My world is has the following technologies (obviously not strict, hard sci-fi as much of this defies normal physics/chemistry):
Highly energy dense power sources that generate electrical power from the quantum vacuum energy, termed QVE Generators: similar in concept to a ZPM from Stargate, although perhaps more similar in size to a trashcan which fits into a dumpster
Large arrays of extremely efficient Quantum vacuum plasma thrusters are located all around the ship, collectively allowing the ship to accelerate at a rate as high as 10 m/s2 more in the “forward direction” more or less indefinitely, eliminating the need to carry propellant material. There is a large set of thrusters at the back of the ship as seen on many sci-fi ships. Additionally, there are very small arrays positioned around the ship at almost all angles. Most of these thrusters are close to being flush with the outer hull of the ship and look somewhat like this.
FTL transportation is performed via an FTL drive which takes the ship through hyperspace. Distances in hyperspace are substantially shorter than in real space. This allows for “speeds” of around 120 ly/day (~44,000c). Terraformed planets with high degrees of similarity to Earth are found roughly every 600 light years, meaning it is typically just under a week to the nearest inhabited system. The furthest terraformed planets are nearly 12,000 ly apart from one another (100-day trip)
Ships possess shield technology capable of protecting the ships from radiation, ion/plasma/laser/other energy weapons, as well as projectile weapons (still working out how hard I want to make this)
Computer systems still largely run on the same principles as today, however they have been made significantly smaller, faster, and cheaper (high-end “desktop computer” for personal/home use might operate at around .1 petaflops--see fastest computers today for scale). True, sentient AI has not been achieved, but there are hundreds of programs effective at many specific tasks, like Watson, and these can be packaged and run in groups and manage to appear similar to true AI at times.
A second island of stability has been found on the periodic table. These elements are made in particle accelerators with reasonable degrees of affordability as a result of the abundance of cheap energy. One of these is a metal, aeginium, which can be formed into carbon-containing similar to steal, but with weight-to-strength ratios as much as 100x that of steel. Thus, the inner structures of the ship are made of relatively thin layers compared to, say, an aircraft carrier. However, the outer hull/air locks remain thick in order to be incredibly resilient to damage.
Hand-waved artificial gravity fields and inertial dampeners make space travel fairly comfy trips.
*On ship design/energy generation, I was thinking that there would be three QVE generators, with two required in order to provide maximal power to the Q-Thrusters, shields, inertial dampeners, artificial gravity field, FTL drive, life support, sensors, and all other regular activities including recreation and such. The third would be a back-up generator in case there is an issue with one of the other two or additional power is needed for some reason.
