Jumpgate - Babylon 5

Babylon 5

In the Babylon 5 television series, a jumpgate is an apparatus with the power to open a vortex that connects normal space with hyperspace, making interstellar travel take a matter of days. Jumpgates also provide beacons that allow navigation within hyperspace (due to lack of stars and a gravitational incline that can pull ships off course without points of reference to correct themselves). The origin of the technology is unknown; all races learned to make jumpgates by examining already-existing jumpgates. For example, humans got jumpgate technology by buying it from the Centauri. Some ships are large enough to contain a jumpgate device, enabling them to enter and exit hyperspace at will. Minbari warships have been known to exit hyperspace right next to enemy ships, destroying them in the backlash.

As established in the episode "Movements of Fire and Shadow", jumpgates are basically considered neutral territory; it is considered a gross violation of rules of engagement to attack them directly, as the jumpgate network is needed by every spacefaring race. Jumpgates are also not typically shut down during combat (to prevent enemy forces from arriving), as it takes a considerable amount of time to power them down and up again.