Memory Alpha
Register
Memory Alpha
m (Robot - Replacing image RioGrandeTractorsOrinoco.jpg with USS_Rio_Grande_tractors_the_Orinoco.jpg)
m (r2.7.5) (Bot: Adding fr:Rayon tracteur)
(25 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Uss saratoga 2367 attacked.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Saratoga|NCC-31911}} in a [[Borg]] tractor beam]]
+
[[File:Uss saratoga 2367 attacked.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Saratoga|NCC-31911}} in a [[Borg]] tractor beam]]
A '''tractor beam''' is an attenuated linear [[graviton beam]] used by [[starship]]s and [[space station]]s to control the movement of external objects. The beam places spatial stresses on the object in specific areas allowing the ship using the tractor beam to hold the object in a fixed location or alter its position or trajectory. While tractor beams are normally used to pull objects towards the beam source, or to tow objects, they can also be set to repel objects. ({{TOS|Who Mourns for Adonais?}})
+
A '''tractor beam''' was an attenuated linear [[graviton beam]] used by [[starship]]s and [[space station]]s to control the movement of external objects. The tractor beam placed spatial stresses on the object in specific areas, allowing it to hold the "tractored" object in a fixed location or alter its position and/or trajectory. While tractor beams were normally used to pull objects towards the beam source – usually to tow objects – conversely, they could also be set to ''repel'' objects. They were most often employed to tow a disabled or vulnerable ship to safety, or sometimes, used by an enemy ship to control the movement of the target vessel. ({{TOS|Who Mourns for Adonais?}}; {{TNG|The Naked Now|The Battle|The Masterpiece Society}}; {{TNG|Cause and Effect}}; {{VOY|Scorpion}})
   
Tractor beams are generally only used at sub-[[warp]] velocities. To safely tow a vessel at warp speed, the target vessel's engines must be deactivated to avoid shearing forces against towing vessel. Using a tractor beam can be done at warp speed only if both vessels' speeds are exactly matched. ({{TNG|Final Mission|The Emissary}})
+
Tractor beams were generally only used at sub-[[warp]] velocities. To safely tow a vessel at warp speed, the target vessel's engines had to be deactivated to avoid shearing forces against towing vessel. A tractor beam could be used at warp speed only if both vessels' speeds were exactly matched. ({{TNG|Final Mission|The Emissary}})
   
  +
Before the development of the tractor beam, starships such as [[Enterprise (NX-01)|''Enterprise'' NX-01]] instead used the more primitive [[grappler]]s. (''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'')
The [[First Federation]] vessel ''[[Fesarius]]'' was capable of towing a {{ShipClass|Constitution}} vessel at high warp for prolonged periods without stressing the hull of target ship. ({{TOS|The Corbomite Maneuver}}) [[Borg]] vessels also have the capability of holding starships securely while traveling at warp speed. ({{VOY|Scorpion, Part II}})
 
  +
{{bginfo|The [[2006]] video game ''[[Star Trek: Legacy]]'' established that the tractor beams had started being used by Starfleet during the [[Earth-Romulan War]] around the year [[2159]], when ''Enterprise'' had its grapplers replaced with the more advanced technology.}}
   
  +
[[File:Tractor beam model.jpg|thumb|A model tractor beam]]
However, if a vessel's tractor beam is strong enough, its graviton field can reinforce the structural integrity of a target vessel, keeping its hull from succumbing to stresses normally exhibited by a tractor field. ({{DS9|Captive Pursuit}})
 
 
The [[First Federation]] vessel ''[[Fesarius]]'' was capable of towing a {{class|Constitution}} vessel at high warp for prolonged periods without stressing the hull of the target ship. ({{TOS|The Corbomite Maneuver}}) [[Borg]] vessels also had the capability of holding [[starship]]s securely while traveling at warp speed. ({{VOY|Scorpion, Part II}})
   
  +
[[Wesley Crusher]] created a model of the type of tractor beam that the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} used as a science project, before [[Geordi La Forge]] inadvertently infected him with the [[polywater intoxication|Psi virus]] brought over from the {{SS|Tsiolkovsky}}. While under the infection's influence, he seized control of [[engineering]] and was able to reconfigure the ship's tractor beam into a [[repulsor beam]], allowing the ''Enterprise'' to push itself away from the ''Tsiolkovsky'' and avoid a [[stellar core fragment]] from a nearby collapsing [[red giant]]. ({{TNG|The Naked Now}})
[[Image:USS_Rio_Grande_tractors_the_Orinoco.jpg|thumb|left|Tractor beam as used for towing]]
 
When using a tractor beam to force another vessel out of warp speed, otherwise known as a "'''warp tow'''", both vessels must be matching velocity at the time of the tractor beam initiation. This brings tremendous risk to both vessels. However, if both vessels' [[hull]]s are strong enough to withstand the stress, they can both be brought out of warp with the tractor beam still engaged if the towing vessel carefully disengages the warp drive while engaging the [[impulse engine]]s. ({{DS9|Paradise}})
 
   
 
If a vessel's tractor beam is strong enough, its graviton field can reinforce the structural integrity of a target vessel, keeping its hull from succumbing to stresses normally exhibited by a tractor field. ({{DS9|Captive Pursuit}})
[[Image:Internal tractor beam emitter.jpg|thumb|An internal tractor beam emitter in the [[shuttlebay]] of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}]]
 
  +
Most [[Federation]] vessels are equipped with a [[tractor beam emitter]] on the [[aft]] [[ventral]] [[hull]], as it is the best location for towing objects. Secondary emitters are also placed in other locations. Smaller tractor beams are installed within [[shuttlebay]]s to assist in docking and landing maneuvers. ({{TNG|Time Squared}})
 
 
[[File:Tractor beam.jpg|thumb|left|Tractor beam as used for towing]]
 
When using a tractor beam to force another vessel out of warp speed, otherwise known as a "'''warp tow'''", both vessels needed to match velocity at the time of the tractor beam initiation. This brought tremendous risk to both vessels. However, if both vessels' [[hull]]s were strong enough to withstand the stress, they could both be brought out of warp with the tractor beam still engaged if the towing vessel carefully disengaged the warp drive while engaging the [[impulse engine]]s. ({{DS9|Paradise}})
  +
 
[[File:Internal tractor beam emitter.jpg|thumb|An internal tractor beam emitter in the shuttlebay of the USS ''Enterprise''-D]]
 
Most [[Federation]] vessels were equipped with a [[tractor beam emitter]] on the [[aft]] [[ventral]] [[hull]], as it was the best location for towing objects. Secondary emitters were also placed in other locations. Smaller emitters were installed within [[shuttlebay]]s to assist in docking and landing maneuvers. ({{TNG|Time Squared}})
  +
  +
A low frequency tractor beam projected against a [[planet]]'s [[tectonic plate]]s was capable of producing minor [[earthquake]]s. ({{TNG|Devil's Due}})
   
 
The stress of a [[Romulan]] tractor beam caused sub-microscopic deformations in the [[structural integrity]], specially the nose section and aft [[thruster]]s, of the [[type 15 shuttlepod]] ''[[Onizuka]]'', when used in an effort to stop a target craft. ({{TNG|The Mind's Eye}})
 
The stress of a [[Romulan]] tractor beam caused sub-microscopic deformations in the [[structural integrity]], specially the nose section and aft [[thruster]]s, of the [[type 15 shuttlepod]] ''[[Onizuka]]'', when used in an effort to stop a target craft. ({{TNG|The Mind's Eye}})
   
The [[Borg]] favored the use of a considerably more advanced tractor beam when engaging in combat. It is capable of rapidly draining a vessel's [[shields]] while holding the vessel in place, rendering it virtually helpless against the [[cutting beam]] that it is often used in conjunction with. Furthermore, the sheer size of the [[Borg cube]] permits the tractor beam to be used with considerable effectiveness against even ships as large as the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}. They also have the ability to utilize tractor beams at warp velocities. ({{TNG|Q Who}}; {{DS9|Emissary}}; {{VOY|Scorpion}})
+
The Borg favored the use of a considerably more advanced tractor beam when engaging in combat. The Borg beam was capable of rapidly draining a vessel's [[shields]] while holding the vessel in place, rendering it virtually helpless against the [[cutting beam]] that it was often used in conjunction with. Furthermore, the sheer size of the [[Borg cube]] permitted the tractor beam to be used with considerable effectiveness against even ships as large as the USS ''Enterprise''-D. They also had the ability to utilize tractor beams at warp velocities. ({{TNG|Q Who}}; {{DS9|Emissary}}; {{VOY|Scorpion}})
  +
  +
In [[2369]], the [[Klaestron]]s disabled the tractor beam aboard [[Deep Space 9]] when they kidnapped [[Lieutenant]] [[Jadzia Dax]] by creating a [[residual charge]] in the [[graviton generator]]. ({{DS9|Dax}})
  +
  +
The same year, Deep Space 9's tractor beam was holding the [[Federation freighter]] ''[[Norkova]]'' after it was [[hijacking|hijacked]] by [[Rao Vantika]], [[Durg]], and two [[Unnamed Bajorans#Mercenaries|Bajoran mercenaries]]. Later, Lieutenant Dax sent an [[electromagnetic pulse]] via the tractor beam to free [[Doctor]] [[Julian Bashir]] from the [[consciousness]] of Vantika. ({{DS9|The Passenger}})
   
[[Image:USS Defiant tractors Vorcha class.jpg|thumb|left|Use of a modulated tractor beam to affect ship-to-ship weaponry]]
+
[[File:USS Defiant tractors Vorcha class.jpg|thumb|left|Use of a modulated tractor beam to affect ship-to-ship weaponry]]
  +
[[File:DS9 tractor beam.jpg|thumb|The tractor beam of Deep Space 9]]
A carefully modulated tractor beam can be used to affect ship-to-ship [[weapon]]ry. In [[2372]], [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Worf]] of the {{USS|Defiant|NX-74205}} suggested using such a beam against a {{ShipClass|Vor'cha}} attack cruiser. When put into practice his plan was successful, deflecting some of the vessel's [[disruptor]] fire and reducing its effectiveness by fifty percent. ({{DS9|The Way of the Warrior}})
+
A carefully modulated tractor beam could be used to affect ship-to-ship [[weapon]]ry. In [[2372]], [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Worf]] of the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} suggested using such a beam against a {{class|Vor'cha}} attack cruiser. When put into practice, his plan was successful, deflecting some of the vessel's [[disruptor]] fire and reducing its effectiveness by fifty percent. ({{DS9|The Way of the Warrior}})
   
In [[2371]], [[B'Elanna Torres]] devised a plan to create a [[subspace]] tractor beam, which was a standard tractor beam modified to match [[subspace interference]]. This modification required more power than a standard tractor beam and could cut through subspace interference. This tractor beam was also able to project to far distances. ({{VOY|Parallax}})
+
In [[2371]], [[B'Elanna Torres]] devised a plan to create a [[subspace]] tractor beam, which was a standard tractor beam modified to match [[subspace interference]]. This modification required more power than a standard tractor beam and could cut through subspace interference. This tractor beam was also able to project long distances. ({{VOY|Parallax}})
<br clear=all>
+
{{clear}}
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
*[[Mooring beam]]
 
*[[Mooring beam]]
 
*[[Multiphase tractor beam]]
 
*[[Multiphase tractor beam]]
*[[Multiphasic tractor beam]]
 
 
*[[Grappler]]
 
*[[Grappler]]
 
*[[Subspace tractor beam]]
   
 
==External link==
 
==External link==
Line 35: Line 48:
 
[[Category:Technology]]
 
[[Category:Technology]]
   
  +
[[cs:Vlečný paprsek]]
 
[[de:Traktorstrahl]]
 
[[de:Traktorstrahl]]
  +
[[fr:Rayon tracteur]]
  +
[[ja:トラクター・ビーム]]

Revision as of 00:09, 16 October 2014

File:Uss saratoga 2367 attacked.jpg

USS Saratoga in a Borg tractor beam

A tractor beam was an attenuated linear graviton beam used by starships and space stations to control the movement of external objects. The tractor beam placed spatial stresses on the object in specific areas, allowing it to hold the "tractored" object in a fixed location or alter its position and/or trajectory. While tractor beams were normally used to pull objects towards the beam source – usually to tow objects – conversely, they could also be set to repel objects. They were most often employed to tow a disabled or vulnerable ship to safety, or sometimes, used by an enemy ship to control the movement of the target vessel. (TOS: "Who Mourns for Adonais?"; TNG: "The Naked Now", "The Battle", "The Masterpiece Society"; TNG: "Cause and Effect"; VOY: "Scorpion")

Tractor beams were generally only used at sub-warp velocities. To safely tow a vessel at warp speed, the target vessel's engines had to be deactivated to avoid shearing forces against towing vessel. A tractor beam could be used at warp speed only if both vessels' speeds were exactly matched. (TNG: "Final Mission", "The Emissary")

Before the development of the tractor beam, starships such as Enterprise NX-01 instead used the more primitive grapplers. (Star Trek: Enterprise)

The 2006 video game Star Trek: Legacy established that the tractor beams had started being used by Starfleet during the Earth-Romulan War around the year 2159, when Enterprise had its grapplers replaced with the more advanced technology.
Tractor beam model

A model tractor beam

The First Federation vessel Fesarius was capable of towing a Constitution-class vessel at high warp for prolonged periods without stressing the hull of the target ship. (TOS: "The Corbomite Maneuver") Borg vessels also had the capability of holding starships securely while traveling at warp speed. (VOY: "Scorpion, Part II")

Wesley Crusher created a model of the type of tractor beam that the USS Enterprise-D used as a science project, before Geordi La Forge inadvertently infected him with the Psi virus brought over from the SS Tsiolkovsky. While under the infection's influence, he seized control of engineering and was able to reconfigure the ship's tractor beam into a repulsor beam, allowing the Enterprise to push itself away from the Tsiolkovsky and avoid a stellar core fragment from a nearby collapsing red giant. (TNG: "The Naked Now")

If a vessel's tractor beam is strong enough, its graviton field can reinforce the structural integrity of a target vessel, keeping its hull from succumbing to stresses normally exhibited by a tractor field. (DS9: "Captive Pursuit")

File:Tractor beam.jpg

Tractor beam as used for towing

When using a tractor beam to force another vessel out of warp speed, otherwise known as a "warp tow", both vessels needed to match velocity at the time of the tractor beam initiation. This brought tremendous risk to both vessels. However, if both vessels' hulls were strong enough to withstand the stress, they could both be brought out of warp with the tractor beam still engaged if the towing vessel carefully disengaged the warp drive while engaging the impulse engines. (DS9: "Paradise")

Internal tractor beam emitter

An internal tractor beam emitter in the shuttlebay of the USS Enterprise-D

Most Federation vessels were equipped with a tractor beam emitter on the aft ventral hull, as it was the best location for towing objects. Secondary emitters were also placed in other locations. Smaller emitters were installed within shuttlebays to assist in docking and landing maneuvers. (TNG: "Time Squared")

A low frequency tractor beam projected against a planet's tectonic plates was capable of producing minor earthquakes. (TNG: "Devil's Due")

The stress of a Romulan tractor beam caused sub-microscopic deformations in the structural integrity, specially the nose section and aft thrusters, of the type 15 shuttlepod Onizuka, when used in an effort to stop a target craft. (TNG: "The Mind's Eye")

The Borg favored the use of a considerably more advanced tractor beam when engaging in combat. The Borg beam was capable of rapidly draining a vessel's shields while holding the vessel in place, rendering it virtually helpless against the cutting beam that it was often used in conjunction with. Furthermore, the sheer size of the Borg cube permitted the tractor beam to be used with considerable effectiveness against even ships as large as the USS Enterprise-D. They also had the ability to utilize tractor beams at warp velocities. (TNG: "Q Who"; DS9: "Emissary"; VOY: "Scorpion")

In 2369, the Klaestrons disabled the tractor beam aboard Deep Space 9 when they kidnapped Lieutenant Jadzia Dax by creating a residual charge in the graviton generator. (DS9: "Dax")

The same year, Deep Space 9's tractor beam was holding the Federation freighter Norkova after it was hijacked by Rao Vantika, Durg, and two Bajoran mercenaries. Later, Lieutenant Dax sent an electromagnetic pulse via the tractor beam to free Doctor Julian Bashir from the consciousness of Vantika. (DS9: "The Passenger")

USS Defiant tractors Vorcha class

Use of a modulated tractor beam to affect ship-to-ship weaponry

DS9 tractor beam

The tractor beam of Deep Space 9

A carefully modulated tractor beam could be used to affect ship-to-ship weaponry. In 2372, Lieutenant Commander Worf of the USS Defiant suggested using such a beam against a Vor'cha-class attack cruiser. When put into practice, his plan was successful, deflecting some of the vessel's disruptor fire and reducing its effectiveness by fifty percent. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")

In 2371, B'Elanna Torres devised a plan to create a subspace tractor beam, which was a standard tractor beam modified to match subspace interference. This modification required more power than a standard tractor beam and could cut through subspace interference. This tractor beam was also able to project long distances. (VOY: "Parallax")

See also

External link

  • Template:NCwiki