How Fast was Interplanetary Communication in Star Wars?
Throughout the Star Wars saga, various forms of communication have been depicted, ranging from instantaneous to delayed. One of the most interesting discussions revolves around the speed of communication between planets, such as Tatooine and Alderaan. Let's explore this intriguing aspect of the galaxy far, far away.
Communication in The Empire Strikes Back (ESB)
One of the most widely recognized instances of interplanetary communication in the Star Wars universe is the scene in The Empire Strikes Back (ESB) where Darth Vader and the Emperor Palpatine conduct a remote conversation. This scene takes place while Vader is with his fleet at Hoth and the Emperor is presumably on Coruscant.
Significantly, there is no noticeable lag or delay during this conversation. This strongly suggests that the communication was either instantaneous or extremely fast, potentially many times faster than the speed of light. Such speed obviates the time it would take for a signal to travel between these distant planets, which are light-years apart in a realistic universe.
The Holonet: A Galaxy-Wide Communication Network
The Star Wars universe features a sophisticated communication network called the Holonet, which allows instant or near-instant communication across the galaxy. However, this technology was reserved for high-profile and imperial business, suggesting that ordinary citizens might not have had access to it. The Holonet was deemed expensive for general use, raising questions about its accessibility to the average individual.
Even if we confine ourselves to the events within the films, it is clear that communication must happen very quickly. For instance, the remains of Alderaan’s officials recognized the Millennium Falcon based on its characteristics. This recognition occurred swiftly, indicating that the message from Tatooine to Alderaan had to travel at extraordinary speeds, possibly much faster than light.
Old EU vs. New Canon
When we delve into the Old Expanded Universe (EU), the Holonet was considered to be a nearly instantaneous method of communication. Even with planets extremely far apart, communication delays were minimal, measured in microseconds. In the Outer Rim, communication might have taken a few seconds at most for planets at opposite ends of the galaxy.
However, in the current Extreme Universe (Canon), the situation is less clear. While there are instances, such as the conversations between Darth Vader and the Emperor, or Kylo Ren and Snoke, suggesting the Holonet is still extremely fast, this remains a point of contention.
Given the advanced nature of the Star Wars universe, it is conceivable that the Holonet could achieve near-instantaneous communication through some form of hyper-advanced technology. This technology might be reserved for critical and urgent communications, such as those needed for military operations or high-level negotiations.
Conclusion
Interplanetary communication in the Star Wars universe is a fascinating topic that has been explored inconsistently across different eras of the franchise. While the Holonet promises instantaneous communication, practical and narrative considerations often lead to significant delays. Nevertheless, the technology of the Star Wars universe remains one of its most compelling and mysterious aspects, leaving fans and scholars alike to ponder its true capabilities.