[Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding

[Prince Charon]

FTL Communications question II

How quickly do FTL communications travel? This includes two related questions; for clarity, each question requires a different type of response.

1. Only about as fast as existing vessels' maximum speed. Real-time conversations are only possible within the same star system, and not even all of it. Vehicle or task force commanders have a great deal of lee-way to interpret orders and make decisions, as any new orders will most likely arrive long after a crisis has been resolved.

2. TOS speeds. Real-time conversations are possible within several parsecs, but vessels far from their home base might take hours, days, or even weeks to get a response from higher authority. Vehicle or task force commanders will still have a fair bit of lee-way, though less than above. (For gaming reasons, this is my preferred option.)

3. TNG+ speeds. Real-time conversations are possible at very long ranges, and even beyond those, new orders can arrive in minutes or hours. Commanders have rather less lee-way in most cases.

4. Basically instant at all known ranges. Commanders have very little lee-way to interpret orders or improvise plans.

5. Something else (please specify).


Please include the number of your preferred option when you vote.


The speed of FTL communication varies by era, YES or NO.
(I'd prefer NO, but it did change between Star Trek TOS and Star Trek TNG.)


The speed of FTL communication varies by type, TRUE or FALSE.
(For what it's worth, TRUE allows for more reasons for some methods to be used more than others, with Telepathy probably being the fastest type, unless it has some other advantages over faster methods, like range, generator size, or energy cost.)