# Star Trek Tech Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889 "2009-12-19T21:26:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/141 "2009-12-29T01:17:53Z")
Alternate timelines are hardly uncommon in Star Trek. It’s obvious they go for the whole multiverse approach (see _Parallels_) and they play fast and loose with the rules dependent on what they wish to do. In this case, they don’t want to invalidate 40+ years of history, so it’s just a new timeline, just like the Mirror Universe. > **[Alternate timeline](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Alternate_timeline)** > > Alternate timelines were altered versions of the timeline. Unlike parallel universes, alternate timelines often did not seem to diverge from the universe, but instead rewrote history to the point of wiping out the original timeline. However,... > **[Parallel universe](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Parallel_universe)** > > A parallel universe, also called a parallel reality or alternate universe, is a self-contained universe running concurrently with the prime reality. (VOY: "Deadlock", "Flashback") There are different types of parallel universes. Some are separate... ---
**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:** [December 29, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/142 "2009-12-29T01:52:23Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > so it’s just a new timeline, just like the Mirror Universe. Hmmm…those Star Trek 90210 kids are to young to grow beards…I’m just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/143 "2009-12-29T18:34:22Z")
**Lemur866** , how do you account for the civilian merchants like Cyrano Jones? What are they trading for? Anything they want, they can replicate. So why head out into space, which is dangerous, and try trading tribbles to/with Klingons? ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/144 "2009-12-29T21:08:32Z")
I didn’t see a thread devoted to the new movie. If there is one, I’d appreciate a link but I’m going to ask here anyhow. I just watched the new movie yesterday. Did I, or did I not see the shipyard where 1701 was under construction, in Iowa, on Earth? Maybe I was hallucinating and should rewatch, but I swear that is what I saw. Now, I remember watching episodes of ST when they were originally aired. I’ve seen all the movies, but I’ve skipped a lot of the ancillary spin-offs so maybe I missed it, or maybe I just assumed, but I thought 300 meter long starships were built in orbit? Like I mentioned, I grew up with ST so my belief is pretty will suspended from the opening title until the ending credits, but that random, useless inclusion took me right out and keep me out for several minutes. Why would Abrams do that? ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/145 "2009-12-29T21:42:51Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > I didn’t see a thread devoted to the new movie. If there is one, I’d appreciate a link but I’m going to ask here anyhow. I just watched the new movie yesterday. Did I, or did I not see the shipyard where 1701 was under construction, in Iowa, on Earth? Maybe I was hallucinating and should rewatch, but I swear that is what I saw. Now, I remember watching episodes of ST when they were originally aired. I’ve seen all the movies, but I’ve skipped a lot of the ancillary spin-offs so maybe I missed it, or maybe I just assumed, but I thought 300 meter long starships were built in orbit? Like I mentioned, I grew up with ST so my belief is pretty will suspended from the opening title until the ending credits, but that random, useless inclusion took me right out and keep me out for several minutes. Why would Abrams do that? That seemed like a pointless addition to the movie to me as well. The starships in Start Trek, for the most part, don’t look like they would fare well at all in an atmosphere and gravity environment like Earth. That’s just me though. ---
**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:** [December 29, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/146 "2009-12-29T21:55:41Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > That seemed like a pointless addition to the movie to me as well. The starships in Start Trek, for the most part, don’t look like they would fare well at all in an atmosphere and gravity environment like Earth. That’s just me though. _Enterprise_ got low enough in _Tomorrow is Yesterday_ that the pilot of an F-104 could eyeball her. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/147 "2009-12-29T22:01:04Z")
Voyager landed on a planet. When you think about it, a ship that can handle space at high impulse and warp speeds really should have no problem with a measly gravity. Plus, they have magic propulsion, so it’s not like it costs anything to lift the ship off the planet. It’s probably also easier for construction crews before the artificial gravity and life support are up and running. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/148 "2009-12-29T22:13:29Z")
They have also shown a remarkable control of gravity and inertia, in Star Trek’s future. (And they use force field technology to support physical load bearing structure, which is what I assume an “structural integrity field” is.) If we assume that there are sufficient redundant systems and power reserves, I bet there are some pretty impossible seeming architecure on Earth those days. At least, until the Whale-probe shows up… ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/149 "2009-12-29T23:28:34Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Enterprise got low enough in Tomorrow is Yesterday that the pilot of an F-104 could eyeball her. Enjoy the picture. [![](http://deg3d.biz/posts/deg3D_TOS.5_E_WTTIIB_1956.jpg) ](http://deg3d.biz/posts/deg3D_TOS.5_E_WTTIIB_1956.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/150 "2009-12-30T04:15:40Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Turns out that Starfleet officers are horrible marksmen. But such _delicious_ [targets.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_%28character%29) Tripler Ooh, but I’m still waiting to see **elanorrigby** and **carnivorousplant** go at it with phasers at ten paces. 😃 ---
**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:** [December 30, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/151 "2009-12-30T04:26:52Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > But such _delicious_ [targets.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_%28character%29) > > Tripler > Ooh, but I’m still waiting to see **elanorrigby** and **carnivorousplant** go at it with phasers at ten paces. 😃 Phasers at five parsecs, or brick bats at half a mile. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/152 "2009-12-30T12:56:47Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Phasers at five parsecs, or brick bats at half a mile. Can’t we fight the Vulcan way, like true warriors? Lirpas, baby, LIRPAS! Watched the first episode of TNG last night. I know it must get better. 😕 I remember enjoying bits of the show throughout the years… And #1 sans beard looks too much like John Stamos --and that is not a good thing AT ALL. Also, I didn’t realize the doctor was as annoying as all that. I think I used to like her. But Wesley, bless his heart, never changes. (although I note that he stole one of Bill Cosby’s sweaters for the premier show). ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/153 "2009-12-30T18:51:30Z")
If I were you I’d skip to the start of series 2 - season one wasn’t very good and also wasn’t particularly characteristic of the rest of the show either. ---
**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:** [December 30, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/154 "2009-12-30T20:14:33Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Can’t we fight the Vulcan way, like true warriors? Lirpas, baby, LIRPAS! OK fine, lirpas at 500 meters. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/155 "2009-12-30T22:53:11Z")
> [@Illuminatiprimus](#): > > If I were you I’d skip to the start of series 2 - season one wasn’t very good and also wasn’t particularly characteristic of the rest of the show either. The second season was even worse. TNG does not get good until the third season. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/156 "2009-12-30T23:00:03Z")
When Riker grows the beard, you know shit just got real. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/157 "2009-12-30T23:08:54Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > When Riker grows the beard, you know shit just got real. Why did he grow that stupid beard, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/158 "2009-12-30T23:17:11Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Why did he grow that stupid beard, anyway? [To make the show better](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GrowingTheBeard). ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/159 "2009-12-30T23:28:04Z")
The serious answer is that he grew it between seasons, and the producers liked it, so they asked him to keep it. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889/160 "2009-12-31T00:32:03Z")
Troi was not a fan though and thought it was gross in Insurrection. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-tech-questions/521889.md?page=9)