Space bridge
The space bridge (also spelled spacebridge, Spacebridge, or Space Bridge) is a form of interplanetary transport, allowing Transformers to move from one planet to another almost instantaneously without the need for a spacecraft, via a "short-cut" through the extradimensional realm of transwarp space. Early models required machinery at both ends of the bridge to open a stable dimensional portal, but later iterations of the technology consisted only of a generator at the departure point, which could open bridges to the desired location without the need of a receiver at the other end. Centuries into the future, space bridges have evolved into Transwarp Drive, allowing vessels to generate their own portals wherever required.
Fiction
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Transformers 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. The bridge requires a mechanism at both ends in order to successfully open a portal traversing the interdimensional void: On Cybertron, this mechanism is a fixture in Shockwave's command center, where it takes the form of an elevator-like cylindrical tube, the top of which projects outside of the center's dome, while on Earth, it takes the form of a circular metal ring. Due to the constant relative motion of Earth and Cybertron to one another, however, the optimum location on Earth for the space bridge to open constantly changes, requiring the Decepticons to construct new bridges regularly. Transport to Oblivion
The bridge's operation commences with the ring projecting beams of energy that converge at an apex in the sky above its center, opening a dimensional portal. The bridge's contents (usually along with a great deal of rock and detritus) are then drawn into the portal, which closes with a large discharge of energy. On the Cybertronic end, the travelers arrival is marked by a beam or gusher of energy arriving from deep space. Transport to Oblivion
In early uses of the space bridge, the dimensional portal could only remain open and stable for a maximum of 11 minutes. Early space bridge travel likewise proved somewhat unstable, and required the use of a small vehicle to safely transport any cargo. The vehicle was rolled into the ring on a railed structure, and then had to be piloted along "a beam of light". Some Decepticons displayed pronounced horror at being chosen for this unenviable task, as not staying on the light beam would cause the pilot and cargo to "cease to exist". Divide and Conquer 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. Transport to Oblivion
After being knocked into the bridge by accident, Megatron proved able to traverse the bridge without a craft. Transport to Oblivion Several Autobots likewise survived the trip in their vehicle forms. Divide and Conquer After this, the need for the craft seems to have been removed, as many Transformers and various cargoes would travel by space bridge with no vessel and no difficulties. On one occasion, two humans in a convertible even made the trip with no ill effects. Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1 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. Child's Play
The space bridge technology was taken to its ultimate 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. The Ultimate Doom, Part 1 Cybertron was later removed from Earth's orbit by an explosion; though never explicitly addressed, this event by rights should have left Cybertron much closer to Earth, possibly accounting for the ease of travel between the two planets thereafter. The Ultimate Doom, Part 3
The space bridge was used for planetary transportation once more when the Combaticon Onslaught wired his missile guidance systems into it and used its powers to redirect the orbit of Earth, intending to send it spiraling into the sun, only to be stopped by an Autobot-Decepticon team-up. The Revenge of Bruticus
The space bridge fell into disuse when the Autobots reclaimed Cybertron in 2005, and throughout 2006, both they and the Decepticons were shown to rely on more mundane means of space travel (shuttles, self-propelled flight) in addition to space bridge-like devices called "warp gates" located throughout space. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5
The Headmasters cartoon
By the year 2011, the Autobots had studied and duplicated the space bridge technology for their own use. They developed their own space bridge network, allowing 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). Four Warriors Come out of the Sky They did not, however, destroy the original Decepticon space bridge, as the Decepticons were unable to use it to travel to the planet due to Vector Sigma maintaining an Autobot balance of power. This proved to be a mistake, however, when the Matrix's energy was released in 2010 to cure the Hate Plague; this caused Vector Sigma to become destabilized, and the Decepticons were able to exploit this to use the space bridge to invade Cybertron. The Mystery of Planet Master
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; in order to slow the Autobots down, Sixshot destroyed the Earth-based space bridge, causing a chain reaction that detonated the entire network. Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!
The destruction of the space bridge left the only means to travel to Earth as the Trainbots and Battleship Maximus (or on one occasion, Broadside). Terror! The Six Shadows This reduced ability to travel to Earth is one of the reasons for the heavy human involvement in the following battles, since Transformers are mostly unable to join the battle on Earth themselves. Master File No, 1
Wings Universe
In 2010, reinforcements from Autobot City arrived via the Geneva space bridge nexus to support Pyro Ignatius Spark's Autobots against the Decepticon Syndicate at the Large Hadron Collider. Generation 2: Redux
In 2013, Alpha Team and Bravo Team of the united Autobot-Decepticon forces used a space bridge in order to transport to Cybertron and take down Jhiaxus. A Common Foe
In 2984, the Decepticon mercenary Flamewar attacked the Autobot outpost Galadria, hoping to use its space bridge to escape the persistent bounty hunter Devcon. She was subsequently recruited by the Star Seekers, however, and together, they space-bridged into Unicron's head, hoping to use it to steal all of Cybertron's energon. This, however, attracted the attention of the Cybertronian Knights, who in turn space-bridged into Unicron's head and defeated the pirates. Hoist the Flag
Marvel The Transformers comics
On Cybertron, a captured Blaster was taken to appear before Lord Straxus, who was in a vast construction chamber overseeing the assembly of the space bridge. Blaster later escaped custody. The Smelting Pool!
Later, the Decepticons tested the space by attempting to send Crosscut to Earth. The attempt was unsuccessful and Crosscut's remains returned in pieces. The bridge, which resembles a normal Earthly suspension bridge when not in use, had two halves; one which remained stationary on Cybertron, and another which teleported to Earth.
After a second mishap resulting in another Decepticon casualty, the scientist Spanner was contacted through his transceiver and identified a problem with the bridge's archway fuel line. Lord Straxus ordered Shrapnel to fix it. These incidents were observed by Blaster, who reported the information to Perceptor. The Autobots made plans to destroy the space bridge and rescue Spanner, who was previously kidnapped by the Decepticons and forced to help design the space bridge.
Straxus sent a message to the Earthbound Decepticons informing them he received their broadcast[1] and was preparing the interdimensional space bridge to aid them in their conquest of Earth.
The Autobots made their attack, targeting Straxus's fortress which caused a distraction allowing Blaster to set bombs on the space bridge. The space bridge itself transformed, revealing itself to actually be the kidnapped scientist Spanner, whose body was rebuilt into the bridge. Spanner begged Blaster to go ahead with his plans to bomb the bridge but Blaster hesitated, the Decepticons arrived and the space bridge was activated.
A battle on the activated bridge ensued and any combatant unlucky enough to get thrown over the side exploded while falling into interstellar space. Straxus arrived and battled Blaster. During the fight, the space bridge's fuel line was cut and Straxus was thrown over the side, exploding to pieces. With the fuel lines cut the space bridge destabilized but not before a group of Autobots crossed over to Earth. The Bridge to Nowhere!
Ultra Magnus used one of Spanner's prototype space bridges the Autobots had access to to transport to Earth. That prototype space bridge was quite unstable and really shook Ultra Magnus up. Target: 2006
The Decpepticons repaired the space bridge and used it to transport the Insecticons and "Coneheads" to Earth. They also used it to transport an enormous drill through the portal in a scheme to drill through Hoover Dam in an attempt to steal its energy. The drill was destroyed and the Earth half of the bridge disappeared. Aerialbots over America!
The Battlechargers were summoned to Earth from Cybertron, presumably using the space bridge. Decepticon Graffiti!
Optimus Prime considered the space bridge to be a major threat made destroying it a priority. Meanwhile, the Predacons were summoned to Earth via the space bridge as part of an elaborate Decepticon double-cross plot to kill a mentally unstable Megatron, which involved the Predacons pretending to hunt down Optimus Prime. Prey! Optimus Prime and Megatron ended up in mortal combat which was going badly for Megatron. Megatron opened the space bridge with a remote control in hopes of escaping. While the bridge was still materializing, Optimus Prime hurled them both through in a desperate measure. Optimus Prime and Megatron were each transported to different parts of Cybertron. ...The Harder They Die!
Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus later met up with Megatron, who was a bit dazed and confused after recently having his mind forcibly fused with Straxus, whose head had survived his own space bridge encounter. Megatron was not putting up much of a fight, but at that point Optimus Prime had had it with Megatron, and was determined to execute him. Megatron resorted to charging up his little used ability to harness the power of a black hole in a devastating antimatter attack. The Decepticons used the space bridge to bring back the Predacons from Earth and, fearing the devastation of Megatron's antimatter attack, rerouted the space bridge which transported Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Megatron to different parts of the Earth. Megatron arrived in a somewhat more stable frame of mind after developing a case of short term amnesia from all the recent mental trauma. Resurrection!
The Predacons used the bridge to travel to Earth to once again hunt down a mentally unstable Megatron. Shockwave used the bridge to pipe energy generated using their stolen hydrothermocline to Cybertron. While the bridge was actively piping the energy to Cybertron, a mentally unstable Megatron blew the bridge up with himself on it. Gone but Not Forgotten!
The space bridge was apparently repaired or rebuilt, but its use was tightly regulated by fuel auditor Ratbat. It was used to transport Trypticon to Earth until Ratbat calculated the mission was exceeding its energy budget and Trypticon was recalled back to Cybertron. King of the Hill!
The Decepticon Triple Changers used the bridge to travel to Earth. Crater Critters Ratbat sent the Throttlebots (minus Goldbug) to Earth over the space bridge. The Cure!
The Decepticons sent Fizzle, Sizzle, and Backstreet to Earth over the space bridge as a test for the Roadjammers. Ca$h and Car-nage!
The space bridge was made obsolete by the trans-time dimensional portal, which didn't shake up Transformer systems nearly as much. Back from the Dead
Regeneration One
Template:Noterg1 In the ensuing years after Unicron's defeat and the Last Autobot's revival of Cybertron, the Autobots refined the dimensional portal technology to create a space bridge network, with the Star Chamber on Cybertron serving as the network's hub. Space bridge stations were required on other planets in order to enable free two-way travel, although the Star Chamber could coordinate between stations on two worlds to allow direct travel between them, bypassing the need to stop at Cybertron. The War to End All Wars, Part 3
In the wake of Megatron's devastation of Earth, Optimus Prime proposed to the Little America collective to connect Earth with Nebulos via space bridge, so that the two worlds could work together to heal from the damage done by the Decepticons. Circuit Smasher initially refused to listen to Optimus, but Linda Chang and the others overruled him, and permitted the construction of the bridge. Destiny, Part TwoThe War to End All Wars, Part 1 Once completed, the first traveler to Earth from Nebulos was the reconstructed Fortress Maximus, corrupted by the Dark Matrix, who promptly smashed Optimus into unconsciousness and abducted his former Headmaster partner before returning through the bridge. The War to End All Wars, Part 3
While the Star Chamber technicians worked to determine the reason for their loss of communication between Earth and Nebulos, Galvatron attacked and killed them, seizing control of the space bridge network. The War to End All Wars, Part 4 Galvatron deactivated the network, save for the links between Cybertron, Earth, and Nebulos, as they were key to the Dark Matrix creature's plans, and proceeded to Nebulos himself. Ultra Magnus led a team to retake the Chamber, fighting shadow-leeches along the way, and followed Galvatron to Nebulos. Joined by reinforcements from Earth, Magnus was able to stop Galvatron and Fortress Maximus, while Rodimus Prime rescued Spike and a dying Optimus from Zero Space, trapping the Dark Matrix creature and preventing its spread into the multiverse.
Although Cybertron was rendered uninhabitable, the space bridge link between Earth and Nebulos was maintained, allowing the two worlds to rebuild and thrive. The War to End All Wars, Part 5
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
The space bridge was developed by the Decepticons as a means of exploring (and presumably conquering) other worlds far away from Cybertron. These bridges were stargates small portals that could only be programmed for a certain number of people. Megatron himself underwent the first test of the space bridge. However, Optimus Prime collided with him before he entered. As it had been only programmed to accept one, the space bridge exploded, and both leaders were presumed dead. Fragmentation In actuality, they had survived, and been transported to Quintessa, where they remained for several millennia. The Age of Wrath Pt.4 Passage through a space bridge left an "imprint" on infraspace, so some Autobots invented the Dimensional Interface Assembly in hopes of finding where Prime ended up. The Age of Wrath Pt.3
IDW Generation 1 continuity
Spacebridge technology was originally the province of the ancient Cybertronians, integrated into their Titans to allow them to warp through space and travel throughout the galaxy near-instantaneously. Primus: All Good Things The technology was unknown to Transformers in the relative modern era; the closest they were able to come was quantum jump technology, which operated on a similar principle, but required much longer periods moving through interdimensional space and even multiple jumps to reach far-off targets. Seeking to rediscover spacebridge technology to further his war efforts, Megatron charged Bludgeon with locating the last of the titans, Metroplex, who had vanished from Cybertron. One of Bludgeon's team, Thundercracker, succeeded in finding the Titan on a distant planetoid, but his own doubts about the use Megatron would put spacebridge tech to led him to let Metroplex escape. The Hunting Party
Rom, knight of the Solstar Order, evidently had some knowledge of spacebridges as he later stated upon seeing one that he thought all bridges had been destroyed. O Ship of State
Ramjet once claimed to be nearing completion on a superstring spacebridge, but it's likely he was just being overambitious. Spotlight: Ramjet
Spacebridge tech would eventually be rediscovered (or otherwise reinvented) by Jhiaxus, from whom it was stolen by Sixshot and traded to Megatron. Spotlight: Metroplex The recently created Insecticon Bombshell used the data to build the Decepticons' first spacebridge, which the villains then employed to banish the captured Autobots to the desolate Cybertron, leaving them free to conquer Earth. The bridge was disabled by Optimus Prime in the process, and never functioned again. All Hail Megatron #7 Shockpoint Bombshell proceeded to construct a new spacebridge in the devastated New York City, but the Autobots returned and stopped the Decepticons before they could use it. All Hail Megatron #10
With Megatron left in a coma following the battle in New York, the Decepticons began to fall apart, and Starscream, the ostensible new leader, put Shockwave in charge of developing a new spacebridge. All His Engines Having since made contact with Metroplex under as-yet-unrevealed circumstances and having removed from the titan's body the technology that allowed him to generate his own spacebridges, Shockwave integrated that tech into a new body for Megatron. Altered Carbon Spotlight: Megatron Using this new spacebridge, the Decepticons sent a box of weapons based on Megatron's old body to Earth to shake up Autobot-human relations, then presumably travelled through it themselves to return to the planet undetected. Altered Carbon
Meanwhile, Jhiaxus began reconstructing his old spacebridge network so that Galvatron could travel across the galaxy in his quest to recruit an army. Heart of Darkness #3 When the Autobots got wind of his scheme, they returned to Cybertron to confront him, with Megatron accompanying them as their prisoner. Little did the Autobots realize, however, that Megatron had allowed himself to be captured so that he could use his integrated spacebridge to summon his Decepticons into the heart of the enemy forces. Back on Earth, Bumblebee discovered that the other Decepticons had built a spacebridge terminal link in Mesa Verde, and watched as it was opened from the other side by Megatron. He was unable to stop most of the Decepticons from travelling through to aid their leader in the fight against Galvatron's force, though he did prevent the Stunticons from making the trip by sabotaging the bridge. Kings The Question
Chief Justice Tyrest had numerous Titans killed so that he could salvage their tech and use it to build an ancient model of spacebridge, hoping it would lead him to Cyberutopia. The Divided Self While Tyrest was able to activate the portal, only Skids and the corpse of Pharma passed through to its mysterious destination. This Calamitous Life After Skids returned through the bridge, it burned itself out and was left beyond repair. The Sound of Breaking Glass
Requiring a spacebridge to access the alternate dimension known as the Dead Universe and retrieve Galvatron and Nova Prime, Shockwave intended to use a Titan's spacebridge, but the bridge stopped functioning when his subject was transformed into the Necrotitan. Black Metal The Decepticon scientist instead chose to capture Megatron and force his integrated spacebridge open, allowing Galvatron passage into the normal universe. Finest Hour This tampering by Shockwave turned Megatron's insides into a mess of spacebridge portals leading to locations unknown. Towards Peace Overtime, Megatron managed to stabilize his internal spacebridge so as to mine antimatter from a black hole for usage as a weapon which he used to destroy the Decepticon Justice Division. Do Not Go Gentle
G.B. Blackrock eventually collected the remains of the Decepticon spacebridge from Mesa Verde and added it to his collection of Cybertronian artifacts ONoffON His vault became the site of an all out war for the Enigma of Combination between human, Autobot and Decepticon. Scoop, in all the confusion, managed to grab the Enigma, steal one of the Nemesis's shuttles and blast off to Cybertron, intending to give the relic of the Primes to Starscream. Solely out of petty spite, the Prowl-controlled Devastator stole the spacebridge and brought it to the Ark-7. The Obliterate Jetfire was shocked to see the bridge and that Prowl was relying on Decepticon technology. Prowl later used the bridge to travel with the Constructicons to Cybertron. The Possible Light
Metroplex's own spacebridge was used to establish a link to the colony of Caminus First Contact before a Prowl controlled Devastator tried to destroy it. Mistakes and Mayhem After this the bridge was guarded by Superion and Defensor. You, Me, and the Universe Damage to the spacebridge sent the two, Devastator, Menasor and Optimus Maximus in a three on two brawl across all of Cybertron's colony worlds. All That Remains Metroplex's bridge was later repaired and used to establish relation with the colony worlds of Velocitron, Devisiun, Eukaris, and Carcer. Race Against the Light Windblade vol. 2 #6 The Will of the Few
When the Ark-7 was crippled, Galvatron ordered his troops on Cybertron to use Metroplex's spacebridge to access the Ark via the Mesa Verde spacebridge Aphelion and then bring him the ship itself. With both, he intended to begin his rule of Earth before Optimus claimed the planet. Perihelion The spacebridge was used by Aileron to return to Cybertron and grab the Skyroller which then airlifted the spacebridge away from the wreck of the Ark. The spacebridge was then used to override all human telecommunications and broadcast Optimus's message. Once Upon a Time on Earth Optimus used the bridge to return to Cybertron and speak to the Council of Worlds before using to go to Caminus and then back to Earth. The Medium and the Message Circuit and Longtooth then used the spacebridge to arrive on Earth for news purposes. It's Beginning To And Back Again
When Sentinel Prime came back to life, he used Metroplex's spacebridge to arrive on Earth where he destroyed Metrotitan's bridge. The Last Autobot He and Sovereign later managed to open a new spacebridge in the middle of the Titan. White Light. They arrived near the corpse of Prion where, after a heated disagreement, Sentinel hijacked Prion's spacebridge to escape while Optimus and Soundwave used it to return to Cybertron. White Heat The Titan corpses on Luna 1 still had operable bridges which Sentinel and Sovereign used to arrive on the moon. Prowl used the bridge operated by the Autobots stationed on Luna 1 to arrive. Ten to Midnight Sentinel revealed his evil plan to open a massive spacebridge, sustained by his thoughts, to send an army of undead Titans to Cybertron where they would raze everything in sight. He fell down a one and a half mile shaft while Sovereign was able to change the bridge's coordinates for deep space. Last Light
Metrotitan's spacebridge was repaired by the time Ore-13 had begun to destabilize. Micronus Prime also had a spacebridge with him which was linked to Metrotitan's ever since the ancient Prime contacted the Titan. Informed Rom used the link to send samples of Ore-13 into Microspace before Optimus talked him down. The bridge was shut down but not before the Heliopolis and its crew entered Autobot City. Rom admired the technology. O Ship of State
After being grounded by the Dire Wriaths, Miles Mayhem used the Cybertronian technology in his vehicle to open the spacebridge to bring forth Baron Karza from Microspace. The New Colossus After merging with Wraiths, Karza used their magic to shunt the energy from the nearby Ore-13 into the open spacebridge. This proved his undoing as everyone ceased fighting and worked together to stop him, dumping him back into the spacebridge and back to his universe as the portal collapsed on itself. Valley Forge
2001 Robots in Disguise cartoon
Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity
Armada cartoon
The Autobots and Decepticons used space bridges to travel from Cybertron to Earth in pursuit of the Mini-Cons. Unusually for the time, they did not require a pre-constructed exit portal at the destination point; after entering the larger, circular entrance portal on the Cybertronian end, each traveler would then individually materialize out of transwarp space at their intended location. First Encounter They remained delicate, however: when Smokescreen unexpectedly entered the space bridge moments after Optimus Prime and his team had departed through it, he did not emerge on Earth until months after they did, in an entirely different region of their target continent. Prehistory
While on Earth, both factions used short-range warp technology to get from place to place. Metamorphosis As there were no operational space bridges on Earth to send them back to Cybertron, when the factions were ready to return to their home planet, they had to construct spacecraft to ferry them there. Threaten Depart After Unicron was defeated, Hot Shot and Jetfire returned the Autobots' human friends to Earth via space bridge, and departed back to Cybertron via the same. Mortal Combat
Energon cartoon
By the year 2020, multiple Cybertron Cities had been constructed on Earth, each with their own space bridge, allowing for quick and easy transport from planet to planet. Projection antennae mounted on the city generated the bridge by focusing their beams on a single spot of space, above a launching ramp. The bridge takes the form of a shimmering blue "tunnel" through transwarp space lined with a glowing pathway, along which riders then drive under their own power. Cybertron City
When it became necessary for the Transformers to explore the depths of space, rather than travel directly between planets, a variant of the space bridge was developed for zero-gravity environments large enough to transport entire spaceships. This iteration of the bridge begins with an Energon Ring, which expands into a large portal that is then activated by a beam of energon projected into it by the starship. These spacebridges naturally lack any kind of pathway, and instead appear as rippling, rainbow-colored corridors. Go for Unicron!
Cybertron cartoon
In ancient times, Primus gifted the Cyber Planet Keys to his children. After the first defeat of Unicron, the Cybertronians planned to found colonies to spread Primus's essence throughout the cosmos. It was intended that a space bridge network would connect these colonies to each other and the homeworld, but this project failed and the colonies lost contact with each other.
When the Unicron Singularity threatened Cybertron in the year 2030, the Autobots relocated to Earth via a space bridge, Fallen but they typically saw little use after the Autobots were installed on the planet, being replaced for travel to Cybertron's colony worlds by Vector Prime's dimension gates. Landmine Like their predecessor bridges from 2020, they appear as rainbow-colored tunnels through transwarp space. Inferno
These bridges were typically opened high above the planet's surface, and were then reached by a unique addition component: a transparent walkway generated by the bridge's systems that allowed travelers to reach the high-altitude portal with no trouble. When Bud Hansen declared his desire to travel into space, Scattorshot was able to use this function of the space bridge to fulfill his desire, extending the pathway to the edge of Earth's atmosphere and driving him up it in vehicle mode. Space
After becoming stranded in the parallel universe that was home to Gigantion, the Autobots construction of a space bridge to get them home exposed them to another of the time-transcending dangers of transwarp tech, when they wound up opening a hole into the past. A swarm of Laserbeak drones emerged, forcing the Autobots to destroy their bridge. Guardian
Linkage
The Mini-Con city was equipped with space bridge technology. Linkage Part 13
Timelines
Combatron was one of many planets intended to be a relay point on the galactic Space Bridge Network. Force of Habit
Ask Vector Prime
Backstop convinced the other members of the crew of the Hyperborea to construct a space bridge outpost near Klo, the home of his ancient master. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/29
Dreamwave Armada continuity
Armada comic
Space bridges required an entrance portal but not an exit one, allowing you to materialize at any location. Decepticon Headquarters was equipped with an intergalactic space bridge which Megatron and his troops used to travel to Earth in search for Mini-Cons. The Autobots' headquarters didn't have an operational one at the time, but Optimus Prime quickly rectified that so they could follow the Decepticons. Armada #3 Both factions had new bridges built in their bases on Earth, but the Autobots couldn't use theirs to return to their hidden base on Cybertron since space bridge transportation was too easy for the Decepticons to trace. Armada #9
In order to open an interdimensional rift so that Unicron could enter this universe, his Heralds invaded the space bridge nexus, a hub of multiple space bridges at Decepticon Command Headquarters on Cybertron. They activated all the bridges, causing overlapping portals to open all across local dimensional space. Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4 This brought terrible stress upon the whole inter-spatial network and prevented travel between Cybertron and Earth. Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4 All the turmoil in the "space/time horizon" caused Optimus Prime to vanish into another universe, so the Autobots sent a search probe into subspace through a space bridge. Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4 As the bridges began punching holes into completely different dimensions, Jetfire's Autobots on Cybertron finally dealt with the chaos by destroying the space bridge nexus. While this ended the stress on space-time, unfortunately it did not close Unicron's portal. Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4
Energon comic
When Optimus Prime returned to Earth ten years later, he stepped into a space bridge and suddenly received a message from Megatron, whose consciousness was imprisoned within Unicron's core but could call out for Prime during his time in space bridge transit. What Lies Beneath, Part Three The Autobots set up new bases on Earth equipped with space bridges, but when Optimus Prime chose to go back to Cybertron for reinforcements, the mind of Megatron intervened and somehow redirected the bridge's exit location, sending him to the interior of Unicron instead of the Halls of Justice. Omni-Potent By this time, the Autobots had their own space bridge nexus on Cybertron, which they used to send teams of Autobots to various Earth cities under attack from Terrorcons. Multiplicity, Pt. 2
Panini Armada comic
Optimus Prime, Megatron, and their respective troops used space bridges to travel to Earth once they learned of the Mini-Cons awakening there. First Encounter! Once Megatron lost a duel with Prime, he also used one to flee. Friends and Foes! Prime's initial plan was to send the Mini-Cons they found back to Autobase: Cybertron via their space bridge, but the bridge was destroyed in a Decepticon attack, stranding the Autobots on Earth. No Way Back!
The loss of the space bridge made it impossible for the Autobots to follow Megatron to the Moon, forcing them to contact Jetfire on Cybertron. As Autobase: Cybertron had functional space bridges, he could send Scavenger and Smokescreen to save the day, though neither of them enjoyed the feeling of being warped across space. Between Two Worlds!
Megatron continued to use the faraway Moon to his advantage, building a base there and firing missiles at the helpless Autobots on Earth. Though unable to stop the launch, Optimus Prime hatched a different plan and had Hot Shot hurry to repair their space bridge. In the meantime, Scavenger and Smokescreen broke into the Decepticon moonbase's space bridge control room and activated their bridge, connecting it to the Autobots' one on Earth. Hot Shot got their bridge working just in time for the missiles to arrive and fly straight into the portal, teleporting them straight back to the Decepticon base. Earthshaker!
Live-action film series
Transformers RISK
There is a location on Cybertron housing a stationary space bridge. This area is bordered by Perihex and Polyhex, and is linked via a bridge to Kalis. It is in this location where Bumblebee began his adventure. Risk
IDW movie comics
Space bridges (also known as "transpatial portals") were first used by the Dynasty of Primes, allowing them to transport between dimensions. Defiance #4 Seekers had the ability to create space bridges, teleporting across worlds and between planets. Tales of the Fallen #3 It was eventually discontinued in later models because of the excessive rate of failure. Apparently it was prone to catastrophic malfunction. Revenge of the Fallen
Thousands of years after the fall of the Dynasty of Primes, Sentinel Prime recreated space bridge technology, claiming it would allow the Autobots to win the war. Foundation #3 The pillars that served as the basis of the technology were stored on the Ark, but after it sustained damage in a Decepticon attack, they malfunctioned and began to warp the ship randomly across space and time until it crashed on Earth's moon. Convergence chapter 1
Soundwave's Decepticons subsequently recovered most of the pillars from the wrecked ship. Thundercracker used one of them to create a primitive space bridge on Mars, allowing the Decepticons to travel back to Cybertron through the passage created by the Ark. Convergence chapter 4 Because the Ark had done several "jumps", the Decepticons would have to pass through several corresponding nodes to return to their homeworld. The Reign of Starscream #2
Revenge of the Fallen film
Jetfire mentioned the Space Bridge by name shortly before he did a really half-assed job of throwing himself and the rest of the heroes halfway across the world to Egypt, wrecking Sam's hand in the process (Jetfire wasn't entirely sure they were still on the right planet). The even-more-ancient but significantly less senile Fallen, one of the original Primes, shows a similar ability where he teleports across short distances, seeming to use it as a form of flight. Revenge of the Fallen
Dark of the Moon film
During the last days of Cybertron's civil war, Autobot leader Sentinel Prime developed a new space bridge technology which used a system of pillars to provide instantaneous transport between any two points. It was hoped that the technology would be able to turn the tide of the war and defeat the Decepticons once and for all. But the technology was lost when Decepticon ships attacked the Autobot flagship Ark, which was transporting both Sentinel and the pillars.
In 1961, the Ark crash-landed on Earth's moon, sparking a space race between the United States of America and the Soviet Union in an effort to reach the wreck first. During this era, the Decepticons began removing hundreds of pillars from the crash site, an activity secretly recorded by Soviet space probes. Decades later, the Autobots learned of the Ark's presence on the Moon, and Optimus Prime and Ratchet traveled to the crash site to investigate. Once aboard, the two retrieved Sentinel Prime's body and five of the pillars, including the master pillar that controlled the bridge. Back on Earth, the pillars were confiscated by NEST out of fear that they would be used as weapons.
That fear was quickly realized when Sentinel attacked the Autobots and their human allies, revealing that he had made a truce with Megatron in order to save Cybertron from destruction. Stealing the five pillars, he activated them in front of the Lincoln Memorial, teleporting hundreds of Decepticons hiding on the Moon onto Earth. Chicago was soon conquered by the invading army, and there Sentinel and Megatron launched their master plan: using the pillars covertly taken from the Ark crash site, they would create a space bridge between Earth and Cybertron, bringing their homeworld into Earth's atmosphere. Earth would then be raided for its resources, and humanity would be enslaved and forced to rebuild Cybertron.
NEST and the Autobots eventually arrived in Chicago to retake the war-torn city, and Optimus Prime was able to knock over the control pillar, deactivating the space bridge. It was only a temporary victory, though, as the Decepticon human ally Dylan Gould restarted the pillar and the transport sequence recommenced. Ultimately, Gould was killed by Sam Witwicky and Bumblebee and Ratchet destroyed the control pillar. With the bridge rendered inoperable, Cybertron collapsed and was completely destroyed. Dark of the Moon
Animated
Space bridges are used to travel around the galaxy. This incarnation takes the form of a large, forked structure and works by generating a sphere of energy between the two prongs.
The technology is exclusively Autobot, and gave them a major strategic advantage over the Decepticons: thanks to the bridges, the Decepticon expansion was halted. The AllSpark Almanac II
The AllSpark was thrown into one to keep it out of Decepticon hands. Optimus Prime and his small band of Autobots were put in charge of repairing space bridges. Transform and Roll Out
Megatron planned to use some schematics to build his own, allowing him to transwarp to Cybertron and strike it without warning. He kidnapped Isaac Sumdac to design it The Elite Guard and used Mixmaster and Scrapper to build it, but it wasn't enough. With some additional help he completed it, A Bridge Too Close, Part I but as often is the case with Decepticon plans, it didn't end well. A Bridge Too Close, Part II
During the Decepticon Uprisings, the Decepticons went after every space bridge on the periphery in a simultaneous assault. Team Chaar were the first squad to capture a bridge, but couldn't arrive at the space bridge nexus on Cybertron as Shockwave, who held the access codes at the nexus, was waiting for Megatron's signal to begin the attack. The network was later shut down by the Cybertron Elite Guard. TransWarped
Blackarachnia used components from a transwarp generator in order to create a teleportation pod which she used to transform Wasp into a Technorganic being; however, after its use, the chamber exploded. Predacons Rising Bulkhead along with Isaac Sumdac later attempted to work together in making a space bridge on Earth for the Autobots but faced many arguments on how to calibrate the equipment. Luckily, Sari Sumdac managed to activate the system which was later used to transport Optimus Prime onto the Elite Guard flagship which had been taken over by the former Decepticon prisoners. Decepticon Air
Aligned continuity family
The Covenant of Primus
Space bridges were introduced to Cybertron by the Quintessons, who apparently stole the technology from an unspecified source and did not fully understand it themselves. The Quintessons, presenting themselves to the Cybertronians as benevolent uplifters, secretly intended to have the populace of Cybertron construct the bridges and then be shipped off-planet as slave labor. When the conspiracy was revealed, however, the Transformers rebelled and expelled the Quintessons from Cybertron. The Cybertronians then used the space bridges for themselves, ushering in the Golden Age and founding numerous colonies on distant planets. Unfortunately, the Golden Age came to an end when the Rust Plague occurred. Sentinel Zeta Prime's government concluded that the only way to stop the spread of the plague was to destroy the space bridges themselves. Reluctantly, all space bridge operators obeyed the order to blow up their space bridges or face execution. Cybertron itself was spared the plague, but at a terrible cost: with all the bridges lost, Cybertron's star-spanning empire came to an end. The Covenant of Primus
Aligned novels
Space bridges were the foundation for Cybertron's Golden Age, linking it to Velocitron, Gigantion, Junkion, and the Hub. As they grew less reliable, Cybertron's society stagnated and lost contact with its colonies. During the civil war, only one in Cybertron's orbit was still believed to be operational. When the Ark and the Nemesis entered it, it separated the two ships to different parts of space. According to Optimus Prime, the space bridges work by tearing holes in the fabric of reality. Exodus
The Star Seekers forced the Junkions to upgrade the Tidal Wave with a portable space bridge. Exiles
After meeting the Ark and Nemesis crews, the Quintessons on Aquatron initiated the long-planned goal of invading Cybertron and taking it back for the Quintessons. Activating a space bridge beneath the Hydratron, General Tyrannicon led an army of Sharkticons to Cybertron and attacked. However, events on Aquatron prompted Tyrannicon to return through the space bridge and confront the Curator. After both the Curator and Tyrannicon were killed in the ensuing chaos, Optimus Prime took the opportunity to ignite the energon fueling the space bridge, destroying it and ending the Quintesson invasion. Retribution
Prime cartoon continuity
Prime comic
Starscream was assigned by Megatron to find remnants of space bridges, and he successfully built one in Kaon. Arcee and Cliffjumper overloaded its systems, jumping through it and landing on Earth—as did Starscream—before it blew up. Meanwhile, Ratchet developed the GroundBridge, to transport themselves across Earth. Transformers: Prime
Prime cartoon
During the Great Exodus, Shockwave stayed behind to reverse engineer the ancient space bridge technology. He succeeded in building one beneath Kaon and Starscream intended to use it to reach Earth after intercepting a transmission from Optimus Prime. The space bridge was sabotaged by Arcee and Cliffjumper, who used it to travel to Earth moments before it exploded. Out of the Past
Starscream built a space bridge in Earth's orbit, which he used to bring back Megatron from his deep space Dark Energon expedition, Darkness Rising, Part 1 Megatron intended to use Dark Energon to resurrect the Cybertronian dead and bring them to Earth via the space bridge. The Autobots discovered the Decepticons' plans for a space time vortex generator, indicating that they had built a space bridge. Darkness Rising, Part 4 The fact that the Decepticon ship's navigation sensors were damaged meant that the Decepticons had to use a radio dish array in Texas to target the space bridge at Cybertron. Once this was accomplished, Megatron heaved a big chunk of Dark Energon through and raised Cybertron's dead. This undead army began traversing the space bridge to Earth, however the Autobots had obtained the space bridge schematics, and were able to reverse the valve on the energon pump. The reversed power caused the space bridge to explode, taking the zombie army and possibly Megatron with it. Darkness Rising, Part 5
While observing Skyquake's battle with Optimus and Bumblebee, Soundwave picked up a Decepticon life signal near the remains of the space bridge, possibly Megatron's. Although initially trying to dismiss it, Starscream eventually went to investigate. At the space bridge debris field, he found Megatron, still alive thanks to the Dark Energon crystal he had placed within himself. Although Starscream intended to leave Megatron for dead, Soundwave, not trusting his comrade, sent his Deployer to also search the space bridge debris field, forcing Starscream to take Megatron back to the Decepticon ship. Masters & Students
Aiming to build a new space bridge, the Decepticons set about stealing the components they'd need, including a phase converter, plasma injector, neutron shield, tesseract, and a suitable power source. One Shall Fall After the unfortunate incident with Unicron, the Decepticons stole the necessary power source. Orion Pax, Part 1
The Autobots searched for the space bridge so they could use it to reach Cybertron. With Starscream's help, they located it in a disused energon mine and managed to secure it and send Jack Darby and Arcee through. Orion Pax, Part 2
The space bridge was moved to the dark side of the Moon to hide it from both Autobots and humans. Megatron and Dreadwing used it to reach Cybertron so they could retrieve the arm of a dead Prime. Alpha/Omega
Dreadwing later gave the Forge of Solus Prime to the Autobots, which Optimus used to upgrade their Groundbridge into a space bridge, allowing them access to Cybertron when the time came for the battle over the Omega Lock. Megatron also ventured there, and was joined by Starscream, Knock Out, and Soundwave who had captured the Autobots' human allies. Regeneration (Prime) Once Optimus destroyed the Omega Lock, his team retreated back to Earth, only to be promptly attacked by a vicious Decepticon assault. When it was clear the battle was lost, Optimus evacuated Team Prime, scattering them across the United States while he remained behind to destroy the base's space bridge. It was all for naught, as the Nemesis opened fire on the base, destroying their space bridge. Darkest Hour (episode)
Knock Out was later sent to Cybertron to search for leftover Iacon relics, and returned with the long-presumed-dead Shockwave. Darkmount, NV He later brought through his newly cloned Predacon. Scattered
When Airachnid was freed from her stasis pod and led a revolt against Megatron, Soundwave quickly sent them through a space bridge to a barren moon of Cybertron. Thirst The Autobots later captured the Nemesis, using its' space bridge to return to the restored Cybertron after bidding farewell to their human friends. Deadlock Ratchet was later brought through the space bridge to attend to the wounded Ultra Magnus. Predacons Rising
2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon
Years after the restoration of Cybertron, Lieutenant Bumblebee was street patrol in Kaon with Cadet Strongarm when he received a vision from the deceased Optimus Prime to go to the Cybertron History Museum. Inside, Bumblebee found a disused space bridge with pre-set coordinates for Earth. Stepping through with Strongarm and the apprehended delinquent Autobot Sideswipe, they arrived on Earth to find the crash site of the prison ship Alchemor. Pilot (Part 1)
Games
The Transformers (PS2)
After contact was lost with a team of Decepticons dispatched to Zel Samine, Starscream and Soundwave took a shuttle to the planet and Megatron would follow using a space bridge portal aboard the shuttle. Some technical problems occurred at first, leading to a rant from Starscream on how using a portable space bridge was asking for trouble. Soundwave assured him that the next attempt would work, but then, the portal blew up. Starscream enquired what had happened to Megatron, as he was on the bridge when the malfunction occurred. Soundwave detected that Megatron had been transported to only a slightly different location and Starscream suggested they go and fetch him.
When Megatron was found, Soundwave explained the effects of the solar system's sun, Paradius, had been causing the problems with the shuttle and the space bridge and that they were forced to repair either one if they wished to leave the planet.
Meanwhile, Wheeljack detected the space bridge energy and warned the other Autobots that the Decepticons were in the area too. The Transformers
Fall of Cybertron
Jazz and Cliffjumper were sent to find Grimlock who had abandoned his post when they had discovered a Space Bridge tower, in the Sea of Rust, which Shockwave had used to open a portal to prehistoric Earth. Shockwave then reported this to Megatron who had ordered it to be built in Kaon. Later, the Dinobots discovered this as well, but when Optimus ordered them back to base, they went against orders and destroyed it anyway. This caused the portal to destabilize, and so the Autobots raced to the portal with the Decepticons trailing behind. Both factions and their respective vessels went through the portal, which closed after them. Fall of Cybertron
Bot Shots Battle Game!
The Galactic Spacebridge terminal on Cybertron was one of the many places that the Bot Shots did battle. Bot Shots Battle Game!
Transformers: Legends
The Space Bridge was the primary means of travel around the cosmos for both Autobots and Decepticons, though traveling that way required payment of a toll. The Space Bridge included an artificial satellite in orbit around Earth which transported passengers down to the planet in a purple beam. Transformers Legends
Transformers: Battle Tactics
The Space Bridge was more of a hangar stocked with floating crates, and the place for spending precious Gold and tokens and to open some of them. They were incredibly expensive and unreliable' for obtaining new bots or even the unique cores needed for building bots. Many limited-time offers of various forms came and went, most of them there to rip off gold from players in exchange for mostly very common resources. Although later offers had guaranteed prizes, they were still pretty expensive.
It's a shame to see those who spent hundreds of dollars on gold go completely to waste when the Space Bridge freely offered almost all the characters in a final event before shutting down forever. Transformers: Battle Tactics
Transformers: Devastation
After retrieving the Plasma Core, Megatron uses the Space Bridge to bring it to Cybertron for repairs. The Autobots follow him into it, but are forced to battle Starscream inside the bridge before emerging safely on the other side. Devastation
Transformers: Earth Wars
There is Space Bridge in every Autobot and Deception base on Earth, and if an opposing team attacked a base, destroying one would give 3 ability points. But its main purpose is to bring new recruits to Earth by powering them up with one-time use Crystals. Unlike some other Space Bridge system, all materials brought through are actually useful, and more guaranteed recruits come through regularly.
Merchandise
- RISK TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON Battle Edition (2007)
- The Space Bridge is one of the yellow zones on the board.
Notes
Foreign names
- Japanese: Space bridge (スペースブリッジ supēsu burijji)
- German: Weltraumbrücke ("space bridge"), Raumbrücke (Generation 2, "space bridge")
- Polish: Most kosmiczny ("space bridge")
- Finnish:' Avaruussilta ("spacebridge")
- Mandarin: Tàikōng qiáo (太空桥, "space bridge")
References
- ↑ Sent by Soundwave in "The Next Best Thing to Being There!"
