Fold system
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The Fold System is a fictional device in Macross and its North American counterpart, Robotech, that allows faster-than-light travel.
The Fold System is described as both allowing a ship to enter hyperspace (as described in Episode 1), and as causing time dilation (as described in Episode 10). Human scientists were initially unable to understand the fold system, and were therefore unable to test it. It is unknown whether it was the lack of understanding, or the fact that it was untested, that caused the Macross' Fold System to malfunction so spectacularly when first used (Episode 3). After the failure of the Fold System, it mysteriously vanished. No explanation for the system's vanishing is ever given in canon Robotech.
On the Macross, the Fold System appeared to form a vital part of the ship's energy distribution system. Its vanishing caused the ship to be unable to fire its main gun. Dr. Emil Lang took advantage of the modular nature of the Macross, and re-configured the ship to close the gap left by the missing Fold System, allowing the main gun to fire again.
With time, and the help of the Zentraedi, the humans were able to create new Fold Systems, the first being installed in the colony ship under the command of Misa Hayase/Lisa Hayes (Macross Flashback: 2012). Eventually, the system was refined sufficiently to allow its installation in small craft such as variable fighters (Macross Plus). The first such use was in the Project Supernova. The YF-19 used an external Fold booster, while the YF-21 appeared to have an integral Fold System.
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The concept of folding space as a method of interstellar travel is a sub-theme in the movie Event Horizon starring Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill.
