# Newbie questions about star trek **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847 "2003-02-13T15:57:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TheeGrumpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheeGrumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheeGrumpy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/21 "2003-02-13T22:50:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **GuanoLad** > There is also a Battle Bridge, which is buried deeper in the center of the primary hull, for safety. The battle bridge was on Deck 8 of the 1701-D – at the top of the Drive Section. So, when the ship separates and the lower part with the engines goes into battle (which they did, like, twice), the battle bridge is still exposed. The _Tech Manual_ says this facilitates a total replacement of bridge modules, which also explains why we saw different bridge sets when visiting the same class of starship. Oh, and we did see some 22nd century TV in _Star Trek V_, but it was on Nimbus III, so it might’ve been a Klingon or Romulan network (though the guy on the screen looked like a human car salesman, IIRC). ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/22 "2003-02-13T23:33:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Malacandra \* > \*\*Exceptions (from TOS) include: > > SNIP > and probably some others I can’t call to mind right now. > > Obviously, funny humanoids are easier to cast 🙂 \*\* * * * And don’t forget TNG’s tiny sentient beings who said we humans were “ug-lee bags of most-ly wa-ter!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Daniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/23 "2003-02-13T23:44:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baldwin \* > \*\*Was there ever any follow-up to that episode in TNG where the Federation imposed a Warp 5 speed limit on vessels because it appeared that warp travel was actually damaging “the fabric of space-time”? Probably not. > \*\* Ooh, but what’s worse is the very first episode of DS9 established that every time a ship went through the wormhole, it disrupted the entire reality of the beings living inside it. Possibly this was quite dangerous. But at the end of that episode they just ignored that completely and said, “they’re letting us go through anyway.” One of the early DS9 novels suggested that they agreed to put some hardware on the shuttle engines that would protect the wormhole beings; it’s too impractial an idea to have been the solution they arrived at in such short notice, _but at least it was something!!_ ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/24 "2003-02-14T03:06:41Z")
NCC 1701 (No A,B,C or bloody D) was sometimes far enough away that it took a while to communicate with Star Fleet. Amok Time is an example. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/25 "2003-02-14T05:21:59Z")
A physics grad student I once knew theorized that some sort of particles circulated out of one nacelle, around the front of the saucer, and into the other nacelle. This created a spacewarp effect similar to a rotating singularity without needing the huge mass of a black hole. Thus, the saucer and nacelle configuration is vital to the whole system. This guy was totally pissed off at the idea of the 1- and 3-nacelle ships in Franz Joseph’s original Technical Manual, since they didn’t work with his theory. Of course, this doesn’t explain all the different configurations seen outside of Starfleet, but I’ve always liked his explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/26 "2003-02-14T12:18:24Z")
As a former trekkie I advise against getting into Star Trek unless you truly don’t give a rat’s rear about continuity or any kind of technical accuracy. If you want those things I suggest Babylon-5. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/27 "2003-02-14T12:26:04Z")
I think Gene Roddenberry was fairly adamant about warp nacelles coming in pairs. You see a few four-engined ships, but none (clearly) with an odd number. AFAIR, the impulse engines are at the back of the saucer section, at least in the original design, and do have some sort of vents, so presumably there is some exhaust … supposed to be some sort of deuterium fusion drive, isn’t it? I guess the exhaust just doesn’t show up in the visible spectrum (something to do with the special effects budget…) ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/28 "2003-02-14T12:49:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Steve Wright \* > **I think Gene Roddenberry was fairly adamant about warp nacelles coming in pairs. You see a few four-engined ships, but none (clearly) with an odd number.** So the “Future Enterprise-D” from the NextGen series finale “All Good Things” wouldn’t have gotten The Great Bird’s stamp of approval? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/29 "2003-02-14T13:31:12Z")
Non-humanoid sentients: The Trill symbionts The Crystalline Entity (we’re all guessing that it was sentient) The shapeshifter in The Dauphin The living ship (Gomtu?) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/30 "2003-02-14T13:36:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sock Munkey \* > \*\*A truly don’t give a rat’s rear about continuity or any kind of technical accuracy. \*\* Now, now. Remember Deep Space Nine for the former and everyone can travel faster than light for the later. ^:)^ ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/31 "2003-02-14T13:48:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jayjay \* > \*\*The Next Gen episode “The Chase” tries to explain the similarity of body plan between the alien species as the result of a “creator race” seeding the galaxy with similar DNA. It doesn’t work that well on a logical level (when did evolution gain an end point to work toward?), but they at least try to explain it. The real reason, of course, is budget. \*\* There was also an episode of the original series where Kirk and them found “Adam and Eve,” two glowing orbs that claimed they created all life in the universe (or at least, sentient life, I don’t really remember). This kind of helps with the explaination as to why 99.9% of all alien races look humanoid. Of course, “It’s just a t.v. show with a limited budget” is probably a better explaination. I do recall and episode of the cartoon where there was a shape changing alien who’s natural form looked something like a five foot tall squid. It had the hots for the nurse (but then again, who didn’t?). And they also had that strange orange skinned alien guy with four legs, but he was still humanoid for the most part. Come to think of it, I don’t know if he ever spoke… ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/32 "2003-02-14T13:52:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > Accoring to Okuda, the warp nacelles have to be somewhat separated from the ship proper in order for the ship not to be affected in strange ways. Seems like a funny way to explain it. Well I don’t think it’s _that_ contrived. They have remained more or less consistent with this fact, at least. Almost all of the mainstream space vessels have nacelles that are extended from the main body of the craft (even if only a little, à la Runabouts). One notable exception is the Borg. I always figured the Borg don’t mind if their drones get their atoms rearranged by frequent exposure to warp fields. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/33 "2003-02-14T16:09:54Z")
[Geek]Did the borg used warp conduits instead of warp drive or in addition to warp drive?[/Geek] ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/34 "2003-02-14T16:47:07Z")
Actually, that’s _trans_warp conduits, and yes, in addition to conventional warp drive. (I was going to post more on this topic, but honestly I’m too tired…) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/35 "2003-02-14T16:59:44Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by athelas \* > \*\* > -Why is the original Enterprise (1701) of that design? It takes a long walk to get to the warp nacelles, and the semi-cylinder-like part seems to just present a larger target._\* It always struck me as being an EASY way to design a ship. If you assume that the Enterprise needs basically three sections: - The place where people sleep and live and do scientific experiments - The engine - The warp nacelles The having them sort of separated is a convenient way to design and construct a ship. There’s no particular reason why it shuld be all one big blob. The turbolifts seem pretty fast. Also, don’t rule out the issue of looks. This is a mostly human-designed ship. Humans like pretty ships. > [@](#): > > Where are the emissions from the impulse reactors? (propellants have to go somewhere…) In space, rocket engines of all sorts generally don’t leave visible traces as they fly through space. > [@](#): > > When two ships meet, why are they always facing the same direction? (i.e. both ships’ “up” is the same direction) Easier on the audience. It’s easier to visualize. Technically, the “galactic axis” thing would explain everything except why you don’t get a ship 180 degree upside down. The galactic axis has a horizontal plane of reference, but no distinction between up or down. > [@](#): > > -Why is the bridge in such a vulnerable spot? There’s no good reason for this at all. -When ship A fights ship B, why doesn’t ship A just calculate ship B’s shield frequency so that it can penetrate it? > [@](#): > > -When an alien is being translated with the UT, why does its face still look like it’s speaking English? Budget! > [@](#): > > Why is there no television? Actually, there probably is, but the reason you don’t see it is the same reason you don’t see the washing machines; it would be boring. It’s not the show’s point. > [@](#): > > Why can communicatons travel instantaneously? I’m always trying to see if there’s a lag time, but at distances like ST, there should be years before they arrive. Maybe they employed Bell’s theorem. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/36 "2003-02-15T06:49:42Z")
Most everything I can think of replying to has already been answered in one form or another so I’m going to have to drag out the really pedantic Trekishness… there can’t be a Trek post without at least one post in it by me. I won’t allow it. 🙂 > [@](#): > > Why is the original Enterprise (1701) of that design? It takes a long walk to get to the warp nacelles, and the semi-cylinder-like part seems to just present a larger target. I can’t tell you the engineering reasons behind its design since there is none but I can tell you that Gene Roddenberry specifically asked for a spaceship that combined the cigar and saucer shaped UFOs that people kept ‘spotting’ at the time. Matt Jeffries came up with all sorts of designs and the Great Bird picked one but had some qualms about its design… he thought it looked a little weird so he flipped it upside down and _voila_, you have the USS Yorktown! Soon to be known as the Enterprise, of course. 🙂 > [@](#): > > Where are the emissions from the impulse reactors? Roddenberry specifically did not want Flash Gordon like lightning trails across space. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/37 "2003-02-15T07:01:01Z")
> [@](#): > > There’s no particular reason why it shuld be all one big blob. Sure there is… to maximize interior volume while minimizing exterior surface area. ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/38 "2003-02-15T07:21:06Z")
Then it should be a sphere, and not a blob. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/39 "2003-02-15T07:23:33Z")
DY-100 Class ships had a spheroid main hull. That count? ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847/40 "2003-02-15T07:36:37Z")
It’s a start. Idealy though, you need something like the Borg Sphere from _First Contact_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbie-questions-about-star-trek/154847.md?page=3)