Jumpgate
From The Great Machine
A jumpgate is a large machine that allows vessels to enter hyperspace. These structures are permanently affixed in space and open a jump point through which a ship can enter hyperspace. Jumpgates use a rare material called Quantium 40 to create jump points.
Jumpgates are primarily used by small ships or commercial vessels that do not have jumpdrives and, thus, the ability to create their own jumppoints.
The jumpgates consist of 3 or 4 long rail-like spine structures positioned parallel to each other in space (Most jumpgates use 4 spines, though Narn gates have only 3 spines.) These structures comprise the vortex generators that create the jump point as well as solar panels for generating power. While the jumpgate spines remain at fixed distances from each other during operation, they can be moved further apart to accomodate larger vessels at the expense of more power (many large vessels have their own jumpdrives, however, and can produce enough power to create their own jumppoints).
A jumpgate is activated remotely and can be controlled in normal space to a certain extent. A ship wishing to enter hyperspace can activate the jumpgate sequence by transmitting an authorization code that can be blocked by the jumpgate controller. Ships wishing to leave hyperspace may do so without issue.
Since jumpgate technology is shared between the various alien races, most jumpgates are identical in design and function. For Humans, Explorer Class vessels are used to deploy most jumpgates.
It can be assumed that since Quantium-40 is a rare element/compound/material, that the reason for Narn gates only having three spines is simply that they could not afford (in terms of material costs) to build a more typical jumpgate design. Since the Narn are also famous for their ability to collect and reverse engineer Centauri technology, it could be said that they were able to make a three-spined jumpgate function in the same manner a four-spined jumpgate would using their understated engineering prowess.
