TrueSpace

The Flagship pushes up from TrueSpace into HyperSpace.

TrueSpace refers to ordinary space-time, the dimension in which, as far as we know, all sentient life developed, and is used to contrast ordinary space-time with the exotic dimensions of HyperSpace, QuasiSpace and the theorized origin dimension of the Orz ("*below*"), as well as the mysterious "*Pretty Space*" and the little-understood "spirit world" with which the Pkunk are able to communicate. The Orz seem to emphasize this contrast, referring to TrueSpace as "heavy space.".¹ TrueSpace encompasses the three traditional spatial dimensions and a fourth time dimension (and possibly other compact dimensions), and contains the complex atomic structures of matter that form ordinary chemical substances; this complex, material structure appears to be absent in HyperSpace and QuasiSpace. The dimension is expansive; stars and galaxies within TrueSpace form tiny islands in a mostly empty, cold vacuum, whereas in HyperSpace and QuasiSpace the vast swathes of emptiness that make up most of TrueSpace appear to be strongly compressed. Because of this, travel through TrueSpace is strongly limited by relativity and the speed-of-light barrier; relativistic effects make it impossible to, for instance, establish any absolute time scale for TrueSpace chronology for a space larger than a single star system. Hence, HyperSpace-based astronomy, astro-navigation and chronology have overtaken TrueSpace-based systems for all purposes among the starfaring races.

It is assumed that all known races evolved in TrueSpace (possibly including the Arilou, who inhabit an enormous TrueSpace bubble in QuasiSpace that houses Falayalaralfali). However, events surrounding the disappearance of the Androsynth and the discovery of the Orz as well as the bizarre abilities of the Pkunk throw that into doubt, and create the possibility that intelligences, if not true material life forms, exist in other dimensions — lending credence to theories that the sentient races' superstitions, religions, and other belief systems about the supernatural may hold true in other dimensions.

Notes and references

¹From the 2007 IRC chat with Toys for Bob (robot is Fred Ford, PR3 is Paul Reiche III):

00:16 <+PulsarX> is heavyspace and truespace the same? if so, why do you have 2 different names for it?

00:16 <+PR3> I think Heavy Space was an alien's name for True space -- a different perspective.