Space bridge

The space bridge appears in several Transformer continuities. The exact properties of the space bridge vary, but typically they serve as a more convienient means moving Transformers from one planet to another than the traditional means of space travel.

Space bridges are nonetheless distinct from Transwarp in that their primary function is movement through space, not time, though the time taken to traverse a space bridge seems to depend on the technology used.

Generation 1 Cartoon

The Space Bridge was apparently first conceived by Shockwave in 1984, as a means of transport back to Cybertron for the Decepticons stranded on Earth, and to allow them to ferry energon cubes to revitalize the planet. Capable of virtually instantaneous transport to other galaxies, the mechanics of the Space Bridge are not particularly clear, but appear to either involve some form of interdimensional displacement, or matter-energy transformation.

The Cybertronic end of the Space Bridge is a fixture in Shockwave's command centre, where it takes the form of a cylindrical tube resembling an Earthen elevator, the top of which projects outside of the centre's dome; it is through this open end that transportees enter or depart. The Earth-based end of the Space Bridge is decidedly more flexible - the Decepticons frequently constructed new Space Bridges in various locations, normally in the form of a large metal rings. Early Earth-built Space Bridge access points proved somewhat unstable, and in order to shuttle energon cubes, transportees were required to ferry them over the bridge a small vehicle, which rolled into the ring on a train-like track, and then had to be piloted along a "beam of light" with particular concentration. Some Decepticons displayed pronounced horror at being chosen for this unenviable task, and in the very first practice run of the mechanism, the villains opted to use the captive Spike Witwicky, rather than risk any of their number. Megatron, however, soon proved able to traverse the bridge without a craft, and the technology was apparently refined so that transportees and energon cubes merely had to enter the ring on their own to make the journey.

The Space Bridge technology was taken to its ultimately extent when the Decepticons constructed three colossal pylons that would generate a "space pyramid," the apex of which extended to Cybertron's location in another galaxy. Using this, Cybertron was transported into Earth's orbit for a brief period, but was later blasted off into space to save the planet. Cybertron remained in the Milky Way galaxy, however - perhaps the reduced distance between it and Earth could account for the increased safety of Space Bridge transit. The process could, however, still go wrong, as it did when the Decepticons attempted to convert a baseball field into a new Space Bridge site, and a malfunction blasted a small group of Transformers to an alien world of giants. The Space Bridge was also used for planetary transportation once more when the Combaticon Onslaught wired his missile guidance systems into it and used it's powers to redirect the orbit of Earth, intended to send it spiralling into the sun, only to be stopped by an Autobot-Decepticon team-up.

Headmasters

Although the Space Bridge fell into disuse when the Autobots relcaimed Cybertron in 2005, rather than dismantle it since Vector Sigma maintained an Autobot power balance on the planet, thereby rendering the Decepticons unable to use it - it is apparent that they studied and duplicated the technology, installing their own Space Bridge network that allowed for easy transport between Cybertron, Earth and the planet Athenia, with fixed Space Bridge receptors in each base (the transport beam was, of course, now the traditional Autobot orange, as opposed to the Decepticons' iconic purple). Their failure to destroy the Decepticon Space Bridge, however, came back to bite them when the release of the Matrix's energy to cure the Hate Plague caused Vector Sigma to destabilise in 2011, allowing the Decepticons to use the Space Bridge to invade Cybertron.

When Mars was destroyed by Scorponok, the gravimetric balance of the solar system was disrupted, making Space Bridge travel to Earth unstable. This soon ceased to be an issue, however, when the Decepticons headed off on an interplanetary energy raid, and, in order to slow the Autobots down, Sixshot destroyed the Earth-based Space Bridge, causing a chain reaction that detonated the entire network.

(Note: The destruction of the Space Bridge left the only means to travel to Earth as the Trainbots and Battleship Maximus. After the Headmasters series, this reduced ability to travel to Earth is one of the reasons for the heavy human involvement in the following series, Masterforce, since Transformers are mostly unable to join the battle on Earth themselves.

Marvel Comics

(Note: Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.)

Get it? Space "bridge"? Ahahaha.

The space bridge was built by Lord Straxus' Cybertronic Decepticons, in response to the discovery that Megatron's lost group of Decepticons was alive and had set up operations on Earth. The bridge, which resembles a normal Earthen suspension bridge when not in use, has two halves; one which which remains stationary on Cybertron, and another which teleports to Earth. Passing through the bridge's central arch transports objects across vast distances, instantly and painlessly. Although a properly functioning space Bridge is a far more pleasant mode of transportation than the more fuel-efficient Autobot version, the Trans-Time Dimensional Portal, an improperly calibrated space bridge will annihilate any object or being who attempts to pass through its arch. Lord Straxus illustrated this fact when Blaster sent him over the edge during transit.

The original space bridge was built from the vast body of Spanner, a neutral scientist who had been captured by Straxus's forces and forced to design the Bridge. After the space bridge was almost completely destroyed, a new Bridge was built to replace it.

Unicron Trilogy

Space bridges are the main mode of traveling in the Unicron Trilogy. Unlike their Generation 1 counterparts, they do not appear to need use of a fixed device at both ends.

From Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki, a Wikia wiki.