50 000 years of atomic technology, but Empire had lasted 12 000 years. Roman Empire had not existed for 12 000 years! The fall of Roman Empire led to loss of many technologies which existed before Roman Empire. Britain´s Celts before Roman conquest had pottery mass production for market, and they minted coins. Dark Age, 6th to 7th century Britain had neither. There was no pottery mass production for market before beginning of 8th century Ipswich ware. Given the technological stagnation of Galactic Empire, fall of long present technologies with Empire was not improbable.
Losing technology
The fall of Roman Empire led to loss of many technologies which existed before Roman Empire. Britain´s Celts before Roman conquest had pottery mass production for market, and they minted coins.
Dark Age, 6th to 7th century Britain had neither. There was no pottery mass production for market before beginning of 8th century Ipswich ware.
Given the technological stagnation of Galactic Empire, fall of long present technologies with Empire was not improbable.