Poll: Star Trek question

[Belvadier]

Always been a huge Star Trek fan and now that almost every series is out for instant watch on Netflix I have begun binge-watching them in order straight through and there is something i just don't really get: why don't they just travel everywhere at warp 9? I mean, it doesn't seem to take any physical toll on their engines to travel at maximum warp, nor is fuel even a part of the warp drive equation so really...why travel at warp 2 or some other arbitrary speed? I would definitely warp 9 all the time. I mean, why would I want to get there slower?

Just a thought. I'm sure that some super fan will have a legitimate answer to this, but if not...anyone else ever thought of this?

EDIT: I'm sorry I made this a poll, I did not intend to do so. I created the post on my phone and must not have noticed that I did that. Sorry.

 

[Thaluikhain]

It sounds cooler to have a variety of speeds.

Also, given the system they use, you'd expect them to use nicely rounded numbers very rarely.

Warp 6 is much more than twice warp 3, for example, and warp 1 is "only" the speed of light, for example. If you wanted to go twice as fast as Warp *nicely rounded number*, it'd end up as Warp X.*many many decimal places*.

 

[Devil's Due]

I believe in TNG there was an episode about this how going past Warp 6 started to actually damage the universe in some way with all the constant warping, so the Federation and a few other empires agreed that they would reserve Warp 6 and under for regular travel, but anything else is allowed in the event of an emergency or necessity. I forgot the name of the episode, I apologize.

By the way, it does take physical toll on their engines. You sure you've been watching Star Trek when they go into 9+ territory? Half the time they go to maximum warp, they have to end up dropping out of it or risk their engines going critical or such.

 

[Roofstone]

As Devil's due said, warp 6 or above is dangerous to the universe of which they travelled trough. Warp 9 ripped it apart if used dangerously.

It wasnt actually like that, but the developers realised the problem with needing to go to a place quickly, and just simply not going fullspeed being a bit silly without explanation.

 

[njdmb30]

Traveling at warp 9 DOES wear on the engines, they just don't mention it much in the shows. There are some episodes of TNG that make mention of only being able to hold Warp 9 for a certain amount of time before the engines shut down, much like driving a car at its max speed until the engine overheats or something breaks. (TNG "Encounter at Farpoint" and "Best of Both Worlds" come to mind) Also, they do use fuel, because the engines run on a Matter/Anti-matter reaction (the matter and anti-matter are stored in pods until used) and Dilithium Crystals. Running the engines too hard can damage the crystals and render them useless.

"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." " - Memory Alpha website (Official Trek Wiki)

 

[Hungry Donner]

Traveling at warp 9 DOES wear on the engines, they just don't mention it much in the shows. There are some episodes of TNG that make mention of only being able to hold Warp 9 for a certain amount of time before the engines shut down, much like driving a car at its max speed until the engine overheats or something breaks. (TNG "Encounter at Farpoint" and "Best of Both Worlds" come to mind) Also, they do use fuel, because the engines run on a Matter/Anti-matter reaction (the matter and anti-matter are stored in pods until used) and Dilithium Crystals. Running the engines too hard can damage the crystals and render them useless.

If I remember correctly the higher warp factors are also less fuel efficient, although I off hand I can't cite that fact.

 

[Saltyk]

I don't know all the technical bits in Star Trek, but maybe they can only generate so much energy with X amount in reserves and Warp 9 quickly drains those reserves which could leave the ship vulnerable in an extended fire fight. Or maybe it does put undue stress on the engines and could cause them to overheat or increases the risk of them breaking down. Maybe they spend 26 hours doing maintenance on the engines after traveling at Warp 9 to ensure they work properly. There could be any number of reasons either "real" or completely fake for all I know.

Of course, it might just be a way for the writers to let the audience know that the Enterprise is traveling at it's maximum speed because shit just got real. A little context clue as to how serious the situation is or how fast an object is.

 

[Belvadier]

Ha, I knew I was just dumb. Good responses everyone. I knew about the matter and antimatter reaction and the dilythium crystals powering the warp engines but it just doesn't seem like they ever become...depleted. however, the fact that traveling above warp 6 harms the universe is news to me. So why not just travel at warp 6 everywhere then?

 

[Belvadier]

Of course, it might just be a way for the writers to let the audience know that the Enterprise is traveling at it's maximum speed because shit just got real.

Haha, I definitely like this solution best.

 

[spectrenihlus]

Personally I am just upset that DS9 isnt out yet. But onto your question it is because the dilithium crystals get spent up faster then needed.

 

[njdmb30]

Ha, I knew I was just dumb. Good responses everyone. I knew about the matter and antimatter reaction and the dilythium crystals powering the warp engines but it just doesn't seem like they ever become...depleted. however, the fact that traveling above warp 6 harms the universe is news to me. So why not just travel at warp 6 everywhere then?

It's kinda like if highway speeds were limited to 40 to help not damage the roads. Nobody wants to go that slow on an open road, and people have a "let someone else worry about it" attitude. I suggest watching the TNG episode named "Force of Nature" to get the whole picture.

 

[Saltyk]

Of course, it might just be a way for the writers to let the audience know that the Enterprise is traveling at it's maximum speed because shit just got real.

Haha, I definitely like this solution best.

Thank you. I try.

 

[njdmb30]

Personally I am just upset that DS9 isnt out yet.

They're just saving the best for last

My motto about the engines and about general Trek technology is "it works flawlessly unless the plot demands otherwise".

 

[Fasckira]

While we're on the subject - TNG is the best series of the lot.

 

[spectrenihlus]

Personally I am just upset that DS9 isnt out yet.

They're just saving the best for last

My motto about the engines and about general Trek technology is "it works flawlessly unless the plot demands otherwise".

I just want to watch the best Star Trek episode ever In the Pale Moonlight!!

 

[SenorNemo]

I believe warp 6 is around cruising speed in TNG era. I imagine the only times they go slower than that are for the sake of more precise navigation.

Or because the writers felt like it. Either way.

 

[Belvadier]

Personally I am just upset that DS9 isnt out yet. But onto your question it is because the dilithium crystals get spent up faster then needed.

Ds9 is supposed to be out in the fall as far as I can tell. Then it will be all of the series available. I'm currently plowing through tng right now. I've seen almost every episode before but its been quite a while and watching them in orser and in such rapid succession only makes me appreciate them more.

 

[teebeeohh]

star trek technology is hold together by nothing but plot armor, it works unless the plot demands otherwise.

 

[Belvadier]

While we're on the subject - TNG is the best series of the lot.

Agreed but they all have their value, I think.

 

[njdmb30]

DS9 is scheduled to come out in November, for anyone who hadn't heard yet.

I hope Netflix plans to go back and fix some of the episodes they have, because I've experienced a few where the sound goes out of balance and the music sounds like a drunk two year old got to a piano.