Asgard technology in Stargate
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- This article provides a more exhaustive list of the fictional technologies used by the Asgard race in the Stargate universe.
- For a listing of their more prominent technologies see the main technology article.
The Asgard possess a considerably higher level of technology than the Goa'uld, and rival the Ancients. All Asgard technology is dependent on neutronium.
They do not reproduce in the strictest sense; continuity as a species is maintained through a process of cloning and mind transferral, although this has resulted in a decay of the Asgard genome. While the Asgard maintain a large fleet of ships with defensive capabilities, as a whole they are not a militaristic race, and they strongly disapprove of the use of technology for aggressive purposes.
All of the Asgard's technology was shared by their primary adversary, the Replicators (The Replicators were continually scavenging technology, especially from the Asgard as they were the most advanced in their galaxy). All Asgard technology now belongs to the Tau'ri, a gift given to them before self-destructing their homeworld to avoid their death by the hands of a plague and Ori invasion.
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[edit] Auto-Dialer
The Asgard Auto-Dialer is a small, stone-shaped device that can be used to establish a stable wormhole to a predetermined address (stored within the device) without the need for the lengthy dialing sequence or a DHD to even a distant galaxy without a ZPM connected to the gate. The device also appears to create a wormhole without the standard "kawoosh". [1] First used by Thor, it was later used by Cassandra, 80 years in the future. [2]
[edit] Asgard weapons
Throughout SG-1, several different styles of Asgard weaponry are shown. Their ships are apparently equipped with energy cannons, [3], as well as the fact that they can use their transporter system offensively to great effect. [4] However, as a peaceful race, much of their military strength is never shown.
Although Thor at first offered the Tau'ri Asgard-designed weapons to install on the Prometheus [5], the Asgard eventually chose not to give this type of technology to Earth, fearing corrupt humans would use it against them. [6]
One Asgard weapon was loaned to the SGC by Kvasir to make the Stargate's wormhole divert through a black hole, in order to send alternate SG-1's back to their own realities, although it was eventually returned to them. [7]
Asgard weaponry would be shown at its height at the season finale of season 10 of SG-1 when Asgard weapons and technology were deployed on the Odyssey. These differed from previous versions as they fired numerous short beams (with a compelling similarity to those on a Replicator infested ship in the episode "Enemies" [8] suggesting this was yet more stolen Asgard technology) which were capable of overcoming Ori shield technology in a handful of shots and completly destroying Ori Motherships in a 'fair' fight. [9]
[edit] Central Computer Core
The last episode of SG-1 showed the introduction of the sophisticated Asgard Computer Core which was installed into the Human ship, the Odyssey. The core contained all the Asgard's knowledge and legacy as they were now a dying race who would commit racial suicide to end their suffering from a wasting disease. The core contains all Asgard knowledge which can be accessed through Asgard computer consoles and covered aspects from beaming technology to time dilation fields. Beyond this interface, an Asgard hologram provides personal guidance for the user on the technology being used. The core was also equipped with an Asgard power source [9]
[edit] Beaming technology
The Asgard beaming device is a teleportation system used to instantly transport a person or object(s) from one place to another over massive distances. Unlike the Ancient Ring Transporter, the object in transport does not need to be on a platform, and can be beamed to anywhere, not just another platform. This technology is a great tactical advantage, but also provides great usefulness in society.
The beaming technology is mostly contained on Asgard ships; however, Anubis was able to steal the technology from the Asgard by probing Thor's mind. [10] As a result, he was able to use the technology on a mass scale. Beaming devices have also been installed on the now-destroyed Prometheus [11] and the more recent Daedalus class battlecruisers The technology was used aggressively to teleport detonating nuclear bombs onto nearby Wraith Hive-Ships. However, the Wraith quickly jammed the teleportation signal. The Asgard themselves do not employ this tactic, as they have issues with using technology for offensive purposes. [6]
Besides people and small objects, the beam device is apparently capable of beaming large objects, from Stargates [12] to complete skyscrapers. [13]
The beaming technology could also be modified to create matter from energy and allowed the creation of 'replicated' food, supplies and other equipment. [9]
[edit] Knowledge base
Near the ending of their civilization the Asgard summoned the Tau'ri to Orilla, Thor explained that the Asgard are dying and that they will soon be gone. Following this many Asgard beamed aboard the Odyssey (likeley scientists and engineers) to install the most cutting edge Asgard technology, including the entire knowledge base of the Asgard, this is a highly advanced computer that stores everything ever learnt by the Asgard including their entire recorded history (Similar to the Ancient database). They also included the most modern Asgard energy weapons (these weapons are so powerful that they penetrated an Ori battlecruiser's shield and destroy it in six shots or less). Another technology included is an Asgard energy core, which is a power source likeley similar in potential to a ZPM. Since the knowledge base contains all the knowledge of the Asgard (most likeley including instructions on how to replicate the Asgard technology) the highly advanced Asgard technology will likely be replicated and installed on other Tau'ri vessels and bases.
[edit] Cloning
Since the Asgard are unable to reproduce sexually, they have almost perfected cloning technology, and build populations with clones. To preserve particular lives, a new body is cloned and the old consciousness is transferred into a new body. The technology for mind-transferral is unique to the Asgard. A cloned Asgard has a very primitive mind, almost no mind at all, until it receives a transferral. [14] However, this process is not without its drawbacks. Throughout the series, the Asgard mention that their race is slowly dying because their clones are deterriorating due to overuse, and many resources have been invested in research to combat this problem. [10]
[edit] Holographic technology
The holographic technology of the Asgard is very highly advanced. It is able to send a holographic image of something to a place far away, even over many light years. These technologies are often incorporated into the Halls on their protected planets, and utilize them in communications with the High Council. [15]
This device is often used to produce a holographic image of a person, which then is sent to the people with whom the person wants to talk. Holographic projections can also be used strategically, to distract enemy troops from battle without risk to the user. [10] This technology was copied by Anubis from Thor's mind and used several times to contact Earth. [16]
[edit] Hyperdrive
Asgard hyperdrives are designed to reach distant galaxies in minutes. [1] They gave Earth their hyperdrive systems for the new Daedalus class battlecruisers as thanks for helping defeat the Replicators. However, the Earth ships' power sources are much weaker, and hyperdrives on Asgard ships are more advanced on their own ships, so it takes them three weeks to get to the Pegasus Galaxy, though this speed is still far beyond anything other advanced races such as the Goa'uld or Wraith can accomplish. A ZPM would allow the ships to reach Pegasus in four days. [6] The Odyssey was recently fitted with the newer Hyperdrive, and soon all of the Tau'ri ships will. It takes a standard Asgard ship one week to travel to Atlantis
[edit] Mind-Transferal System
The Asgard have a technology that allows them to preserve an individual's consciousness by transferring it into a computer system. This system is used to maintain an Asgard's mind until it is ready to be transferred to a new clone body. However, it has been used for other purposes.
Thor's consciousness was once downloaded into the computer of a Goa'uld mothership by Anubis, who was attempting to access the information contained within Thor's mind. However, Thor's mind managed to overpower the Goa'uld computer and, at the time, he contolled various portions of the ships systems to allow SG-1 to escape from the ship. Unfortunately, though they managed to rescue his body while they escaped, Thor's mind remained within the Goa'uld computer. Over time, he gradually seized more and more control of the ship until he had assumed nearly total dominance of the vessel, taking the Ha'tak to Earth, where his mind was removed from the system and reimplanted into a new body. [17]
This system was also used to transfer Jack O'Neill's mind to the computer on Thor's new ship, the Daniel Jackson, after he had been frozen in the Ancient outpost under the ice of Antarctica. Thor's reasons for doing this were to access the Ancient database stored in O'Neill's mind to find a weapon to use against the Replicators. However, the first thing Jack did while in control of the ship's main computer was to turn the lights on and off repeatedly. [3]
[edit] Personal Cloaking Device
A small hand-held device used by the Asgard. When the device is applied to the body of an individial and then activated, the person becomes inivisible. This device was used by the people of PX3-595, an Asgard protected planet, to hide from predators.
In 2000, SG-9 attempted to negotiate for the device, but was unable to obtain one. Harry Maybourne later sent a rogue team temporarily led by Jack O'Neill to steal the device, which was later brought back to Earth by Colonel Makepeace. Presumably, the device was returned to the Asgard along with other stolen technologies. [18]
[edit] Replicator Disrupter Satellite
Planet-defending version of the smaller Replicator disruptor, designed to disintegrate Replicator vessels on a planetary scale. The disruptor itself was based on Ancient technology, although the Asgard were able to adapt it for their own uses. The satellite was compatible with human computers and could be remodulated to target Replicator ships who had made themselves immune to previous attacks by the technology. This remodulation could occur while the satellite was in orbit over the base.
According to Thor, the most effective deployment would be geosynchronous orbit above the base at an altitude of 33,785 kilometers with a zero inclination. [19]
[edit] Sensors
Asgard sensors are highly advanced. They can scan through Goa'uld shields and pinpoint life signs from far away, and are also what allows their beaming technology to lock on to an object so accurately. [10] A (probably cruder) version was installed on the Earth ships of the Daedalus class. [6]
[edit] Shields
Energy shields are the primary defense technology used by Asgard starships. As the technology was shared by the Asgard with the Tau'ri after their contributions in defeating the Replicators, the Earth-designed Prometheus- [11] and Daedalus-class battlecruisers are also protected by Asgard shields. [6] This gives them great superiority over most other space-faring races in both the Milky Way [20] and Pegasus Galaxy. [6]
Asgard shields create an elliptical "bubble" around the starship that absorbs and diffuses the energy from weapons fire. The shields will gradually weaken under sustained fire, rather quickly if the attack is of sufficient force, allowing energy from attacks to bleed through, causing damage to the ship. Although additional energy can be allocated to the shield bubble to reinforce it, ultimately the only way for a ship to survive a continual attack is to withdraw, and give the shields time to recharge. [6]
Asgard shields are more effective than most Goa'uld energy shields, except when facing foes of an equal or superior technological level. [10] However, the strength of these shields is relative to the power channeled into the shield system.
[edit] Starships
The starships of the Asgard Fleet are among the most advanced ever encountered by the SGC. Their ships are equipped with powerful hyperdrives, enabling them to traverse thousands of light years in minutes. Interestingly, these ships are capable of operating with as few as one Asgard on board, suggesting that their ships possess highly advanced AI. However, in one instance, Thor has made a reference to evacuating his crew. [21]
[edit] Thor's Hammer
Thor's Hammer was a two-part device left by the Asgard on the planet Cimmeria to protect its people. Anyone who came to the planet via the Stargate was instantly scanned by the Hammer, which detected whether or not they were hosts to a Goa'uld. If the Hammer determined that the visitor was a host, it transported them to an underground labyrinth.
In this labyrinth, the Goa'uld was forced to make a choice between spending eternity inside the bleak caves or meet its own doom. The labyrinth's only exit was through the second part of the Hammer, which would kill a Goa'uld symbiote whilst preserving the host. The device was destroyed to allow Teal'c to escape the labyrinth. [22] After a new version was contructed by the Asgard, Thor's Hammer now allows Teal'c to come and go to this planet through the Stargate without getting sent to the Labyrinth. [4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Small Victories" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "1969" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ a b New Order, Part I" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ a b "Thor's Chariot" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Disclosure" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ a b c d e f g "The Siege, Part III" (Stargate Atlantis)
- ^ "Ripple Effect" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Enemies"
- ^ a b c "Unending" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ a b c d e "Revelations" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ a b "Ethon" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Off the Grid" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Ex Deus Machina" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Covenant" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Red Sky" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Redemption" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Descent" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Shades of Grey" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Gemini" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Company of Thieves" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Nemesis" (Stargate SG-1)
- ^ "Thor's Hammer" (Stargate SG-1)
