Changes: Variable geometry pylon

Revision as of 21:37, 3 June 2012

Intrepid-class with raised pylons while at warp

The variable geometry pylon was a feature first introduced to Federation starships around 2370.

The warp nacelles have the ability to be raised into position for warp speeds, then lowered into a less streamlined position when at slower-than-light speeds. The Template:ShipClass starships were equipped with this feature, examples of which include the USS Voyager and the USS Bellerophon. (VOY: "Caretaker", DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" et al)

The pylons were raised anytime the ship's warp field was at power levels above idle, even if not used for propulsive effect. (VOY: "Learning Curve")

The Intrepid-class has been the only ship in the Federation starship classes to incorporate this design feature.

Background

The first time the concept of variable-geometry warp nacelle pylons is mentioned anywhere is in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual in the section dealing with preliminary concepts for future starships. The goal of these pylons is to improve engine efficiency by optimizing field stress when the ship travels extended journeys at warp 8+ velocity.

In the unpublished VOY Season 1 edition of the Star Trek: Voyager Technical Manual, by Rick Sternbach and Michael Okuda, it is suggested that because of the variable geometry pylons, warp fields might no longer have a negative impact on habitable worlds as established in TNG: "Force of Nature". According to the VOY Season 7 episode VOY: "Renaissance Man", Voyager's warp drive is still a space-time fabric harming conventional warp drive.

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 The first time the concept of variable-geometry warp nacelle pylons is mentioned anywhere is in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]'' in the section dealing with preliminary concepts for future starships. The goal of these pylons is to improve engine efficiency by optimizing field stress when the ship travels extended journeys at [[warp factor|warp 8+]] velocity.
-In the unpublished [[VOY Season 1]] edition of the ''[[Star Trek: Voyager Technical Manual]]'', by [[Rick Sternbach]] and [[Michael Okuda]], it is suggested that because of the variable geometry pylons, warp fields might no longer have a negative impact on habitable worlds as established in {{TNG|Force of Nature}}. According to the [[VOY Season 7]] episode {{VOY|Renaissance Man}}, ''Voyager''{{'}}s warp drive is still a space-time fabric harming conventional warp drive. (However, this claim was made not only by an alien species that may not be familiar with Voyager's particular design, but that species was later revealed to be a ruse invented by the Doctor, so this is not a highly reliable source of information.)
+In the unpublished [[VOY Season 1]] edition of the ''[[Star Trek: Voyager Technical Manual]]'', by [[Rick Sternbach]] and [[Michael Okuda]], it is suggested that because of the variable geometry pylons, warp fields might no longer have a negative impact on habitable worlds as established in {{TNG|Force of Nature}}. According to the [[VOY Season 7]] episode {{VOY|Renaissance Man}}, ''Voyager''{{'}}s warp drive is still a space-time fabric harming conventional warp drive.
 [[ja:可変静翼パイロン]]