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The SSV Normandy (SR-1) is a Systems Alliance starship in the Mass Effect universe. It is the player's main source of transportation throughout the galaxy and offers access to the galaxy map, through which the player selects their destination. The Normandy is not directly controllable by the player. The pilot of the SSV Normandy is Jeff "Joker" Moreau, who claims to be an Ace Pilot. Like the Mako, the Normandy is also very versatile; boasting a wide assortment of weaponry and built in features.
The Normandy, as a prototype alliance spacecraft, has the only "cloaking" type system in the Alliance fleet. This system works by capturing the radiation and heat signatures put out by the ship's engines and stores them in special areas in the hull. It can do this for around 2-3 hours before having to vent and give away its position. The only ways the system does not hide the Normandy are when it jumps into or out of a beyond light-speed transition or if a person in another ship happens to look out a window and see it. The latter of these two is rare since most ships rely on scanners rather than visual contact to see their surroundings and spotting another ship in space is very difficult. More can be learned about this by talking to the characters in the Normandy engine room and asking them about the "cloaking" system.
The Normandy also has a notably large "drive" powering it. This is remarked on the squad member Tali'Zorah nar Rayya if one talks to her while she is down in the engine room.