine. This leaves Galactica with
three warheads at that time.
It is unknown how many nuclear warheads Pegasus still has when it encounters Galactica, but
two ships pool their nuclear ordnance stockpiles after that, and some warheads are possibly
transferred from Pegasus before her final mission. As of "The Eye of Jupiter", Galactica
possesses at least seven warheads.
The yield of these weapons is unknown. It is likely they are of a "dial a yield" design which is
common in real-life nuclear weapons. Because the physics of nuclear weapon design is a
measurable science, and based on the size of the weapons seen on screen, the yield of
Galactica's weapons may lie between 5 and 150 kilotons.

DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS:
ACTIVE:
PASSIVE:

AIR
GROUP:

Viper Starfighters: approx.160 (8 Squadrons of 20) Prior to the arrival of Pegasus, Galactica
has at maximum thirty-four Vipers, of which at least six are Mark VIIs (c.f. Viper tally).
Galactica receives additional supplies from Pegasus since her arrival that helps in repair and
refurbishment of her original fighter complement; more recently, she receives new Mark VII

Vipers built aboard Pegasus using raw materials mined from an asteroid and the advanced
battlestar's Viper construction facilities.
Following the Battle of New Caprica, Galactica takes the destroyed Pegasus's Viper squadrons
and pilots aboard. It is uncertain how many Vipers in total Galactica has from there on, given that
Pegasus's Viper complement was never accurately specified.

Raptor Craft: The number of Raptors available to Galactica is portrayed inconsistently. The
assumption prior to joining up with Pegasus is that the battlestar has at least five Raptors, having
left Ragnar Anchorage with at least eight (c.f. Raptor tally).
After the Battle of New Caprica, Galactica takes on Pegasus's Raptors. The number of available
craft is unknown, but is at least 20, considering how many Raptors are deployed to rescue to the
resistance fighters on Caprica.

Other Craft
Galactica currently possesses two Heavy Raiders. One is hit by Galactica's defensive fire
and crashes into the starboard flight pod with unknown damage. The other returns in
operational status from Caprica. One of Galactica's Heavy Raiders is relieved of its FTL
navigation system for use on the rescue mission to Caprica.
A Raider from the first Cylon War may be on board Galactica after one follows Starbuck
into one of Pegasus's landing bays and is shot down.
A second Raider is in Galactica's possession after Daniel Novacek's "escape" from a
basestar, replacing the one retrieved by Kara Thrace and lost during the quest for the
Arrow of Apollo.
An experimental stealth fighter, the Blackbird, is constructed using spare parts and used
in a critically successful reconnaissance mission to explore the nature of what comes to
be known as the Resurrection Ship. The Blackbird is later destroyed after completing her
last mission during the Battle of the Resurrection Ship.
Galactica possesses fuel tankers used to supply fuel to Vipers and Raptors in flight
without the need to dock with the ship. These may be dedicated craft or specially fitted
shuttles or Raptors.

STRENGTH INDICES:
Beam Firepower:
Torpedo Firepower:
Weapon Range and Accuracy:
Shield Strength:
Hull Armor:

Speed:
Combat Maneuverability:
Overall Strength Index:

DIPLOMATIC CAPABILITY
EXPECTED HULL LIFE:
REFIT CYCLE:
Minor:
Standard:
Major:

MARKET COST: 20 billion to construct.

BACKGROUND: The Galactica (BS 75) is a veteran battlestar and the last of her kind still in
service with the Colonial Fleet by the time of the destruction of the Twelve Colonies. Built during
the early days of the Cylon War, she remains the only military vessel without integrated computer
networks. Without networked computers, Galactica never upgrades to the new integrated defense
system software developed by Dr. Gaius Baltar and his team. Because of this and other factors,
she becomes one of only two known battlestars (the other is discovered to be Pegasus) to
survive the renewed Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies, some 40 years after the end of the first
war. At the time of the attack, she was part of the 75th Battlestar Group (BSG-75).

DESIGN NOTES:

The Battlestar "Galactica" was one of the original twelve Battlestars built by the Colonial fleet.
Each of the original Battlestars were built to represent one of the Twelve Colonies with the

Galactica herself representing the planet of Caprica. These Battlestars were laid down near the
beginning of the Cylon War and acted as both battleships and carriers. These ships were the
work horses of the Colonial Fleet for many years. The Galactica herself fought in several major
battles during the Cylon War. By the time of the renewed Cylon attacks on the Twelve Colonies,
the Galactica and her sisters had been supplemented by large numbers of newer Battlestars
including the Mercury class. The Mercury class are the newest and most advanced Battlestars.
The Galactica herself was due to be decommissioned and become a mobile museum /
classroom. Her last fighter squadron had been transferred off for reassignment and the vessel
had almost no ammunition remaining onboard.
Due to the menace of the Cylons being able to hack into virtually any Colonial network, the
computer systems on the Galactica were designed to work individually and the systems on the
Battlestar were designed around security against computer access. There was also little in
automatic and many of the systems were manual in nature. The other Battlestars of the Galactica
class were later upgraded with networked computers but the Galactica herself remained without
networked systems. This may have allowed the Galactica to survive when virtually all of the other
Battlestars were destroyed. Newer Battlestars also carry far more in the way of automation to
reduce crew requirements.
These leviathans are extremely tough with the Galactica herself taking a close hit from a nuclear
weapon during the renewed Cylon attacks. The damage was able to restored quickly and crew
casualties were light for such a massive weapon. The ships are also designed with massive
storage of water and other consumable for long duration deployments. The ships are designed so
they can replenish other ships with both fuel and water and can almost act like a supply ship.
Crews of these 1.4 kilometer long ships run into the thousands and are virtually space borne
cities in their own right. There are extensive medical facilities to support the crew including
virtually a complete hospital onboard. In addition to fleet crew, the Battlestar carries a number of
marines used for both ship security and boarding actions.
A Battlestar can be divided into three basic sections. This is the main hull and the twin flight
pods. The forward section of the main hull contains water storage and there is an observation
deck near the bow. The bridge is also buried deep inside this section. The middle section has
equipment for withdrawing the flight pods close to the hull of the Battlestar as well as transfer
facilities to bring equipment and ordnance between the two pods. Finally, the rear section
contains the ship's main thrusters and the faster than light drive. The hull of the vessel is
reinforced with external ribs.
The ship has two faster than light drives and six sublight engines. Due to artificial gravity, the
ship can accelerate at several Gees of acceleration without any effect on the crew. This allows
the ship to traverse in system distances quite rapidly. For their size, a Battlestar is extremely
maneuverable. The ship has a pair of faster than light drivers which allows the ship to jump
multiple light years at a time, reappearing instantly in the new location. These engines are often
called "Jump Engines" and the calculations to perform Jumps are both time consuming and
extremely difficult. Even though the engines can be used for relatively short range jumps, this is
often avoid due to various difficulties. As well, ships usually avoid jumping too close to planets or
other ships for the same reasons.
The ship has two flight pods which can retract into the main hull. Each one is huge in its own
right, being over six hundred meters in length and over a hundred meters in width. The hanger
bay is large enough for fairly large ships to dock including transport ships. The flight pods are
primarily designed to operate Vipers from and all marks, including the newest mark VII can be
operated from them. A Battlestar can operate up to eight squadrons of Vipers with twenty fighters
per squadron and there are electromagnetic launch systems which launch the fighters from the
side. In addition, the ship has extensive repair facilities for the fighters. Launch tubes are
mounted in pairs and there are forty launch tubes per side. Normally the fighters make low speed
landings although high speed combat landings can be made in emergencies. The Battlestar also

carries six to eight Raptor class craft used for scouting, to support the embarked fighters, and
general purpose roles. These and other large craft must be launched from the forward part of the
hanger pod. The main landing bay portion of the flight pods is open on both front and back to
vacuum. The Galactica only has her starboard hanger bay operational and has a greatly reduced
fighter compliment due to her fighter squadrons mostly consisting of Viper Mark II fighters which
were part of her museum exhibits and a handful of Viper Mark VII fighters.
A Battlestar is well armed for both defensive and anti-ship roles. In close combat, a Battlestar
can decimate a single Cylon Basestar although the Cylon capital ship has a much large fighter
compliment. As well, the Colonials prefer Kinetic Energy Weapons while the Cylons often prefer
missiles. On the Battlestar there are twenty-four large anti-ship mounts mounted in twin turrets.
These weapons are powerful kinetic energy weapons which fire projectiles at incredible velocities.
The ship has eight turrets mounted on the central part of the hull and the same number below the
hull in similar positions. In addition, the ship carries four turrets under the bow of the ship. For
point defense, the ships carry a large number of mounts similar to those carried on fighters. There
is a total of two hundred and fifty-two mounts with two kinetic energy weapons each. These are
mounted on both the flight pods and the main hull of the Battlestar. A huge amount of fire can be
directed at attacking fighters or missiles from these mounts. The ship also carries missiles and
other ordnance including nuclear weapons. These are normally launched from fighters and
Raptors and not from the Battlestar itself.
Sensors on the Galactica type Battlestar consist of Dradis, which is virtually identical to Radar
operated by Twenty First Century militaries. The ship mounts numerous small arrays around the
hull and work similar to phased array systems and can perform the roles of tracking and fire
control. The ship is also equipped with extremely sensitive radiological which enable it to detect
nuclear weapons. The ship can also take advantage of remote sensor platforms. The Battlestars,
because they are expected to act as command ships, have extensive communication arrays.
These ships are designed with extensive E.M.P. protection to protect them from nuclear
weapons.

HISTORY:

Galactica was one of the first twelve battlestars to be constructed by the Colonials, each
representing one of the twelve colonies; Galactica represented Caprica. As such, she is some 50
years old. Following the outbreak of Cylon hostilities several more battlestars were built.
Galactica's first commander was named Nash.
The original battlestars were all designed with non-integrated computer systems to avoid the
Cylons' demonstrated ability to override or subvert networked command and control systems
early in the war (Miniseries). Rather than technological sophistication, the battlestar depended on
its sheer bulk and defensive / offensive capabilities to ward off any threats to itself or the
Colonies.
Following the armistice with the Cylons, and their withdrawal from Colonial space, Galactica and
her sister ships served the Twelve Colonies in a variety of roles. While her surviving sister ships
were scrapped or upgraded to match the systems capabilities of newer Colonial vessels,
Galactica continued in service without her systems being fully networked or integrated, making
her unique among Colonial military vessels. Galactica was relegated to intra-system duties for at
least 20 years prior to her decommissioning.
With her active career drawing to a close, a decision was taken to retire Galactica and
decommission her from service. Colonial Fleet chose not to scrap her, but to turn her into a
combination of living museum to the original Cylon War and an educational center, with her

conversion being overseen by her final commander, William Adama.

At the time of her formal decommissioning ceremony, Galactica is stripped of all but one of her
operational Viper Mark VII squadrons, her munitions are destroyed, and her starboard landing
pod is a pressurized museum which houses (among other things) a full squadron of Mk. II Vipers
as well as a Viper model that appears older than the Mark II (Miniseries, also in Deleted Scenes).
With the renewed and unexpected Cylon hostilities, Galactica quickly proves her worthiness as a
warship is far from over as she sorties several Mark IIs retrieved from her museum to challenge
her first Cylon attack in over 40 years (her last Mark VII squadron was sent to Caprica for
reassignment). The old battlestar withstands a direct hit from a tactical nuclear missile while
unsuccessfully performing evasive maneuvers, but later jumps successfully to Ragnar Anchorage
to retrieve much-needed ammunition stores at this hidden depot.
Galactica finally bares her teeth in this new Cylon war as she single-handedly engages two
basestars with her gun batteries, providing covering fire for an assortment of 75 civilian ships
containing the last survivors of the Twelve Colonies. All ships, with Galactica last to leave the
engagement zone, escape to a destination past the Red Line, never to return to Colonial space
(Miniseries).
Since the exodus of the Colonials from their overrun homeworlds, Galactica becomes both
protector and provider for the Fleet. She provides covering fire for the Fleet during Cylon attacks
no fewer than 240 times. The battlestar provides much of the Fleet with recycled water and she is
the primary source of medical care, where groups of civilians are periodically brought aboard for
check-ups and treatment. Galactica also undertakes internal policing duties within the Fleet.
Galactica successfully goes on the offensive against the Cylons, capturing a tylium fuel mining
and processing plant in the process.
The advanced battlestar Pegasus, commanded by Admiral Helena Cain, joins Galactica
approximately 6 months into their exile.
Pegasus and Galactica destroy two basestars as well as a critical Cylon support ship known as
the Resurrection Ship. After Admiral Cain's death, President Laura Roslin promotes William
Adama to Admiral, restoring him to overall Fleet command, but now with two battlestars at his
disposal.

New Caprica
Following the founding of New Caprica, Galactica is assigned to the Orbital Defense Force that
protects the planet. During this time the majority of its crew are sent to the surface in an effort to
populate the planet and restore the human race including most of its senior officers
seemingly convinced that the Cylons would never find New Caprica. The diminished staff
inevitably results in basic maintenance becoming overlooked or ignored. Basic military
responses, such as the launching of alert fighters and routine training exercises become difficult
to execute. One year following the founding of New Caprica, a fleet of Cylon ships jump into orbit
of the planet. Severely limited in its abilities, Admiral Adama and the defense fleet jumps away
from New Caprica vowing that they'd return to liberate the planet.
Battle of New Caprica
Four months after the escape, Galactica's staff is still in the process of developing a rescue
strategy with 16 training exercises having been completed and a 17th underway when an
accident causes its early ending (Occupation). This forces both a change in strategy and the
reformulation of a rescue plan to deal with personnel who have not seen conflict in 16 months.
While Galactica fights to liberate the Colonials on-planet, Pegasus is assigned to protect the
remaining civilian fleet and continue its search for Earth.
After coordinating with the New Caprica Resistance, Galactica leaves Pegasus to guard the last
group of humanity while it uses a series of feints using drones to misdirect the bulk of the Cylon
Raiders and avoid immediate detection by baseships to allow the civilians on the planet to escape
to their ships and flee New Caprica.
Galactica then jumps into low orbit above the planet and falls from 100,000 feet. As the ship
falls, Admiral Adama orders a launch of all remaining Vipers. Before impacting the planet's
surface, Galactica jumps back into orbit. In the resulting battle, Galactica becomes overtaxed and
out-gunned, nearing destruction until Pegasus unexpectedly arrives to initiate a barrage of her
own to turn the attention of four baseships away from Galactica. The old battlestar repairs her
FTL drives and escapes, but Pegasus is sacrificed during the battle.
Galactica bears the scars of the battle with significant scorching and dents to the hull.
Nonetheless, Galactica is still combat ready, holding off a superior Cylon force for a short
duration in the Battle of NCD2539, and threatening to use its nuclear arsenal twice after New
Caprica. Despite the damage, Galactica now boasts a larger crew, Viper and Raptor compliment
given the loss of Pegasus, even to the point where there are more pilots than ships (Torn).
Colonel Tigh comments that Galactica took so much damage in this battle that it would "take six
weeks in dry dock just to bang out the dents". This indicates that the ship took extensive damage
that would take a long time (probably months) to fully repair, and would unlikely survive such a
massive battle again.
Resuming the search for Earth
Galactica takes aboard a significant quantity of civilians following the exodus from New Caprica,
as several civilian ships are lost during the escape and after the Cloud 9 incident. Cramped
conditions increase as crew and civilians struggle to adapt to life back aboard a ship. Civilians
reside in the starboard hangar deck as a refugee camp nicknamed "Camp Oil Slick" and later
"Dogsville".
During a food shortage crisis caused by contamination of the Fleet's food processing systems,
Galactica, along with her Raptors acting as pilot ships, guide the civilian Fleet through an area of
intense heat, light and radiation caused by a dense star cluster to reach edible resources on the
algae planet. Galactica's heavy armor and radiation shielding protect her from the intense effects
of the cluster, but the ship still suffers hull damage and decompressions.
The ship barely escapes both a Cylon fleet and a supernova shock wave during the events over
the algae planet, jumping out at the last moment after recovering its planet teams and data on a
new waypoint to Earth, the Ionian nebula.

Repairs continue throughout the journey to the next waypoint to earth, with Colonel Tigh
commenting that under normal circumstances the ship could use months in drydock. Damage to
one particular airlock nearly causes the deaths of Galen and Cally Tyrol. When the Fleet reaches
the Ionian Nebula, a massive Cylon fleet is detected following a power outage. Unable to flee
given the disabling of the civilian fleet, Galactica scrambles her Vipers and prepares again to fight
outnumbered and outgunned.