The Ultimate Guide to the Most Epic Battlestar Galactica Ships and Futuristic Technology

Highlights

Battlestar Galactica takes place in a dangerous universe where survivors of a devastating attack must face power struggles and constant attacks from the robotic Cylons.

The ships in Battlestar Galactica have differing levels of quality of life, except for Cloud 9, a luxurious liner with both peaceful and dangerous aspects.

Pegasus, despite its advanced technology, faces difficulties in surpassing its older counterpart Galactica due to challenges with command and crew. The Cylon Centurions present a terrifying opposition, although some eventually form a cooperative alliance with the humans.

In the perilous universe of Battlestar Galactica, power struggles and dangerous adversaries await. After a devastating assault on the Twelve Colonies, the remaining human survivors embark on a treacherous journey back to Earth. Throughout their odyssey, the refugee fleet faces dissent from within, ethical dilemmas, and relentless attacks from the robotic Cylons.

Under the leadership of Admiral William Adama and President Laura Roslin, the survivors must rely on their dwindling fleet and advanced technology to endure. While technology presents a threat in the form of the Cylons, it may also hold the key to the survival of the human race.

8 Cloud 9

The quality of life on starships varies greatly in the science fiction genre. While some, like the Enterprise-D, are portrayed as utopian, others, like the claustrophobic Nostromo from Alien, present a completely different atmosphere. Battlestar Galactica typically depicts dark, industrial interiors for most of the human fleet, although there are exceptions.

Among these exceptions is Cloud 9, an enormous luxury liner. This pleasure cruiser features a large domed area that houses natural grasslands and trees, providing a space for refugees to relax and decompress. However, Cloud 9 is not without its share of unrest. It serves as a hub for a bustling black market and is the setting for various power struggles and deadly conflicts.

7 Pegasus

Surviving the Cylon's initial assault, Pegasus emerges as one of the few ships from the Colonial Fleet. During Battlestar Galactica's second season, Pegasus rendezvouses with the refugee convoy. As a newer model compared to Galactica, Pegasus initially brings promise to the fleet. However, the strained relationship between Galactica's Adama and Pegasus's Helena Cain results in a tense standoff between the two ships.

The ongoing issues faced by Pegasus highlight that raw technological power does not guarantee a vessel's success. Despite its technological superiority, Pegasus struggles with its command and crew, never managing to overshadow its older counterpart.

6 Cylon Centurion

The Cylon Centurion, formidable and fearsome, serves as the foot soldier for the Cylon forces, proving themselves to be formidable adversaries for humanity. In Battlestar Galactica, when the Twelve Colonies are assaulted by the Cylons, Centurions are dispatched to ruthlessly attack both space-based and planetary installations without any regard for mercy.

Nevertheless, certain Centurions eventually gain self-awareness and reluctantly join forces with the remaining humans, forming a fragile alliance. Despite the potential for future conflict, this collaboration between the Cylon rebels and humanity demonstrates that peaceful coexistence might not be an unattainable aspiration.

5 Viper

The Viper, a solitary pilot aircraft, plays a crucial role in defending the refugee convoy. Galactica, like all Battlestars, houses numerous Vipers, which are launched from within the carrier vessel. These fighters are armed with double kinetic energy weapons and are powered by miniature nuclear reactors. Led by the skilled pilot Starbuck, the Viper crews often emerge victorious in battles against the Cylon forces.

However, the versatility of these agile ships extends beyond dogfights. They are also observed providing escort services to other auxiliary vessels, such as the Raptor, a FTL-equipped shuttlecraft carried on board Galactica. Different versions of the Viper, including the classic Mark I and the larger and more nimble Mark III, are featured in Battlestar Galactica.

4 Cylon Raider

The Cylon Raider, an imposing starfighter, continuously harasses the refugee convoy throughout Battlestar Galactica. Launched from the colossal Cylon Basestars, these vessels pose a significant threat to Galactica and the ships under its protection. Within the fleet, individual Raiders gain infamy, with one particular Raider, known as Scar, earning the animosity of Galactica's pilots.

Starbuck, a skilled pilot, manages to alter a crashed Raider into a human-compatible craft. To her surprise, she discovers that beneath its metallic exterior lies an organic operating system. Ronald D. Moore, the writer, compares Raiders to horses, explaining that they possess life but lack intelligence. Nevertheless, they remain formidable adversaries.

3 Humanoid Cylon

The robotic Cylon Centurion is a clear threat to humanity, but there is a more sinister force hiding within the convoy's ships. These humanoid Cylons appear to be natural humans, which allows them to infiltrate and eliminate the refugees. They not only carry out terrorist attacks but also create a growing sense of paranoia. Tricia Helfer's captivating portrayal of Number Six has become synonymous with the humanoid Cylons and has become an iconic aspect of the franchise. Additionally, the presence of humanoid Cylons in the series allowed the writers to reference the contemporary War on Terror, giving the show a real-world context.

2 FTL Drive

FTL technology, a common theme in science fiction, allows for fast travel in space. From Star Trek's warp drive to Star Wars' hyperspace, this ability to traverse large distances quickly is a crucial aspect of space opera stories. Battlestar Galactica is no different, with its own FTL drive playing a significant role in many episodes.

However, like any technology, FTL drives have their limitations. Galactica's FTL drive is not as advanced as the Cylons', resulting in the human refugees in the early episode "33" having to jump every 33 minutes to avoid capture. Therefore, the FTL drive serves not only as an impressive piece of technology but also as a plot device that creates intense and suspenseful moments.

1 Galactica

The Battlestar Galactica, after a stroke of luck, manages to survive the attack from the Cylons on the Twelve Colonies. Unlike its sister ships, the older carrier ship is not connected to the same network, which prevents it from being infected by the crippling malware. As a result, Galactica is able to reach its destination safely and becomes the guardian of the diverse group of refugees.

The iconic design of Galactica in the reboot series draws inspiration from the original model from the 1970s. It successfully captures the gritty aesthetic of the revival. Despite its age, Galactica is an impressive vessel, measuring almost 5,000 feet in length and equipped with a formidable arsenal, including numerous deadly Vipers and a stockpile of nuclear weapons. This is due, in part, to the strategic brilliance of its commander, William Adama.