Ha'tak
A Ha'tak is a type of starship class that features in Stargate SG-1.
Contents |
History
The Ha'tak was a class of intergalactic space-capable vessel that was developed by the Goa'uld empire. (Episode: Within the Serpent's Grasp, Part 1)
The resistance from the Tau'ri resulted in the Goa'uld lord Apophis deciding to eliminate their opposition to him. Thus, he gathered his armies on two Ha'tak's where one was commanded by himself and the other by his son Klorel as they set course for Earth with the intention of conquering it. (Episode: Within the Serpent's Grasp, Part 1)
After the defeat of the Goa'uld, the Free Jaffa Nation came to take control of a number of Ha'tak vessels. (Episode: Beachhead)
Later on, the planet Kallana was targeted by the Ori who dispatched a Prior to the world. The natives refused to follow the path of Origin leading to the Ori preparing the world for their invasion of the Milky Way galaxy. This saw the generation of a growing force field that looked to encase the planet. Learning of this development, a fleet of several Ha'tak's headed by Gerak of the Free Jaffa Nation arrived to oppose the attack. However, their orbital bombardment simply strengthened the shield which began to produce components that would create a giant Stargate that could transport starships across galaxies. The components alone were of such sturdy construction that they destroyed several of the Jaffa motherships and leaving Gerak's flagship damaged forcing him to retreat from the scene. (Episode: Beachhead)
Overview
Ha'tak is a general name for vessels within this ship class, as there are many variations. The most common type consists of a superstructure with a large, golden tetrahedron in the center of the ship. The superstructure is where all major functions and stations are maintained, including the bridge (pel'tak) and the cargo bay where Tel'tak transport ships can offload their cargo. Goa'uld invasions tend to include a Ha'tak bombardment from orbit that is meant to either instill fear in the populace, or completely annihilate them. The ships of the Goa'uld are generally believed to be less powerful than Asgard ships of comparable size.
These Goa'uld attack vessels were heavily armed, shielded and capable of launching legions of gliders. (Episode: Within the Serpent's Grasp, Part 2)
For protection, the ships were capable of generating an energy field that repelled all forms of attack against it. The shield generators were located far below in the bowels of the vessel accessible through multiple decks across its length. (Episode: Within the Serpent's Grasp, Part 2) Smaller force fields were located across visual portals as there was no transparent material capable of handling the velocities sustained by faster-than-light travel. (Episode: Within the Serpent's Grasp, Part 1)
Defensive Technology: The standard Ha'tak vessel is protected by powerful deflector shields capable of repelling conventional, nuclear, and energy weapons. As seen in "Enemies," the shields are known to be capable of protecting the ship's crew from lethal radiation for up to 10 hours while hiding in the corona of a blue giant star.
Offensive Technology: The Ha'tak class of ship is equipped with numerous staff cannons. As stated within the season one episode "There But For the Grace of God", the attacking Ha'tak vessels had inflicted damage equal to 200 megatons of explosive force when attacking the US east coast. When Ha'tak ships are seen attacking ground targets throughout the series, however, the on-screen effects are usually limited to damage of a much less severe nature. The reason for the discrepancy has not been explained.
Fighter complement: A Ha'tak is capable of carrying dozens of lighter vessels within its hangars, to be launched as the situation warrants. Scores of Death Gliders are held within, capable of being launched in both space and atmosphere for defense of the mothership and for the assault of distant targets. Tel'tak cargo vessels can be carried for transport of cargo and troops between ships and down to a planets surface. Jaffa, vital for any planetary assault and for the defense of the ship from boarding parties, can be carried numbering in the thousands.
It was said that a Ha'tak was capable of travelling at ten times the speed of light. (Episode: Within the Serpent's Grasp, Part 1)
Propulsion, Travel, and Landing: The standard class of Ha'tak is able to travel at least 32,000 times the speed of light (about 3.65 light years per hour) via hyperspace; this calculation is based on the assertion of the Tok'ra-Tau'ri liaison Jacob Carter, host to Selmak, that a Ha’tak would require 125 years to travel "over 4 million light years" at maximum speed ("Exodus") although it has been said that throughout the show the speed of Goa'uld ships has been increasing. Although capable of transporting troops to the surface of a planet via the standard Ring Transporter, a Ha'tak may also land on the surface of a planet. Though anything pyramidal in shape will do (In two parallel versions of Earth, the Ha'taks have been able to land on Cheyenne Mountain), the Ha'tak is designed for easy and efficient landing on top of a properly constructed pyramid, which provides an immovable base for the ship and an easy departure point for the ships occupants.
Visual and Sensor Cloaking: Although no Ha'tak vessels were equipped with a cloaking device when the ships were first encountered by the Tau'ri, and no existing technology capable of cloaking a vessel as massive as a Ha'tak was known, when Apophis took over Sokar's fleet he possessed Ha'taks equipped with a functional cloaking device. It is unknown who invented this particular variation of the standard cloak, and the entirety of Apophis's fleet was destroyed soon afterward. No later System Lord has been seen to use similar technology.
Notes
- The Ha'tak was created by James Crocker where it featured in the setting of the Stargate: SG-1 universe.
Alternate Versions
Appearances
- Stargate SG-1:
External Link
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