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+ | [[File:Life support belt.jpg|thumb|The life support belt in action]] |
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+ | [[File:Engineering computer core and hatch.jpg|thumb|A life support belt protects Scotty]] |
| − | The '''life support belt''' is a personal [[force field]] that supplies the wearer with the appropriate [[atmosphere]] and protects them from the elements. (''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]'') |
+ | The '''life support belt''' is a personal [[force field]] that supplies the wearer with the appropriate [[atmosphere]] and protects them from the elements. Life support belts were used by [[Starfleet]] personnel in the late [[2260s]] and the early [[2270s]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}. (''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]'') |
| + | {{bginfo|[[Environmental suit]]s were again used for the same purpose from {{film|1}} onward.}} |
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| − | It was in use by [[Starfleet]] in the late [[2260s]] and the early [[2270s]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}. After the conclusion of the [[starship|ship]]'s third [[five-year mission]], life support belts were no longer in service. In the mid-2270s, Starfleet reverted back to using standard [[environmental suit]]s. ({{film|1}}) |
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== Appearances == |
== Appearances == |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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| + | Although used exclusively in TAS, the life-support belt was invented during the run of ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]''. [[Judy Burns]], co-writer of {{e|The Tholian Web}}, thought of using battery-powered "force field belts" in that episode, but the series' producers decided to feature EV suits instead. "''They felt strongly that if they started something like a force field belt,''" explained Burns, "''it might have ramifications down the line on other stories. I was a novice in those days, but today I probably would have countered that it was a prototype model that had been given to us this one time. In 25 years, we would get it back again.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', 3rd ed., p. 72) |
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| − | The life support belt was invented specifically for TAS. It allowed the cartoonists to simply draw the belt and yellow glow around the existing characters, instead of having to redraw them with an environmental suit. It is possible that they were only meant for short term use, as there is no room for a large amount of oxygen and the amount of time the characters are seen in them would corroborate this. While the Starfleet life support belt was never seen again, there were a few other examples of personal force fields in later spin-offs. |
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| + | In the script for "Beyond the Farthest Star", life support belts are introduced with the description, "''The belts are wide, utility-type belts that glow with a pale, lime-yellow aura when turned on. This aura surrounds the wearer, like an envelope of air surrounds the Earth; it supplies air, and being a force-field, prevents harm to the person inside it, as it is almost totally impenetrable.''" |
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| + | "Life support system belts" were additionally referred to in the first-draft script of "[[In Thy Image]]", the story that gradually developed into {{film|1}}. In that script, Scott told [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] – upon the captain's arrival in a transporter room with [[Xon]] and the [[Ilia probe]] – that they wouldn't require such belts for transport to [[V'ger|Ve-jur]], as a gravitational field and an [[oxygen]] atmosphere envelope were forming inside the craft. (''[[Star Trek Phase II: The Lost Series]]'', p. 204) |
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| + | While the Starfleet life support belt was never seen again, there were a few other examples of personal force fields in later spin-offs. |
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| + | == Apocrypha == |
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| + | In the [[novels|novelization]] of {{TAS|The Survivor}} (as published in ''[[Star Trek Log 2]]''), a [[Vendorian]] [[Carter Winston (impostor)|disguised as]] [[Carter Winston]] is said to have a life-support belt that he deactivates moments after being beamed aboard the ''Enterprise''. |
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| + | In the novelization of {{TAS|The Lorelei Signal}} (also published in ''Star Trek Log 2''), life-support belts are considered for use when, just before beaming down to the unfamiliar surface of [[Unnamed Alpha and Beta Quadrant planets#Taurean system planets|planet two]] of the [[Taurean system]], Kirk asks Spock about them. Under the influence of an [[hallucination]]-evoking signal from the planet, however, Spock casually deems use of the belts unnecessary on that occasion. |
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Revision as of 12:12, 9 August 2014
The life support belt in action
A life support belt protects Scotty
The life support belt is a personal force field that supplies the wearer with the appropriate atmosphere and protects them from the elements. Life support belts were used by Starfleet personnel in the late 2260s and the early 2270s aboard the USS Enterprise. (Star Trek: The Animated Series)
Appearances
- TAS:
- "Beyond the Farthest Star" (Season 1)
- "The Ambergris Element"
- "The Slaver Weapon"
- "The Pirates of Orion" (Season 2)
Background
Although used exclusively in TAS, the life-support belt was invented during the run of Star Trek: The Original Series. Judy Burns, co-writer of "The Tholian Web", thought of using battery-powered "force field belts" in that episode, but the series' producers decided to feature EV suits instead. "They felt strongly that if they started something like a force field belt," explained Burns, "it might have ramifications down the line on other stories. I was a novice in those days, but today I probably would have countered that it was a prototype model that had been given to us this one time. In 25 years, we would get it back again." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, 3rd ed., p. 72)
In the script for "Beyond the Farthest Star", life support belts are introduced with the description, "The belts are wide, utility-type belts that glow with a pale, lime-yellow aura when turned on. This aura surrounds the wearer, like an envelope of air surrounds the Earth; it supplies air, and being a force-field, prevents harm to the person inside it, as it is almost totally impenetrable."
"Life support system belts" were additionally referred to in the first-draft script of "In Thy Image", the story that gradually developed into Star Trek: The Motion Picture. In that script, Scott told Kirk – upon the captain's arrival in a transporter room with Xon and the Ilia probe – that they wouldn't require such belts for transport to Ve-jur, as a gravitational field and an oxygen atmosphere envelope were forming inside the craft. (Star Trek Phase II: The Lost Series, p. 204)
While the Starfleet life support belt was never seen again, there were a few other examples of personal force fields in later spin-offs.
Apocrypha
In the novelization of TAS: "The Survivor" (as published in Star Trek Log 2), a Vendorian disguised as Carter Winston is said to have a life-support belt that he deactivates moments after being beamed aboard the Enterprise.
In the novelization of TAS: "The Lorelei Signal" (also published in Star Trek Log 2), life-support belts are considered for use when, just before beaming down to the unfamiliar surface of planet two of the Taurean system, Kirk asks Spock about them. Under the influence of an hallucination-evoking signal from the planet, however, Spock casually deems use of the belts unnecessary on that occasion.