Why wasn't voyager at warp 9 100% of the time?
- Thread starter ZeNd
- Start date
Crappy writing.
This should be in the VOY forum, I'm sure a Mod will move it soon enough.
In answer to your question, although Voyager had a stable cruising velocity of warp 9.975 it still had the problem of dilithium crystals. Since they had no idea when or if they could get a new supply they stayed cruising at warp 6 unless there was an emergency.
The truth of the matter is that Janeway wanted to explore the DQ, hence the mid-warp speed she kept the ship at. It's called speed of plot.
In answer to your question, although Voyager had a stable cruising velocity of warp 9.975 it still had the problem of dilithium crystals. Since they had no idea when or if they could get a new supply they stayed cruising at warp 6 unless there was an emergency.
The truth of the matter is that Janeway wanted to explore the DQ, hence the mid-warp speed she kept the ship at. It's called speed of plot.
Because it can't sustain Warp 9 for ~70 years. Since they were 70 or so years away from Earth, stopping every now and then to explore, or study really wasn't going to hurt their ETA. Plus they would need to stop every now and then for repair, finding fuel, trading for supplies. Things like that.
Yeah, the ship wouldn't be able to sustain upwards of Warp 9 for too long a time -- in addition to needing to refuel, the engines would probably overheat. You might be able to go well over 100 mph in your car, but that doesn't mean you can remain at that velocity for very long without any problems.
Makes sense to me!
You must drive a GM.
Additionally, Janeway seemed to want to do as much exploration as reasonably possible, ostensibly for the purpose of finding a shortcut.
You must drive a GM.
A GM can get up to 100 mph?
^This.
It drove me into an incoherent rage every time the show opened with them cruising along at impulse. They didn't have to be doing flank speed all the time, but, holy crap, at least open the show with them buzzing along at W6 to let us know the writers had SOME clue about the overall theme of the show!
Plus if you cane your car about everywhere it needs servicing a lot more often, and parts have a much shorter life.
Voyager needed to keep its "servicing" requirements to a minimum.
I had forgotten about that. Besides the TNG episode where it was introduced was the warp problem ever mentioned again? Did Voyager mention it or is the eco-friendliness from an after market product?
While speeding along who knows what opportunities they may miss? Wormholes, advanced civilizations, etc, any of which could possibly zip them home faster. That's why they took time to study and explore. Also, increased speed is an increased power drain. It affects other systems by reducing their available output. Why else would they need to transfer power in a firefight? It's an ongoing power balance depending on which systems you want to prioritize. And frankly there must have been a lot of repair, replicator work and shuttle building going on! And of course, making coffee.
Even the Enterprise-D incurred some engine damage zipping along at Warp 9 for an extended period of time in "The Chase." For many ships, Warp 6 might be the top speed a ship can maintain without eventually burning out the engines.
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