Andalite - Technology

Technology

The Andalites are very scientifically oriented race, and boast a vast knowledge of the universe and highly advanced technology. A notable development is Zero-Space technology, which allows Andalite vessels equipped with "Z-space" engines to enter the region of Zero or Z-space, described as an entirely blank, void, white space, where real-space limitations on faster-than-light travel do not exist. Z-space transponder technology also takes advantage of this 'dimension' by shortening the travel time of messages through space, an advanced form of radio communication.

Andalite starship technology has developed a wide variety of vessels, including their standard Tail-fighter starfighter, a small, elongated craft equipped with twin, stubby wings tipped by engines, and a Shredder particle weapon slung over the top of the crew cabin on the end of an extension fashioned to mimic the raised Andalite tail. The vast Dome Ships are the primary battleships of the Andalite space fleet, transporting starfighters and Andalite warriors to war zones. The ship is shaped like a long rod, with engine pods at one end, and a massive, clear dome covering a circular platform centered on the other end. This 'dome' portion sustains an entire ecosphere in its interior, complete with atmosphere, grass, and water, designed to sustain Andalites while they travel through space. Andalites describe it as "taking a piece of their world with them wherever they go", much to the chagrin of the Yeerk Empire. The ship's hangar bays can host a full complement of fighters, and a single Dome Ship usually arrives at a battle with an occasional deployment of a second, and rarely accompanied by a third. The Dome Ship shredders are rumored to be powerful enough to destroy a moon the size of Earth's. Dome Ships are slow to maneuver, and the dome portion must be temporarily de-coupled from the rest of the ship in order for all its shredders to be turned towards a target, and even then the ship is slow to turn its guns onto its targets. This weakness was exploited by Visser Three, enabling his Blade Ship to destroy the Dome Ship GalaxyTree in Earth orbit.

One of the more recently developed and most advanced Andalite technologies is their morphing technology. This allows Andalites to transform into any being whose DNA pattern can be absorbed through touch, for up to two earth hours at a time. This provides an effective weapon against the Yeerks, allowing them to transform into dangerous creatures in battle, and spy and infiltrate Yeerk facilities and organizations. Surpassing the two-hour time limit carries the penalty of leaving the Andalite trapped in the morph permanently, his own DNA lost. This is called a becoming a nothlit. Tobias became a nothlit in the first book, The Invasion. The morphing technology is closely guarded, and no non-Andalite had ever possessed the ability besides Visser Three (who had an Andalite host body) and the five human Animorphs, who were given the technology by Prince Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul using an Escafil device. Later on, this technology is stolen from the Animorphs by the Yeerks, after the Animorphs increase their numbers substantially, and while they attempt to recruit still more potentials.

Fission and fusion is not apparently used by Andalites extensively, since it has been stated that they use it in children's toys.