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{{aquote|That machine was designed to manipulate [[space]], to violate the [[laws of motion]]. You make the tiniest mistake, you'll collapse the [[warp field]], you'll crush [[Enterprise (NX-01)|this ship]].|[[Phlox]]'''{{'}}s hallucination of [[Trip Tucker]]'''<nowiki/>|2154|Doctor's Orders}}
[[File:USS Enterprise (alternate reality) at warp.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Enterprise|alternate reality}} at warp]]
 
[[File:USS Enterprise-D, TNG Season 1-2.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} at warp]]
 
   
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{{aquote|Warp drive has been around for three centuries. It's a proven technology.|[[Geordi La Forge]]|2370|Force of Nature}}
"''AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!''"
 
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: - '''Doctor [[Zefram Cochrane]]''' upon approaching Warp 1 in [[2063]]
 
 
[[File:USS Enterprise (alternate reality) at warp.jpg|thumb|The [[Alternate reality|alternate]] {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701 alternate reality}} at warp]]
 
'''Warp drive''' or '''warp engine''' was a [[technology]] that allowed [[space travel]] at [[faster-than-light]] speeds. It worked by generating [[warp field]]s to form a [[subspace bubble]] that enveloped the [[starship]], distorting the local [[spacetime continuum]] and moving the starship at velocities that could greatly exceed the [[speed of light]]. These velocities were referred to as [[warp factor]]s. Warp drive was the most common form of interstellar propulsion used in the [[Milky Way Galaxy]], making interstellar civilization, exploration, and commerce possible. By the 24th century, warp was the primary means of [[Interstellar flight|interstellar transport]], but scientists from various cultures were pursuing various alternative propulsion methods that were hypothetically faster or more efficient.
   
'''Warp drive''' was a technology that allowed space travel at [[faster-than-light]] speeds. It worked by generating [[warp field]]s to form a [[subspace bubble]] that enveloped the [[starship]], distorting the local [[spacetime continuum]] and moving the starship at velocities that could greatly exceed the [[speed of light]]. These velocities were referred to as [[warp factor]]s. Warp drive was the most common form of interstellar propulsion used in the [[Milky Way Galaxy]], making interstellar exploration, commerce, and warfare possible.
 
 
== Etymology ==
 
== Etymology ==
  +
[[File:USS Discovery at warp.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Discovery}} at warp in [[2257]]]]
In [[2063]], the term "warp drive" was already used by [[Zefram Cochrane]] of his engine on the ''[[Phoenix]]''. However, Cochrane used the term "space warp generator" in the monitor displays on his spacecraft. ({{film|8}}) Even as late as the [[2150s]], the [[warp five engine]] was still officially known as a "[[gravimetric field]] displacement manifold". ({{ENT|Cold Front}})
 
  +
[[File:USS Stargazer, Picard Maneuver 2.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Stargazer|NCC-2893}} performs a warp jump]]
 
In [[2063]], the term "warp drive" was already used by [[Zefram Cochrane]] of his [[engine]] on the ''[[Phoenix]]''. However, Cochrane used the term "space warp generator" in the monitor displays on his spacecraft. ({{film|8}}) Even as late as the [[2150s]], the [[warp five engine]] was still officially known as a "[[gravimetric field]] displacement manifold" ({{ENT|Cold Front}}).
   
Most cultures throughout the [[Milky Way Galaxy]] used the term "warp drive" and by the late-[[23rd century]] it was the most common term used by the [[Federation]] as well. (''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', et al.) In the [[2250s]] the term "hyperdrive" was used by [[Starfleet]] ({{TOS|The Cage}}) and the [[Ferengi]] occasionally used the term "lightspeed drive". ({{TNG|Peak Performance}})
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Most cultures throughout the [[Milky Way Galaxy]] used the term "warp drive" and by the late-[[23rd century]] it was the most common term used by the [[Federation]] as well ({{s|TOS}}, et al.). In the [[2250s]] the term "hyperdrive" was used by [[Starfleet]], ({{TOS|The Cage}}) and the [[Ferengi]] occasionally used the term "lightspeed drive". ({{TNG|Peak Performance}}) Finally, there was the term "star drive" which was only used by the Federation and Starfleet in the 2260s. ({{TOS|Bread and Circuses|The Paradise Syndrome}})
   
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Space warp was one of the vocabulary words listed on the chart "A Tunnel in the Sky". This chart was seen in the [[schoolroom]] aboard [[Deep Space 9]] in [[2369]]. ({{DS9|In the Hands of the Prophets}})
{{bginfo|The use of the term "hyperdrive" in {{e|The Cage}} was never fully explained, but the writer's guide, ''The Star Trek Guide'' (third revision, page 8) [http://leethomson.myzen.co.uk/Star_Trek/1_Original_Series/Star_Trek_TOS_Writer's_Guide.pdf] suggests an origin for the term. According to the guide, "hyper-light speed" was an alternative, less preferred, term for "space warp speed". Hyperdrive later became more prominently known as the [[faster-than-light|ftl]] drive in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise. [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Hyperdrive]|According to ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]'' (page 54), the original official term used by Cochrane in the [[2060s]] was "continuum distortion propulsion", which was only informally dubbed as "warp" propulsion at the time.}}
 
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The process of going to warp was described as a [[warp jump]]. ({{ENT|Horizon}}; {{TNG|Peak Performance}}, et al.)
  +
 
{{bginfo|The use of the term "hyperdrive" in {{e|The Cage}} was never fully explained, but the writer's guide, ''The Star Trek Guide'' (third rev., p. 8) ''{{el|leethomson.myzen.co.uk/Star_Trek/1_Original_Series/Star_Trek_TOS_Writer's_Guide.pdf}}'' suggests an origin for the term. According to the guide, "hyper-light speed" was an alternative, less preferred, term for "space warp speed". Decades later, the term "hyper-speed" is referenced in a descriptive/action paragraph of the {{st-minutiae|resources/scripts/106.txt|script}} for {{e|Where No One Has Gone Before}}. [[w:c:starwars:Hyperdrive|Hyperdrive]] later became more prominently known as the [[faster-than-light|ftl]] drive in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise.|According to ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]'' (p. 54), the original official term used by Cochrane in the [[2060s]] was "continuum distortion propulsion", which was only informally dubbed as "warp" propulsion at the time.}}
   
 
== Technology ==
 
== Technology ==
[[File:Rotarran goes to warp.jpg|thumb|The {{IKS|Rotarran}} accelerates to warp, viewed from within the vessel]]
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[[File:Enterprise with disabled nacelle.jpg|thumb|''Enterprise'' with a disabled warp engine]]
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Warp engines were the bulky units found, in many cases, in a starship's [[nacelle]]. ({{TNG|New Ground}})
[[File:Warp without Command.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Voyager}} accelerates to warp]]
 
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[[24th century]] [[Federation]] warp engines were fueled by the reaction of [[matter]] ([[deuterium]]) and [[antimatter]] ([[antideuterium]]), mediated through an assembly of [[dilithium]] crystals, which were nonreactive with antimatter when subjected to high-frequency [[electromagnetic field]]s. This reaction produced a highly energetic [[plasma]], called [[electro-plasma]] or [[warp plasma]], which was channeled by [[plasma conduit]]s through the [[electro-plasma system]] (EPS). The electro-plasma was funneled by [[plasma injector]]s into a series of [[warp coil|warp field coils]], usually located in remote [[warp nacelle]]s. These coils were composed of [[verterium cortenide]] and generated the [[warp field]].
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[[24th century]] [[Federation]] warp engines were fueled by the reaction of [[matter]] ([[deuterium]]) and [[antimatter]] ([[antideuterium]]), mediated through an assembly of [[dilithium]] crystals, which were nonreactive with antimatter when subjected to high-frequency [[electromagnetic field]]s. This reaction produced a highly energetic [[plasma]], called [[electro-plasma]] or [[warp plasma]], which was channeled by [[plasma conduit]]s through the [[electro-plasma system]] (EPS); that system also provided the primary energy supply for the ships other electronic systems. For propulsion the electro-plasma was funneled by [[plasma injector]]s into a series of [[warp coil|warp field coils]], usually located in remote [[warp nacelle]]s. These coils were composed of [[verterium cortenide]] and generated the [[warp field]].
  +
 
Other civilizations used different power sources, such as the [[Romulan]]s' use of [[artificial quantum singularity|artificial quantum singularities]] to power their warp drives, ({{TNG|Timescape}}) but the basic process was similar. In some vessels, such as the {{class|Intrepid}}, the nacelles were mounted on [[variable geometry pylon]]s. ({{VOY|Caretaker}})
   
 
[[File:Warp propulsion systems graphic.jpg|thumb|A display showing the main components of a warp drive]]
Other civilizations used different power sources, such as the [[Romulan]]s' use of [[artificial quantum singularity|artificial quantum singularities]] to power their warp drives, but the basic process was similar. In some vessels, such as the {{ShipClass|Intrepid}}, the nacelles were mounted on [[variable geometry pylon]]s.
 
   
 
=== Parts of the system ===
 
=== Parts of the system ===
[[File:Warp propulsion systems graphic.jpg|thumb|The main components of a warp drive]]
 
[[File:Sovereign Warp Core.jpg|thumb| ''Sovereign''-class [[warp core]]]]
 
 
*[[Antimatter containment]]
 
*[[Antimatter containment]]
 
*[[Antimatter inducer]]
 
*[[Antimatter inducer]]
 
*[[Antimatter relay]]
 
*[[Antimatter relay]]
 
*[[Deuterium cartridge]]s
 
*[[Deuterium cartridge]]s
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*[[Deuterium control conduit]]
 
*[[Electro-plasma]]
 
*[[Electro-plasma]]
 
*[[Emergency shutdown trip]]s
 
*[[Emergency shutdown trip]]s
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*[[Warp core]] / [[matter-antimatter reaction assembly|matter/antimatter reaction assembly]]
 
*[[Warp core]] / [[matter-antimatter reaction assembly|matter/antimatter reaction assembly]]
 
**[[Antimatter injector]]
 
**[[Antimatter injector]]
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**[[Antiproton injection seal]]
 
**[[Dilithium crystal chamber]]
 
**[[Dilithium crystal chamber]]
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***[[dilithium articulation frame]]
 
***[[dilithium chamber hatch]]
 
***[[dilithium chamber hatch]]
 
***[[dilithium crystal]]
 
***[[dilithium crystal]]
***[[dilithium articulation frame]]
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***[[dilithium regulator]]
 
**[[Intermix chamber]]
 
**[[Intermix chamber]]
**[[Matter injector]]/[[deuterium injector]]
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**[[Matter injector]] / [[deuterium injector]]
 
**[[Theta-matrix compositor]]
 
**[[Theta-matrix compositor]]
   
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*[[S-2 graf unit]]
 
*[[S-2 graf unit]]
 
*[[Subspace resonator]]
 
*[[Subspace resonator]]
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*[[Tetryon plasma|Tetryon plasma warp drive]]
 
*[[Tricyclic plasma drive]]
 
*[[Tricyclic plasma drive]]
 
*[[Warp five engine]]
 
*[[Warp five engine]]
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== Development ==
 
== Development ==
Warp drive and other faster-than-light (FTL) propulsion technologies were the linchpin of an interstellar civilization, making trade and exploration across vast interstellar distances viable. Without these technologies, these distances could not be crossed in any reasonable period of time, making interstellar civilization usually limited to a single sector. ({{TNG|A Matter of Time}}) To put this in perspective, [[planet]]s that were years away with [[impulse drive|impulse speeds]] could be reached in days with ships equipped with warp drive. ({{TOS|Where No Man Has Gone Before}})
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Warp drive and other faster-than-light (FTL) propulsion technologies were the linchpin of an interstellar civilization, making trade and exploration across vast interstellar distances viable. Without these technologies, these distances could not be crossed in any reasonable period of time, making interstellar civilization usually limited to a single sector. ({{TNG|A Matter Of Time}}) To put this in perspective, [[planet]]s that were years away with [[impulse drive|impulse speeds]] could be reached in days with ships equipped with warp drive. ({{TOS|Where No Man Has Gone Before}})
   
  +
[[File:Rotarran goes to warp.jpg|thumb|The {{IKS|Rotarran}} accelerates to warp, viewed from within the vessel]]
Cultures in the galaxy discovered warp drive at their own pace and rate of development, as most of the cultures had to do. The [[Vulcan]]s were an interstellar civilization by [[1st millennium BC|9th century BC]]. ({{ENT|The Andorian Incident}}) They invented warp drive some time after [[1947]] and had reached the level of warp 7 by [[2151]]. ({{ENT|Fallen Hero}}; {{DS9|Little Green Men}}) [[Klingon]]s had interstellar travel capability around the time of [[Kahless]] in the [[9th century]]. They also invented warp drive some time after 1947 and had achieved the capability of warp 6 by 2151. ({{TNG|Rightful Heir}}; {{DS9|Little Green Men}}; {{VOY|Day of Honor}}; {{ENT|Judgment}}) Romulans were once considered a group of thugs and warp drive was regarded as the key technology that allowed the founding of their [[Romulan Star Empire|Star Empire]]. ({{film|9}}) The [[Vissian]]s developed warp drive around the [[12th century]]. ({{ENT|Cogenitor}}) The [[Borg]] in the [[Delta Quadrant]] began to establish their interstellar [[Borg Collective|collective]] by the [[15th century]]. ({{VOY|Dragon's Teeth}}) However, it was the rapid progress of [[Human]]ity which led to the wide-scale exploration of the galaxy and the formation of the [[United Federation of Planets]].
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Cultures in the galaxy discovered warp drive at their own pace and rate of development, as most of the cultures had to do. The [[Vulcan]]s were an interstellar civilization by [[1st millennium BC|9th century BC]] and had reached the level of warp 7 by [[2151]]. ({{ENT|The Andorian Incident|Fallen Hero}}; {{DS9|Little Green Men}}) [[Klingon]]s had interstellar travel capability around the time of [[Kahless]] in the [[9th century]]. They had achieved the capability of warp 6 by 2151. ({{TNG|Rightful Heir}}; {{DS9|Little Green Men}}; {{VOY|Day of Honor}}; {{ENT|Judgment}}) [[Romulan]]s were once considered a group of [[petty thug]]s and warp drive was regarded as the key technology that allowed the founding of the [[Romulan Star Empire]]. ({{film|9}}) The [[Vissian]]s developed warp drive around the [[12th century]]. ({{ENT|Cogenitor}}) The [[Borg]] in the [[Delta Quadrant]] began to establish their interstellar [[Borg Collective|collective]] by the [[15th century]]. ({{VOY|Dragon's Teeth}}) In the Alpha Quadrant, the rapid progress of [[Human]]ity in the [[22nd century]] led to the wide-scale exploration of the galaxy being one of the basic goals of the [[United Federation of Planets]], founded in [[2161]].
  +
 
{{bginfo|[[Quark]] stated in "Little Green Men" that the [[Ferengi]] would have had warp drive "centuries" before the "Humans, Klingons, and even the Vulcans," had he delivered warp technology to [[Ferenginar]] in 1947. See [[Little Green Men (episode)#Trivia|Little Green Men &ndash; Trivia]] for more information. For the Vulcans, this is contradicted in {{ENT|Carbon Creek}}, where Vulcans are clearly depicted as warp-capable in [[1957]], with the ability to reach [[Earth]] with relatively small [[Vulcan survey ship 001|survey ships]].|According to "Rightful Heir", before [[Kahless]] died, he declared he would one day return, in the [[Boreth]] [[star system]]. Shortly after this, Klingons built the Boreth monastery there to await for his return. According to the episode "Day of Honor", Kahless lived in the 9th century. It is stated in ''[[Star Trek: Star Charts]]'' (p. 55) that Klingons had achieved warp capability in the year 930. Quark, however, stated in "Little Green Men" that the Ferengi would have had warp drive before the Klingons, had he delivered warp technology to [[Ferenginar]] in 1947.|Regarding Vulcan propulsion technology aboard the [[T'Plana-Hath (starship)|T'Plana-Hath]], [[Ronald D. Moore]] commented, "''Certainly [[Zefram Cochrane|Cochrane]] is credited with the invention of warp drive as we know it in ''Trek'', so we could assume that the Vulcans were using something else &ndash; possibly a variant of the contained [[Artificial quantum singularity|singularity]] used by the Romulans. That might have been a much more dangerous and inefficient technology which was quickly abandoned by most of the galaxy when Cochrane's system was introduced.''" {{AOLchat|Ronald D. Moore|ron063|1997}}}}
   
 
The development of the warp drive was recognized by the United Federation of Planets as the marker of an advanced society. It was only after a people developed warp drive that the Federation made contact, as codified in the [[Prime Directive]]. ({{TNG|First Contact}}) A warp capable society was deemed technically and psychologically ready to embrace the universe at large.
{{bginfo|According to "Rightful Heir", before [[Kahless]] died, he declared he would one day return, in the [[Boreth]] [[star system]]. Shortly after this, Klingons built the Boreth monastery there to await for his return. According to the episode "Day of Honor", Kahless lived in the 9th century. It is stated in ''[[Star Trek: Star Charts]]'' (p. 55) that Klingons had achieved warp capability in the year 930. Quark, however, stated in "Little Green Men" that the Ferengi would have had warp drive before the Klingons, had he delivered warp technology to [[Ferenginar]] in 1947.|Regarding Vulcan propulsion technology aboard the [[T'Plana-Hath (starship)|T'Plana-Hath]], [[Ronald D. Moore]] commented, "''Certainly [[Zefram Cochrane|Cochrane]] is credited with the invention of warp drive as we know it in ''Trek'', so we could assume that the Vulcans were using something else &ndash; possibly a variant of the contained [[Artificial quantum singularity|singularity]] used by the Romulans. That might have been a much more dangerous and inefficient technology which was quickly abandoned by most of the galaxy when Cochrane's system was introduced.''" {{AOLchat|Ronald D. Moore|ron063|1997}}}}
 
   
  +
According to [[Science Officer]] [[Spock]] in [[2259]], not once in the entire [[history]] of [[first contact]] had warp been first developed as anything but a drive. However, the [[Kiley]] had developed warp in the form of a [[warp bomb]]. ({{SNW|Strange New Worlds}})
The development of the warp drive was recognized by the United Federation of Planets as the marker of an advanced society. It was only after a people developed warp drive that the Federation made contact, as codified in the [[Prime Directive]]. ({{TNG|First Contact}})
 
   
 
=== 21st century ===
 
=== 21st century ===
 
[[File:Phoenix warp.jpg|thumb|''Phoenix'' goes to warp]]
 
[[File:Phoenix warp.jpg|thumb|''Phoenix'' goes to warp]]
On [[Earth]], warp drive was initially developed by [[Zefram Cochrane]], in the period following [[World War III]]. ({{film|8}})
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On [[Earth]], warp drive was initially developed by [[Zefram Cochrane]], in the period following [[World War III]]. ({{film|8}})
   
The spacecraft credited with discovering the space warp phenomenon was the [[Bonaventure (C1-21)|''Bonaventure'' (C1-21)]]. ({{DS9|The Nagus}}, ''production art'')
+
The spacecraft credited with discovering the space warp phenomenon was the ''{{dis|Bonaventure|C1-21}}''. ({{DS9|The Nagus}}, ''production art'')
   
 
Despite the hardships imposed by the war's aftermath and the lack of advanced materials, Cochrane was able to build a manned warp-capable vessel using a converted [[Titan II]] missile. The successful first flight of his ship &ndash; the ''[[Phoenix]]'' &ndash; took place on [[April|April 5]], [[2063]], and drew the attention of a [[Vulcan]] exploratory vessel, leading to the event known as [[First Contact]]. ({{film|8}})
 
Despite the hardships imposed by the war's aftermath and the lack of advanced materials, Cochrane was able to build a manned warp-capable vessel using a converted [[Titan II]] missile. The successful first flight of his ship &ndash; the ''[[Phoenix]]'' &ndash; took place on [[April|April 5]], [[2063]], and drew the attention of a [[Vulcan]] exploratory vessel, leading to the event known as [[First Contact]]. ({{film|8}})
   
The [[Bonaventure (10281NCC)|''Bonaventure'' (10281NCC)]] then became the first deep-space starship to have warp drive installed. ({{TAS|The Time Trap}})
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The ''{{dis|Bonaventure|10281NCC|Bonaventure}}'' then became the first deep-space starship to have warp drive installed. ({{TAS|The Time Trap}})
   
 
=== 22nd century ===
 
=== 22nd century ===
  +
[[File:Columbia mirrors Enterprise.jpg|thumb|Two {{class|NX}} starships in tandem warp flight]]
Development of warp technology proceeded slowly over the next eighty years, after the flight of the ''Phoenix'' &ndash; due, in no small part, to the cautious advice of the Vulcans &ndash; and it was not until the [[2140s]] that a warp engine developed by [[Henry Archer]] at the [[Warp Five Complex]] could exceed warp factor 2.
+
Development of warp technology by humans proceeded slowly over the next eighty years, after the flight of the ''Phoenix'' &ndash; due, in no small part, to the cautious advice of the Vulcans &ndash; and it was not until the [[2140s]] that a warp engine developed by [[Henry Archer]] at the [[Warp Five Complex]] could exceed warp factor 2.
   
This engine was successfully tested in the [[NX-Beta|second NX prototype]] by Commanders [[A.G. Robinson]] and [[Jonathan Archer]] to a speed of warp 2.5, breaking the so-called "[[warp 2 barrier]]." ({{ENT|First Flight}})
+
This engine was successfully tested in the [[NX Beta|second NX prototype]] by Commanders [[A.G. Robinson]] and [[Jonathan Archer]] to a speed of warp 2.5, breaking the so-called "[[warp 2 barrier]]" in [[2143]]. Eight months later, [[Duvall]] achieved warp 3 with the [[NX Delta]]. Warp 4 was first achieved by the {{USS|Franklin}}. ({{ENT|First Flight}}; {{film|13}})
   
By the year [[2151]], warp technology was sufficiently advanced to allow a vessel to travel at warp 5, and the first Human [[starship]], [[Enterprise (NX-01)|''Enterprise'']], was built with this capability. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}}) Although ''Enterprise'' was at first unable to fully realize this potential (maxing out at warp 4.7), the starship finally reached warp 5 on [[February|February 9]], [[2152]]. ({{ENT|Fallen Hero}})
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By the year [[2149]], warp technology was sufficiently advanced to begin the construction of {{NX|Enterprise}}, a vessel capable of warp 5 and launched in [[2151]]. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}}) Although ''Enterprise'' was at first unable to fully realize this potential (maxing out at warp 4.7), the starship finally reached warp 5 on [[February|February 9]], [[2152]]. ({{ENT|Fallen Hero}})
   
By [[2161]], Starfleet warp drive technology had achieved the capability to reach warp 7, and these engines were being built into the latest class of Starfleet vessels. ({{ENT|These Are the Voyages...}})
+
By [[2161]], Starfleet warp drive technology had achieved the capability to reach warp 7, and these engines were being built into the latest class of Starfleet vessels as the NX-class ships were being decommissioned. ({{ENT|These Are the Voyages...}})
   
 
=== 23rd century ===
 
=== 23rd century ===
  +
[[File:USS Shenzhou at warp.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Shenzhou}} at warp in [[2256]]]]
Development and improvement of warp drive continued apace, and by the [[2240s]], [[Starfleet]] vessels of the {{ShipClass|Constitution}} had standard cruising speeds of warp 6 and emergency speeds as high as warp 8 (although under the right conditions, the engines could reach warp 9). These ships took advantage of a major breakthrough in warp technology that took place between [[2236]] and [[2254]], the breaking of the so-called "[[time barrier]]". ({{TOS|The Cage}})
+
Development and improvement of warp drive continued apace, and by the [[2240s]], [[Starfleet]] vessels of the {{class|Constitution}} had standard [[cruising speed]]s of warp 6 and emergency speeds as high as warp 8 (although under the right conditions, the engines could reach warp 9). These ships took advantage of a major breakthrough in warp technology that took place between [[2236]] and [[2254]], the breaking of the so-called "[[time barrier]]". ({{TOS|The Cage}})
   
 
Higher warp factors continued to be reached, mostly through alien intervention, or dangerous malfunction. The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} was modified by the [[Kelvan]]s to maintain a speed of warp 11 in [[2268]]. Later that year, the ''Enterprise'' accelerated to a speed of warp factor 14.1, after being sabotaged by a [[Kalandan]] [[planetary defense system]]. At that velocity, however, the ship came within moments of destroying itself. ({{TOS|By Any Other Name|That Which Survives}})
 
Higher warp factors continued to be reached, mostly through alien intervention, or dangerous malfunction. The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} was modified by the [[Kelvan]]s to maintain a speed of warp 11 in [[2268]]. Later that year, the ''Enterprise'' accelerated to a speed of warp factor 14.1, after being sabotaged by a [[Kalandan]] [[planetary defense system]]. At that velocity, however, the ship came within moments of destroying itself. ({{TOS|By Any Other Name|That Which Survives}})
   
At around the same time, warp engines were being redesigned to allow standard speeds of warp 8 and above. During the refit of the ''Constitution''-class, the cylindrical-shaped nacelles were replaced with a new flattened design. ({{film|1}})
+
At around the same time, warp engines were being redesigned to allow standard speeds of warp 8 and above. During the refit of the ''Constitution''-class, the cylindrical-shaped nacelles were replaced with a new flattened design. Engines required precise tuning; imbalanced engines caused a [[wormhole effect]] that almost destroyed ''Enterprise'' on its first mission after refit. ({{film|1}})
   
 
{{bginfo|According to the ''[[Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology]]'' (p. 180), the new warp drive of the ''Enterprise'' after the refit was an advanced fourth generation warp drive system known as "pulsed warp drive".}}
 
{{bginfo|According to the ''[[Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology]]'' (p. 180), the new warp drive of the ''Enterprise'' after the refit was an advanced fourth generation warp drive system known as "pulsed warp drive".}}
   
  +
[[File:USS Enterprise-A escapes Klingon attack.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-A|-A}} jumps to warp to escape an incoming [[photon torpedo]]]]
Warp theory continued to advance with the development of the first [[transwarp drive]] engines in the mid-[[2280s]], which would have theoretically allowed greater efficiency and any warp speed to be available for a ship. However, the transwarp experiment of {{USS|Excelsior}} ended in failure, and the technology was abandoned at that time. The ''Excelsior'' itself was deemed spaceworthy, retrofitted with conventional warp drive and commissioned as NCC-2000 under the command of [[Captain]] [[Hikaru Sulu]]. ({{film|3}}; {{VOY|Threshold}}; {{film|6}})
+
Warp theory continued to advance with the development of the first [[transwarp drive]] engines in the mid-[[2280s]], which would have theoretically allowed greater efficiency and any warp speed to be available for a ship. However, the transwarp experiment of {{USS|Excelsior|NCC-2000}} ended in failure, and the technology was abandoned at that time. The ''Excelsior'' itself was deemed spaceworthy, retrofitted with conventional warp drive and commissioned as NCC-2000 under the command of [[Captain]] [[Hikaru Sulu]]. ({{film|3}}; {{VOY|Threshold}}; {{film|6}})
   
 
=== 24th century ===
 
=== 24th century ===
 
[[File:USS Enterprise-D, TNG Season 1-2.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} at warp]]
 
At some point in the 24th century, a new warp factor scale came into use, which placed warp 10 as a theoretical maximum. ({{VOY|Threshold}})
 
At some point in the 24th century, a new warp factor scale came into use, which placed warp 10 as a theoretical maximum. ({{VOY|Threshold}})
   
 
{{bginfo|According to ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]'', the new scale was a more advanced function than the previous cubic power scale, with factors increasing exponentially in terms of power consumption and equivalent speed. This "new" scale also presents a maximum "cap" on the absolute velocity of a warp drive, even beyond the warp 10 limit; since energy cannot be created or destroyed, an exponential increase in power consumption would eventually outstrip the amount of available energy in the known universe.}}
 
{{bginfo|According to ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]'', the new scale was a more advanced function than the previous cubic power scale, with factors increasing exponentially in terms of power consumption and equivalent speed. This "new" scale also presents a maximum "cap" on the absolute velocity of a warp drive, even beyond the warp 10 limit; since energy cannot be created or destroyed, an exponential increase in power consumption would eventually outstrip the amount of available energy in the known universe.}}
   
By the time the {{ShipClass|Galaxy}} starship was being designed in the [[2360s]], warp technology had progressed to the point where speeds of warp 9.6 could be sustained for up to twelve hours, although warp 9.2 was considered the "red line." ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}})
+
By the time the {{class|Galaxy}} starship was being designed in the [[2360s]], warp technology had progressed to the point where speeds of warp 9.6 could be sustained for up to twelve hours, although warp 9.2 was considered the "red line." ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}})
   
{{bginfo|According to ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual]]'' (pp. 151-158), the classification of Federation warp drives capable of maintaining speeds of warp factor 9.2 and above for at least 12 hours was "1,500+ [[Cochrane (unit)|cochrane]] warp core".}}
+
{{bginfo|According to ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual]]'' (pp. 151-158), the classification of Federation warp drives capable of maintaining speeds of warp factor 9.2 and above for at least twelve hours was "1,500+ {{dis|cochrane|unit}} warp core".}}
   
  +
In [[2367]], the warp drive on the ''Galaxy''-class starship was managed by the '''warp propulsion power system'''. In that year, when [[Data]] [[hijack]]ed the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, he issued a command override on this system giving him complete control of the system from the [[bridge]]. ({{TNG|Brothers}})
  +
 
[[File:Warp without Command.jpg|thumb|''Voyager'' accelerates to warp]]
 
The {{USS|Voyager}} was capable of a top cruising speed of warp 9.975. ({{VOY|Caretaker|Relativity}})
 
The {{USS|Voyager}} was capable of a top cruising speed of warp 9.975. ({{VOY|Caretaker|Relativity}})
   
 
The {{USS|Prometheus|Prometheus class}} was capable of a sustained cruising speed of warp 9.9. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle}})
 
The {{USS|Prometheus|Prometheus class}} was capable of a sustained cruising speed of warp 9.9. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle}})
   
In [[2370]], the [[Hekaran]] [[scientist]] [[Serova]] discovered that the use of conventional warp engines caused damage to the fabric of spacetime. The [[Federation Council]] imposed a [[speed limit]] of warp factor 5 on all [[Federation]] vessels in all but extreme emergency cases, such as medical emergencies. ({{TNG|Force of Nature|Eye of the Beholder}})
+
In [[2370]], the [[Hekaran]] [[scientist]] [[Serova]] discovered that the use of conventional warp engines caused damage to the fabric of spacetime. The [[Federation Council]] imposed a [[speed limit]] of warp factor 5 on all [[Federation]] vessels in all but extreme emergency cases, such as medical emergencies. A [[conspiracy theory]] posit by [[Steve Levy]] suggested that the discovery of this was part of a [[Vendorian]] [[morality test]] ({{TNG|Force of Nature|The Pegasus|Eye of the Beholder}}, {{LD|Caves}})
   
{{bginfo|Warp speeds above warp 5 were routinely used after 2370, without mention of the harmful effects, suggesting a solution was found, even though it was not mentioned on-screen. (''[[Star Trek Encyclopedia]]'' 2nd ed., p. 187) See also: [[Variable geometry pylon]]. As the "speed limit" probably also limited potential future storylines, it seems that the concept was quietly done away with, shortly into the next season. [[Brannon Braga]] has noted that, "''When you limit warp drive, the rug is being pulled out from under ''[[Star Trek]]''.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 294)}}
+
{{bginfo|Warp speeds above warp 5 were routinely used after 2370, without mention of the harmful effects, suggesting a solution was found, even though it was not mentioned on-screen. ({{ste|2|187}}) See also: [[Variable geometry pylon]]. As the "speed limit" probably also limited potential future storylines, it seems that the concept was quietly done away with, shortly into the next season. [[Brannon Braga]] has noted that, "''When you limit warp drive, the rug is being pulled out from under ''[[Star Trek]]''.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 294) Technical specifications for the USS ''Voyager'' published in ''[[Star Trek: Voyager 25th Anniversary Special]]'' state that the vessel's advanced warp system allows the vessel to exceed the warp speed limit without damaging the nearby space continuum.}}
   
It was not until [[2372]], that the [[transwarp threshold]] was broken by the Federation. [[Tom Paris]] of the {{USS|Voyager}} managed to achieve infinite velocity on the [[shuttlecraft]] [[Cochrane (shuttlecraft)|''Cochrane'']]. However, this form of travel was found to have severe, unanticipated [[hyper-evolution|side effects]]. ({{VOY|Threshold}})
+
It was not until [[2372]], that the [[transwarp threshold]] was broken by the Federation. [[Tom Paris]] of the USS ''Voyager'' managed to achieve infinite velocity on the [[shuttlecraft]] ''{{dis|Cochrane|2372}}''. However, this form of travel was found to have severe, unanticipated [[hyper-evolution|side effects]]. ({{VOY|Threshold}})
   
 
=== ...and beyond ===
 
=== ...and beyond ===
In an [[anti-time future|alternative future]] once glimpsed by [[Jean-Luc Picard]], speeds of at least warp 13 were possible. ({{TNG|All Good Things...}})
+
In [[anti-time future|what was originally the future]] which was observed and altered by [[Jean-Luc Picard]], speeds of at least warp 13 were possible. ({{TNG|All Good Things...}})
{{bginfo|In the October 1995 issue of OMNI, science advisor [[Andre Bormanis]] stated the idea of warp factors beyond 10 in the alternative future was a recalibration of the warp scale, as ships of that era had gotten faster. Bormanis suggested the possibility that warp factor 15 was set to be the ultimate speed limit and warp 13 in that scale would have been the equivalent of warp factor 9.95 in the previous scale.|The box of the [[Playmates]] desktop model of the alternative future-Enterprise-D called it a [[transwarp]]ing ship. [http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Transwarping-Starship-Enterprise/dp/B000SAGJLQ]}}
+
{{bginfo|In the October 1995 issue of ''OMNI'', science advisor [[Andre Bormanis]] stated the idea of warp factors beyond 10 in the alternative future was a recalibration of the warp scale, as ships of that era had gotten faster. Bormanis suggested the possibility that warp factor 15 was set to be the ultimate speed limit and warp 13 in that scale would have been the equivalent of warp factor 9.95 in the previous scale.|The box of the [[Playmates]] desktop model of the alternative future ''Enterprise''-D called it a [[transwarp]]ing ship. ''{{el|amazon.com/Star-Trek-Transwarping-Starship-Enterprise/dp/B000SAGJLQ}}''}}
   
 
== Appendices ==
 
== Appendices ==
 
=== Background information ===
 
=== Background information ===
[[Gene Roddenberry]] originally intended the ''Enterprise'' to become transparent while in warp drive, as depicted in {{e|The Cage}} (later reformatted into the two-part "The Menagerie").
+
[[Gene Roddenberry]] originally intended the ''Enterprise'' to become transparent while in warp drive, as depicted in {{e|The Cage}} (later reformatted into the two-part "The Menagerie"). The idea was that the ship would be traveling faster than light, which means that light would not reach it, rendering the vessel invisible to the naked eye. However, according to Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity, the speed of light is a constant from any frame of reference; an observer moving at close to {{var|c}} would still observe light moving toward him and away from him at {{var|c}}.
 
The idea was that the ship would be traveling ''faster'' than light, which means that light would not reach it, rendering the vessel invisible to the naked eye.
 
However, according to Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity, the speed of light is a constant from any frame of reference. An observer moving at close to "c" would still observe light moving toward him and away from him at "c."
 
   
 
=== External links ===
 
=== External links ===
  +
* {{startrek.com|database_article/warp-drive_1997-10-06-00-00-00||external}}
* {{NCwiki}}
+
* {{mbeta}}
* [http://www.star-trek-voyager.net/btshtm/bts_bormanis_primer.htm#ftl André Bormanis's explanation of Warp Drive]
 
  +
* {{mbeta|Hyperdrive}}
*[http://www.astro.cf.ac.uk/groups/relativity/papers/abstracts/miguel94a.html The Warp Drive: Hyper-Fast Travel Within General Relativity] - a paper by Miguel Alcubierre
 
 
* {{wikipedia}}
* http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0712/0712.1649v1.pdf Warp Drive: A New Approach. An exciting new concept in warp drive by Richard Obousy
 
 
* {{bl|star-trek-voyager.net/btshtm/bts_bormanis_primer.htm#ftl|André Bormanis's explanation of warp drive}}
* [http://www.calormen.com/Star_Trek/FAQs/warp_velocities-faq.htm rec.arts.startrek.tech Warp Velocities FAQ] - extra information on maximum warp explanations
 
* [http://www.calormen.com/Star_Trek/FAQs/warp-faq.htm rec.arts.startrek.tech Warp and Subspace FAQ] - discussions about warp and subspace
 
* {{wikipedia|Alcubierre drive}}
 
* [[w:c:starwars:Hyperdrive|Hyperdrive]] at [[w:c:starwars|Wookieepedia]], the ''Star Wars'' Wiki
 
 
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[[mu:Warp drive]]
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[[nl:Warpaandrijving]]
 
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[[Category:Warp]]

Latest revision as of 22:47, 9 February 2024

Multiple realities
(covers information from several alternate timelines)
"That machine was designed to manipulate space, to violate the laws of motion. You make the tiniest mistake, you'll collapse the warp field, you'll crush this ship."
– Phlox's hallucination of Trip Tucker, 2154 ("Doctor's Orders")
"Warp drive has been around for three centuries. It's a proven technology."
USS Enterprise (alternate reality) at warp

The alternate USS Enterprise at warp

Warp drive or warp engine was a technology that allowed space travel at faster-than-light speeds. It worked by generating warp fields to form a subspace bubble that enveloped the starship, distorting the local spacetime continuum and moving the starship at velocities that could greatly exceed the speed of light. These velocities were referred to as warp factors. Warp drive was the most common form of interstellar propulsion used in the Milky Way Galaxy, making interstellar civilization, exploration, and commerce possible. By the 24th century, warp was the primary means of interstellar transport, but scientists from various cultures were pursuing various alternative propulsion methods that were hypothetically faster or more efficient.

Etymology

USS Discovery at warp

The USS Discovery at warp in 2257

USS Stargazer, Picard Maneuver 2

The USS Stargazer performs a warp jump

In 2063, the term "warp drive" was already used by Zefram Cochrane of his engine on the Phoenix. However, Cochrane used the term "space warp generator" in the monitor displays on his spacecraft. (Star Trek: First Contact) Even as late as the 2150s, the warp five engine was still officially known as a "gravimetric field displacement manifold" (ENT: "Cold Front").

Most cultures throughout the Milky Way Galaxy used the term "warp drive" and by the late-23rd century it was the most common term used by the Federation as well (Star Trek: The Original Series, et al.). In the 2250s the term "hyperdrive" was used by Starfleet, (TOS: "The Cage") and the Ferengi occasionally used the term "lightspeed drive". (TNG: "Peak Performance") Finally, there was the term "star drive" which was only used by the Federation and Starfleet in the 2260s. (TOS: "Bread and Circuses", "The Paradise Syndrome")

Space warp was one of the vocabulary words listed on the chart "A Tunnel in the Sky". This chart was seen in the schoolroom aboard Deep Space 9 in 2369. (DS9: "In the Hands of the Prophets")

The process of going to warp was described as a warp jump. (ENT: "Horizon"; TNG: "Peak Performance", et al.)

The use of the term "hyperdrive" in "The Cage" was never fully explained, but the writer's guide, The Star Trek Guide (third rev., p. 8) [1] suggests an origin for the term. According to the guide, "hyper-light speed" was an alternative, less preferred, term for "space warp speed". Decades later, the term "hyper-speed" is referenced in a descriptive/action paragraph of the script for "Where No One Has Gone Before". Hyperdrive later became more prominently known as the ftl drive in the Star Wars franchise.
According to Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual (p. 54), the original official term used by Cochrane in the 2060s was "continuum distortion propulsion", which was only informally dubbed as "warp" propulsion at the time.

Technology

Enterprise with disabled nacelle

Enterprise with a disabled warp engine

Warp engines were the bulky units found, in many cases, in a starship's nacelle. (TNG: "New Ground")

24th century Federation warp engines were fueled by the reaction of matter (deuterium) and antimatter (antideuterium), mediated through an assembly of dilithium crystals, which were nonreactive with antimatter when subjected to high-frequency electromagnetic fields. This reaction produced a highly energetic plasma, called electro-plasma or warp plasma, which was channeled by plasma conduits through the electro-plasma system (EPS); that system also provided the primary energy supply for the ships other electronic systems. For propulsion the electro-plasma was funneled by plasma injectors into a series of warp field coils, usually located in remote warp nacelles. These coils were composed of verterium cortenide and generated the warp field.

Other civilizations used different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, (TNG: "Timescape") but the basic process was similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles were mounted on variable geometry pylons. (VOY: "Caretaker")

Warp propulsion systems graphic

A display showing the main components of a warp drive

Parts of the system

System types

Development

Warp drive and other faster-than-light (FTL) propulsion technologies were the linchpin of an interstellar civilization, making trade and exploration across vast interstellar distances viable. Without these technologies, these distances could not be crossed in any reasonable period of time, making interstellar civilization usually limited to a single sector. (TNG: "A Matter Of Time") To put this in perspective, planets that were years away with impulse speeds could be reached in days with ships equipped with warp drive. (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before")

Rotarran goes to warp

The IKS Rotarran accelerates to warp, viewed from within the vessel

Cultures in the galaxy discovered warp drive at their own pace and rate of development, as most of the cultures had to do. The Vulcans were an interstellar civilization by 9th century BC and had reached the level of warp 7 by 2151. (ENT: "The Andorian Incident", "Fallen Hero"; DS9: "Little Green Men") Klingons had interstellar travel capability around the time of Kahless in the 9th century. They had achieved the capability of warp 6 by 2151. (TNG: "Rightful Heir"; DS9: "Little Green Men"; VOY: "Day of Honor"; ENT: "Judgment") Romulans were once considered a group of petty thugs and warp drive was regarded as the key technology that allowed the founding of the Romulan Star Empire. (Star Trek: Insurrection) The Vissians developed warp drive around the 12th century. (ENT: "Cogenitor") The Borg in the Delta Quadrant began to establish their interstellar collective by the 15th century. (VOY: "Dragon's Teeth") In the Alpha Quadrant, the rapid progress of Humanity in the 22nd century led to the wide-scale exploration of the galaxy being one of the basic goals of the United Federation of Planets, founded in 2161.

Quark stated in "Little Green Men" that the Ferengi would have had warp drive "centuries" before the "Humans, Klingons, and even the Vulcans," had he delivered warp technology to Ferenginar in 1947. See Little Green Men – Trivia for more information. For the Vulcans, this is contradicted in ENT: "Carbon Creek", where Vulcans are clearly depicted as warp-capable in 1957, with the ability to reach Earth with relatively small survey ships.
According to "Rightful Heir", before Kahless died, he declared he would one day return, in the Boreth star system. Shortly after this, Klingons built the Boreth monastery there to await for his return. According to the episode "Day of Honor", Kahless lived in the 9th century. It is stated in Star Trek: Star Charts (p. 55) that Klingons had achieved warp capability in the year 930. Quark, however, stated in "Little Green Men" that the Ferengi would have had warp drive before the Klingons, had he delivered warp technology to Ferenginar in 1947.
Regarding Vulcan propulsion technology aboard the T'Plana-Hath, Ronald D. Moore commented, "Certainly Cochrane is credited with the invention of warp drive as we know it in Trek, so we could assume that the Vulcans were using something else – possibly a variant of the contained singularity used by the Romulans. That might have been a much more dangerous and inefficient technology which was quickly abandoned by most of the galaxy when Cochrane's system was introduced." (AOL chat, 1997)

The development of the warp drive was recognized by the United Federation of Planets as the marker of an advanced society. It was only after a people developed warp drive that the Federation made contact, as codified in the Prime Directive. (TNG: "First Contact") A warp capable society was deemed technically and psychologically ready to embrace the universe at large.

According to Science Officer Spock in 2259, not once in the entire history of first contact had warp been first developed as anything but a drive. However, the Kiley had developed warp in the form of a warp bomb. (SNW: "Strange New Worlds")

21st century

Phoenix warp

Phoenix goes to warp

On Earth, warp drive was initially developed by Zefram Cochrane, in the period following World War III. (Star Trek: First Contact)

The spacecraft credited with discovering the space warp phenomenon was the Bonaventure. (DS9: "The Nagus", production art)

Despite the hardships imposed by the war's aftermath and the lack of advanced materials, Cochrane was able to build a manned warp-capable vessel using a converted Titan II missile. The successful first flight of his ship – the Phoenix – took place on April 5, 2063, and drew the attention of a Vulcan exploratory vessel, leading to the event known as First Contact. (Star Trek: First Contact)

The Bonaventure then became the first deep-space starship to have warp drive installed. (TAS: "The Time Trap")

22nd century

Columbia mirrors Enterprise

Two NX-class starships in tandem warp flight

Development of warp technology by humans proceeded slowly over the next eighty years, after the flight of the Phoenix – due, in no small part, to the cautious advice of the Vulcans – and it was not until the 2140s that a warp engine developed by Henry Archer at the Warp Five Complex could exceed warp factor 2.

This engine was successfully tested in the second NX prototype by Commanders A.G. Robinson and Jonathan Archer to a speed of warp 2.5, breaking the so-called "warp 2 barrier" in 2143. Eight months later, Duvall achieved warp 3 with the NX Delta. Warp 4 was first achieved by the USS Franklin. (ENT: "First Flight"; Star Trek Beyond)

By the year 2149, warp technology was sufficiently advanced to begin the construction of Enterprise, a vessel capable of warp 5 and launched in 2151. (ENT: "Broken Bow") Although Enterprise was at first unable to fully realize this potential (maxing out at warp 4.7), the starship finally reached warp 5 on February 9, 2152. (ENT: "Fallen Hero")

By 2161, Starfleet warp drive technology had achieved the capability to reach warp 7, and these engines were being built into the latest class of Starfleet vessels as the NX-class ships were being decommissioned. (ENT: "These Are the Voyages...")

23rd century

USS Shenzhou at warp

The USS Shenzhou at warp in 2256

Development and improvement of warp drive continued apace, and by the 2240s, Starfleet vessels of the Constitution-class had standard cruising speeds of warp 6 and emergency speeds as high as warp 8 (although under the right conditions, the engines could reach warp 9). These ships took advantage of a major breakthrough in warp technology that took place between 2236 and 2254, the breaking of the so-called "time barrier". (TOS: "The Cage")

Higher warp factors continued to be reached, mostly through alien intervention, or dangerous malfunction. The USS Enterprise was modified by the Kelvans to maintain a speed of warp 11 in 2268. Later that year, the Enterprise accelerated to a speed of warp factor 14.1, after being sabotaged by a Kalandan planetary defense system. At that velocity, however, the ship came within moments of destroying itself. (TOS: "By Any Other Name", "That Which Survives")

At around the same time, warp engines were being redesigned to allow standard speeds of warp 8 and above. During the refit of the Constitution-class, the cylindrical-shaped nacelles were replaced with a new flattened design. Engines required precise tuning; imbalanced engines caused a wormhole effect that almost destroyed Enterprise on its first mission after refit. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

According to the Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology (p. 180), the new warp drive of the Enterprise after the refit was an advanced fourth generation warp drive system known as "pulsed warp drive".
USS Enterprise-A escapes Klingon attack

The USS Enterprise-A jumps to warp to escape an incoming photon torpedo

Warp theory continued to advance with the development of the first transwarp drive engines in the mid-2280s, which would have theoretically allowed greater efficiency and any warp speed to be available for a ship. However, the transwarp experiment of USS Excelsior ended in failure, and the technology was abandoned at that time. The Excelsior itself was deemed spaceworthy, retrofitted with conventional warp drive and commissioned as NCC-2000 under the command of Captain Hikaru Sulu. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; VOY: "Threshold"; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

24th century

USS Enterprise-D, TNG Season 1-2

The USS Enterprise-D at warp

At some point in the 24th century, a new warp factor scale came into use, which placed warp 10 as a theoretical maximum. (VOY: "Threshold")

According to Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, the new scale was a more advanced function than the previous cubic power scale, with factors increasing exponentially in terms of power consumption and equivalent speed. This "new" scale also presents a maximum "cap" on the absolute velocity of a warp drive, even beyond the warp 10 limit; since energy cannot be created or destroyed, an exponential increase in power consumption would eventually outstrip the amount of available energy in the known universe.

By the time the Galaxy-class starship was being designed in the 2360s, warp technology had progressed to the point where speeds of warp 9.6 could be sustained for up to twelve hours, although warp 9.2 was considered the "red line." (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")

According to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual (pp. 151-158), the classification of Federation warp drives capable of maintaining speeds of warp factor 9.2 and above for at least twelve hours was "1,500+ cochrane warp core".

In 2367, the warp drive on the Galaxy-class starship was managed by the warp propulsion power system. In that year, when Data hijacked the USS Enterprise-D, he issued a command override on this system giving him complete control of the system from the bridge. (TNG: "Brothers")

Warp without Command

Voyager accelerates to warp

The USS Voyager was capable of a top cruising speed of warp 9.975. (VOY: "Caretaker", "Relativity")

The USS Prometheus was capable of a sustained cruising speed of warp 9.9. (VOY: "Message in a Bottle")

In 2370, the Hekaran scientist Serova discovered that the use of conventional warp engines caused damage to the fabric of spacetime. The Federation Council imposed a speed limit of warp factor 5 on all Federation vessels in all but extreme emergency cases, such as medical emergencies. A conspiracy theory posit by Steve Levy suggested that the discovery of this was part of a Vendorian morality test (TNG: "Force of Nature", "The Pegasus", "Eye of the Beholder", LD: "Caves")

Warp speeds above warp 5 were routinely used after 2370, without mention of the harmful effects, suggesting a solution was found, even though it was not mentioned on-screen. (Star Trek Encyclopedia (2nd ed., p. 187)) See also: Variable geometry pylon. As the "speed limit" probably also limited potential future storylines, it seems that the concept was quietly done away with, shortly into the next season. Brannon Braga has noted that, "When you limit warp drive, the rug is being pulled out from under Star Trek." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 294) Technical specifications for the USS Voyager published in Star Trek: Voyager 25th Anniversary Special state that the vessel's advanced warp system allows the vessel to exceed the warp speed limit without damaging the nearby space continuum.

It was not until 2372, that the transwarp threshold was broken by the Federation. Tom Paris of the USS Voyager managed to achieve infinite velocity on the shuttlecraft Cochrane. However, this form of travel was found to have severe, unanticipated side effects. (VOY: "Threshold")

...and beyond

In what was originally the future which was observed and altered by Jean-Luc Picard, speeds of at least warp 13 were possible. (TNG: "All Good Things...")

In the October 1995 issue of OMNI, science advisor Andre Bormanis stated the idea of warp factors beyond 10 in the alternative future was a recalibration of the warp scale, as ships of that era had gotten faster. Bormanis suggested the possibility that warp factor 15 was set to be the ultimate speed limit and warp 13 in that scale would have been the equivalent of warp factor 9.95 in the previous scale.
The box of the Playmates desktop model of the alternative future Enterprise-D called it a transwarping ship. [2]

Appendices

Background information

Gene Roddenberry originally intended the Enterprise to become transparent while in warp drive, as depicted in "The Cage" (later reformatted into the two-part "The Menagerie"). The idea was that the ship would be traveling faster than light, which means that light would not reach it, rendering the vessel invisible to the naked eye. However, according to Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity, the speed of light is a constant from any frame of reference; an observer moving at close to c would still observe light moving toward him and away from him at c.

External links