Galactica

Galactica is a fictional starship that serves as the flagship battlestar of the Colonial Fleet in the Battlestar Galactica franchise. It is depicted as a large, heavily armed spacecraft that functions as both a mobile base and a command center for human defense against the Cylon threat.

The name and concept appear in multiple iterations of the franchise. In the original 1978 television series and its 1980 follow-up, Galactica fights the Cylons during the early conflicts and leads a ragtag fleet on a journey to find a new home, often referred to as Earth. The ship remains a central symbol of resilience and leadership throughout these stories.

In the 2004 reimagined series, Galactica is an older, heavily refurbished battlestar assigned to protect the last surviving humans after a devastating attack. Under the command of Admiral William Adama, it becomes the fleet’s core asset as the refugees travel across space seeking safety and a possible future.

Design and role are central to its portrayal. Galactica is shown as a capital warship with fighter hangars and support facilities, capable of launching and coordinating fighter squadrons alongside civilian vessels. The vessel’s emphasis on endurance and leadership has made it an enduring icon within science fiction.

The term Galactica has also extended beyond television into novels, comics, and games, reinforcing the ship’s significance in the franchise. The name is closely associated with galactic imagery and the broader mythos of humanity’s struggle and perseverance in the Battlestar Galactica universe.