sublight drive

• Appeared in:
  
  I
  II
  III
  IV
  V
  VI
  CW

• Type:
  Starship propulsion system

• Manufacturer:
  Various, including Incom, Sienar Fleet Systems, Corellian Engineering Corporation and Rendili StarDrive.

• 

From the Movies

Sublight drives are the engines that push starships through space. Unlike hyperdrives, sublight drives cannot move a vessel faster than the speed of light. A common model of sublight drive is an ion engine, which propels a craft by hurling ionic particles at extreme speeds in the opposite direction of travel. TIE fighters employ twin ion engines to achieve their remarkable sublight speeds.

From the Expanded Universe

The most popular model of sublight drive is the basic Hoersch-Kessel ion drive. Internal fusion reactions generate charged particles that are hurled from the rear of the vessel, producing thrust. Additional ion engines employed as lateral thrusters provide maneuverability on larger vessels, though smaller ones use specialized vectrals to redirect thrust, or employ an etheric rudder or similar device.

Ion engine emissions are mildly radioactive, and technicians who work on vital ion engine components often wear protective gear. This radioactive byproduct has led to a common landing protocol: when in an atmosphere, a ship relies on its cleaner repulsorlifts for the majority of its propulsion. Once in orbital space, where repulsorlifts become ineffective, a ship switches to its more powerful sublight drives. In order to leave system, a ship must use its hyperdrive to travel at superluminal velocities.

Behind the Scenes

For the creation of a TIE fighter's distinct wailing engine sound, Sound Designer Ben Burtt combined a sampled elephant scream with the sound of cars traveling at high speeds down a slick road. These were further modified into the familiar screaming sound.