Interstellar Spaceflight

Interstellar spaceflight was developed by Urum Kankal in the year 3990 CC. Advanced propulsion technologies allowed an unmanned probe to make a roundtrip voyage to a star located ten lightyears from the homeworld. Genetic longevity augmentations, developed shortly thereafter, gave humans the ability to survive the voyages to foreign systems.

Faster-than-light travel is presently impossible.

Fundamentals
Interstellar travel is a fairly simple process. A vessel accelerates to its maximum recommended speed - which is largely determined by hull strength - using a powerful main engine. It coasts at maximum speed until it approaches its destination. At that point, the vessel fires its equally powerful retro engines to slow down. If retro engines are not present, as may be the case with smaller craft, the vessel flips 180 degrees and uses the main engine to decelerate.

Once at approach speed, the vessel performs minor adjustments and enters orbit around the intended destination.

Typical Transit Speeds
In which c = the speed of light.
 * Small civilian vessels: 0.70c - 0.75c
 * Large vessels and warships: 0.85c
 * Experimental vessels: 0.90c +

Safety
Acceleration is simple. Keeping the vessel safe at maximum speed is the real problem. The smallest rock floating through space can become a weapon if it is struck at relativistic speed. Numerous interstellar vessels have been destroyed by debris -- some objects no bigger than a child's doll.

Ultra-dense hulls are designed to withstand minor impacts during an interstellar voyage. The outer layer of armored plating is often replaced or repaired once the vessel has arrived at its destination.

Most vessels produce their own artificial magnetic fields to help protect passengers from radiation.

Repulsor shielding, while incapable of withstanding strikes from enemy weapon systems, is capable of 'brushing' small objects out of harm's way.

Time Required to Accelerate
The time it takes to reach maximum speed is dependent upon the power of the main engine. Most vessels use low-powered engines designed for fuel efficiency.

High-performance military vessels are capable of reaching maximum speed in a matter of days. Smaller civilian craft may take years to reach maximum speed and require just as much time to slow back down.

Surpassing "Maximum" Speed
A vessel can deliberately surpass its maximum recommended speed by burning the main engine longer than standard procedure would dictate. Doing this consumes more fuel. Surpassing max-rec speed involves numerous dangers. The hull endures additional stress, and objects which may accidentally strike the vessel become more dangerous.

This practice is employed by military warships during emergency situations, and it is a tactic that is used sparingly due to the inherent dangers of pushing the vessel beyond its designed limitations.

The fastest voyage on record was made by an experimental Kankal vessel which, surpassing its recommended speed, reached 0.97c.