MGLT

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In the fictional Star Wars universe, interstellar vessels are rated for their sub-light speed in a common unit — the MGLT, verbally pronounced as megalight (though this is a misnomer) — a unit of velocity in common use throughout the Old Republic, the Galactic Empire, and the New Republic.

The term was invented originally in the X-Wing computer game series as a term to explain the top speed of spacecraft in the games. Abstract measurements of speed that judged relative speed had previously been used in the Star Wars role-playing game, and the relative speeds shown in the X-Wing series were generally consistent with the speeds shown in prior materials. Within the games, 1 MGLT is approximately equal to 1 meter per second.

The acronym MGLT has never been given any official meaning. However, some fans, like Curtis Saxton and his Star Wars Technical Commentaries have attempted to derive scientific meaning from the term MGLT, and apply real-world physics to Star Wars spacecraft. It is a popular fan speculation that the acronym MGLT actually stands for Micro-Gravity Linear (Acceleration) Tolerance, a measure the rate at which the ion thrusters of a particular ship are capable of increasing the absolute speed of a vessel in a microgravity (space) environment. They believe through their computations that it is equivalent to an acceleration of approximately 400 m·s2 (meters per second squared), (assuming that spacecraft in Star Wars fly the same as real-world spacecraft, despite the World War II style dogfighting shown in the movies). Some have even claimed that the proper acronym must be actually "MGLAT", since velocity can be maintained in a frictionless environment without thrust (in real-world spacecraft).

100/400=0.25. Maintaining a speed limit of 100/ms for each 400 m·s2 of acceleration capability can create somewhat of a WWII handling style, though a bit lagged. 0.25 second velocity negation, 0.5 second velocity reversal. Both a 90 and a 180 would require 1/2 second. The turning still wouldn't be fully intuitive though because the craft would have to overturn to remove the unwanted speed in the old velocity vector if it is not a full 180.

[edit] Standard cruising speeds of various star wars spacecraft

Not surprisingly, these speeds are comparable to WWII's fighter airplanes' top speed assuming the 1 meter per second = 1 MGLT rate of movement. This is compatible with the classical dog fight common in that era, and provides a fast-paced and challenging gameplay.

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