The Space Distortion Drive—colloquially known as the Alpha Drive—is the drive system that enables FTL travel. By utilizing Element Alpha, the drive creates a Space Distortion Shell that compresses space in front of the vessel and stretches it out behind it, allowing the vessel to navigate space at many times the speed of light, without relativistic effects.

For Guilds and other factions operating fleets in ASC space, the common wisdom is to tightly control which vessels are equipped with Alpha Drives. While it is technically possible to equip even a single-occupant vessel with an Alpha Drive, such a vessel would be at the mercy of any larger, more heavily-armed ship that sought to acquire its Alpha Matter. Instead, capital ships and large carrier vessels convey smaller ships and fighters to their destinations.

In the private sector, commercial and private vessels travel only via heavily-patrolled transport routes, which offer protection against pirates.