X-303 - All About All

Prometheus (Stargate) (Redirected from X-303)

The Prometheus is a fictional spacecraft in the science-fiction television show, Stargate SG-1. The BC-303 is the production model of the X-303 (see below). The original X-303 featured in the show is named Prometheus. The Daedalus is the sister ship of the Prometheus but due to design changes the Daedalus is no longer of the same class of ship.

United States Air Force Starship Prometheus

The Prometheus, otherwise known as the BC-303 (formerly X-303), is Earth's first capital starship. Although small compared to a Goa'uld Ha'tak mothership, it is a large battlecruiser nonetheless. It dwarfs its two predecessors, the X-301 Interceptor and the X-302, which accommodate only two people each. Despite some difference of opinion (Colonel O'Neill wanted to name the ship Enterprise, on the grounds that Prometheus was "a Greek tragedy"), it was finally named Prometheus, after the Titan Prometheus of Greek mythology. Prometheus was intended to serve as the prototype for a new fleet of space-faring vessels.

Although Prometheus is the first commissioned ship of her class, the BC-303 series has already been rendered obsolete. With adaptations of alien and Asgard technology the future Prometheus class ships eventually became Daedalus class ships; their upgrades and modifications represented an entirely new class of ship based on the Prometheus class. The Prometheus is the sole BC-303 built. The BC-303 is designed to carry up to 8 F-302s for long-range duty, which can be launched and received through a launch bay even when the ship is in flight. Both the F-302 and BC-303 are capable of hyperspace travel, primarily because of advances in hyperspace technology due to the discovery of Naquadria on Jonas Quinn's homeworld.

Prometheus uses Asgard technology in its hyperdrive engine and in its weapons and shields, as well as transport beams and their attendant sensors. (There may be other uses of Asgard technology installed). This technology was fitted by the Asgard in return for Earth's help in fighting the replicators. It also relies on some Goa'uld technology. Also present are a set of transport rings, an Ancient design based on the Stargates.

The vessel is equipped with hyperspace engines, and can also operate in a planet's atmosphere and land on the surface. Research and development for the hyperdrive -- powered by Naqahdriah -- cost the U.S. over $2 billion. Prometheus' main purpose is to serve as a platform for the defense of Earth. The ship can achieve orbit in less than 30 seconds, and utilizing the sub-light engines, can travel at 110,000 miles per second. The corridors of the vessel are constructed of trinium alloys.

As part of an agreement regarding the use of the Russian stargate following the loss of the American stargate, Russia has received (in addition to a considerable periodic cash payment) the plans for both the X-302 and the X-303. It is, however, unknown whether they have actually built any of these ships.

Service

Prometheus was hijacked before completion by rogue NID agents demanding the release of Colonel Frank Simmons and the Goa'uld infested Adrian Conrad. SG-1 managed to reclaim control of the ship, and were enlisted by the Asgard to help them trap the Replicators within a time dilation bubble. The Asgard thanked Earth by fitting advanced systems onboard the X-303.

The ship was subsequently finished and began a shakedown cruise. A problem with the hyperdrive engines forced the crew to eject the reactor into space, stranding the ship on an alien world.

Prometheus remained stranded until she was fitted with the hyperdrive taken from a captured Al'kesh bomber. Unfortunately this meant that the ship was underpowered, since the Al'kesh reactor couldn't generate the power needed to fully operate Prometheus. She set out for Earth, but was attacked by an unknown alien ship en route and suffered damage while hiding from it inside a corrosive nebula. The damage was reparable, however.

Prometheus served in the defense of Earth from attack by Anubis's forces, and was almost destroyed before the Ancient weapons found in the Antarctic outpost were activated.

The ship is operated by the U.S. Air Force, and its crew consists of Air Force personnel. Operationally, Prometheus (and her following sister ships) are under the Pentagon's "Office of Homeworld Security".

Three officers have been shown in command of Prometheus: Col. William Ronson (Seasons 6 and 7), Major General George Hammond (both parts of "The Lost City" and "Prometheus Unbound") and Col. Lionel Pendergast (Seasons 8 and 9).

Weapons

The BC-303 uses conventional missiles as weapons. It also uses Vulcan/Phalanx CIWS as point defense weapons. Additional advanced weaponry such as point-defense railguns and one main railgun have also been installed on Prometheus. The Prometheus was also given some sort of Asgard weaponry. Thor mentioned the upgrades to the Prometheus and later the ships CO directly mentioned the Asgard weapons array.