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Which sci-fi universe has the slowest extensively used interstellar drive (best available)?



This is sort of the opposite of this question: Which SciFi universe has the fastest space ships (hyperspace technology)?



Since the obvious answer is just wherever there is no technology much more advanced than our own, we need to modify the question.


In order to force a unique answer, the metric we will use is: In which universe, despite having slow drive technology, have people traveled the farthest and spread over the most worlds using non-FTL drive ? The non-FTL drive has to be used because it is the fastest drive available, not for some quirky exceptional case. I.e. no one has FTL.


Obviously teleport-type technologies etc. are not allowed. There is no cheating.



Answer



In Larry Niven's Known Space stories, much of early Human Space was colonized with a combination of two different STL technologies. These were:



  • Ramrobots (automated crewless Bussard Ramjets)

  • Slowboats (large slow fusion powered ships that carry the colonists).


The Ramrobots perform the initial scouting of potential colonies, and can be used to refuel the Slowboats. The colonists are usually held in suspended animation (when stasis fields are discovered in 'World of Ptavvs'). Colonization takes decades of effort.



Using this method the following Known Space colonies are founded:



  • Jinx (Sirius A)

  • Wunderland (Alpha Centuri)

  • We Made It (Procyon A)

  • Plateau (Tau Ceti)

  • Home (Epsilon Indi)


Many of Niven's novels and short stories are set in a time before Hyperdrive with primarily fusion powered reaction drive STL ships. Humankind develop some extremely efficient fusion engines and you get everything from 1-crew Singleships to giant interstellar Slowboats.


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