Aeroshuttle FX Test Video, from Foundation Imaging!

[NervousEnergy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhZ6D-PLssQ

This was a visual effects concept test to show the producers of Voyager what a launch sequence of the (as of yet) unused "Aeroshuttle" might look like. This special craft was capable of warp speeds and able to fly in a planetary atmosphere. Ultimately, the decision was made to leave the Aeroshuttle alone and introduce the Delta Flyer (this was shortly before the movie "Insurrection," which featured a launch sequence of the Captain's Yacht - the producers didn't want Voyager to "steal the thunder" of such a scene from the upcoming movie). The test was created by Voyager CGI Supervisors Rob Bonchune and Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz, under the supervision of VFX Producer Dan Curry.

02-09-2006, 03:42 AM
nx01Rob

In a nutshell, back at Foundation, we got into our heads that it would be cool to see the "captains yacht" of the Voyager, that being the Aeroshuttle. Rick Sternbach gratuitously did a prelim design and I used part of that and designed the ship you see here. Mojo and I did a whole launch sequence, on spec, meaning "free" and then had it shown to Rick Berman. The response: Mr Berman thought it was nice, but didn't want to trump the Captain's yacht launch sequence from the upcoming film "Insurrection". As you remember that was a VERY dramatic, epic and cool launch sequence........

I never expected to see this. It's absolutely gorgeous! What a shame they never used the Aeroshuttle. Would have made so much more sense than building two(!) Delta Flyers.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

And they wouldn't have had to build a new interior set, either - the plan was to use the Runabout set for the Aeroshuttle.

 

[HIjol]

For sure, that is a thing of beauty...not sure I follow Berman's logic in not using it...it was "right" coming out of Voyager, as the Yacht would be coming out of the Enterprise...and two different, yet utterly cool things...well...they didn't ask me...thanks for this...it was way cool...

 

[Christopher]

Hmm. On the one hand, it always disappointed me that they never used the Aeroshuttle, given that it was part of the ship's design from the start. I even tried to work it into one of my pitches for the show so that they'd have a reason to use it. And the reason they ultimately didn't use it -- for fear of stealing Insurrection's thunder -- was pretty darn silly.

But on the other hand, after seeing that video, I have to admit -- I think the Delta Flyer looks better. The video was well-made, to be sure, but the Aeroshuttle is kind of weird-looking, too flat and angular and slablike. It doesn't seem particularly aerodynamic -- hardly a novel complaint for Trek support craft, but since it's actually called the Aeroshuttle, it's kind of relevant in this case. And while giving it a runabout cockpit would've been a handy way to save money, the Flyer interior had more character (even though there was no possible way the aft compartment could've fit inside the ship).

 

[Destructor]

I liked the footage and wish they could have used it at least once. I don't know, given the amount of shuttle use Voyager got up to (both before and after the Flyer was introduced), you'd think Janeway would have had at least one opportunity to use the Aeroshuttle.

Not saying I didn't enjoy the Flyer, but I wouldn't have minded seeing this at least once- they had the footage, after all!

 

[Richard Baker]

Hmm. On the one hand, it always disappointed me that they never used the Aeroshuttle, given that it was part of the ship's design from the start. I even tried to work it into one of my pitches for the show so that they'd have a reason to use it. And the reason they ultimately didn't use it -- for fear of stealing Insurrection's thunder -- was pretty darn silly.

But on the other hand, after seeing that video, I have to admit -- I think the Delta Flyer looks better. The video was well-made, to be sure, but the Aeroshuttle is kind of weird-looking, too flat and angular and slablike. It doesn't seem particularly aerodynamic -- hardly a novel complaint for Trek support craft, but since it's actually called the Aeroshuttle, it's kind of relevant in this case. And while giving it a runabout cockpit would've been a handy way to save money, the Flyer interior had more character (even though there was no possible way the aft compartment could've fit inside the ship).

It does look better attached (and your minds eye creating a cool shape for the rest of it) than it does actually flying around.

 

[mos6507]

The bottom of the Space Shuttle is very flat and pancake-like, and yet it works. The top end of the Aeroshuttle doesn't look particularly aerodynamic, which in part was driven by the need to make it basically a runabout with wings so as not to have to make a new set. It would have been better to make the top part smooth like the shuttle or a lifting-body.

 

[MacLeod]

I find their reason for not using it rather poor, you could have used it after INS, and dropped a line that it was unsuitable for this occasion.

 

[Jeri]

But...would it make half as good a Christmas tree ornament as the Delta Flyer does, hm? "I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Delta Flyer; we're on a mission of peaceful exploration!"

 

[F. King Daniel]

(even though there was no possible way the aft compartment could've fit inside the ship)

Not to mention the freaking Jefferies tube it sprouted in "Collective"!

 

[daedalus5]

It seems a shame that they made the footage anyway, so why not use it? Kinda like when in TNG they used a Runabout for Timescape and then we never saw them use a Runabout again.

Argahgahgahga @ Producers!

 

[Christopher]

It seems a shame that they made the footage anyway, so why not use it?

It was test footage. I'm sure they made a lot of other VFX tests that didn't get used, as well as prototype miniatures, costumes, makeup appliances, props, etc. Not to mention all the unused takes and excess coverage during shooting. There's a lot of trial and error in filmmaking, so there's plenty of stuff that gets made and is never used. The Aeroshuttle itself was an idea they considered and ultimately rejected.

 

[Richard Baker]

It seems a shame that they made the footage anyway, so why not use it? Kinda like when in TNG they used a Runabout for Timescape and then we never saw them use a Runabout again.

Argahgahgahga @ Producers!

Worse than that, they built the Runabout's stern compartment for 'Timescape' which had never been seen before and DS-9 never made a single use of that set.

 

[Akiraprise]

It would have made sense to use the Aeroshuttle if they had kept to VOY's original premise of one ship, alone, and without support in the Delta Quadrant on it's way home. They only had a few shuttles to start with and the loss of a shuttle should have been a big deal. They should have been using the aeroshuttle on a regular basis. Once they chucked the supply shortage out the window I guess it didn't matter. A ship Voyager's size should not have been able to construct shuttlecraft. They just happen to have spare dilithium and antimatter lying around for all of these mini warp cores they are constructing?

 

[Christopher]

A ship Voyager's size should not have been able to construct shuttlecraft. They just happen to have spare dilithium and antimatter lying around for all of these mini warp cores they are constructing?

What does size have to do with it? As long as they can travel, they can find sources of raw materials, whether by mining asteroids or planets directly or trading for what they need. And as long as they have replicators, which they do, then they can easily manufacture all the parts they need out of those raw materials.

 

[cylkoth]

It seems a shame that they made the footage anyway, so why not use it? Kinda like when in TNG they used a Runabout for Timescape and then we never saw them use a Runabout again.

Argahgahgahga @ Producers!

Worse than that, they built the Runabout's stern compartment for 'Timescape' which had never been seen before and DS-9 never made a single use of that set.

Nerd alert

Never used for the Runabout rear compartment, however...

The set itself was used to depict crew quarters onboard the USS Prometheus in s2's Second Sight.

 

[pteal1979]

it was a shame they never used the aeroshuttle onscreen, and with voyagers track record of losing shuttles they couldn't afford to use it incase they lose it, which would have been a large hole on the underside of the saucer!

 

[MacLeod]

A ship Voyager's size should not have been able to construct shuttlecraft. They just happen to have spare dilithium and antimatter lying around for all of these mini warp cores they are constructing?

What does size have to do with it? As long as they can travel, they can find sources of raw materials, whether by mining asteroids or planets directly or trading for what they need. And as long as they have replicators, which they do, then they can easily manufacture all the parts they need out of those raw materials.

#

Except of course we are told very early on S1 they have no way of replacing photon torpdeo's. Which infers that they can't replicate the parts to replace a photon torpedeo surely replicating parts for something more complex like a shuttle would also be impossible.

Sure you can say it was a bad line, but the line was still there. Now aquiring parts to build one is a different thing.

 

[Christopher]

Except of course we are told very early on S1 they have no way of replacing photon torpdeo's. Which infers that they can't replicate the parts to replace a photon torpedeo surely replicating parts for something more complex like a shuttle would also be impossible.

No, it implies (it's the listener who infers) that they couldn't replace torpedoes at that particular time, perhaps because of the damage they suffered in "Caretaker." But there were other conditions that prevailed at that early stage but that fell by the wayside later on, like the use of replicator rations (which only got one anomalous mention after the second season). It stands to reason that, over time, they either repaired the damaged systems or devised ways to adapt their equipment to the needs of their situation. So it doesn't follow that something they were incapable of doing in episode 2 or 3 would've still been beyond their capabilities several seasons later.

 

[Harvey]

The dialogue in "The Cloud" doesn't read as having to do with temporary circumstances to me:

CHAKOTAY: We have a complement of thirty eight photon torpedoes at our disposal, Captain.

JANEWAY: And no way to replace them after they're gone.

You can make that rationalization to explain later episodes if you'd like, of course.

It seems to me, however, that this is just one of many premises established to heighten the drama in the first 2-3 seasons that were later abandoned without explanation (replicator rations, torpedo limits, lack of an EMH back-up, etc.).

I've never cared much for Voyager, though (especially seasons 6-7, which are the nadir of the franchise, in my opinion). YMMV.