Impulse use within warp travel

[drt]

Most of the time it was implied in TOS that the warp drive was the main means of propulsion for any travel speed, with impulse as a backup - which fits in with Timo's observation from Obsession (where Scotty seemed to think the impulse drive wouldn't be needed at all). I'd say that some writers confused it with a secondary or emergency power source. Although, I suppose it could be argued that the impulse reactors could be used to power other ship functions such these situations, freeing up more warp engine power for propulsion.

 

[Timo]

TOS could be argued to defend the division into two completely different propulsion regimes, too. It just makes an even sharper distinction between warp and impulse: warp is how the ship moves around, and impulse is what the ship does when completely crippled, incapable of combat maneuvering and two steps short of destruction. Which makes great sense, as the difference between sublight through advanced rocketry and faster-than-light through magic is immense.

It's easy to see where the TNG interpretations are coming from if one watches the likes of "Elaan of Troyius"... But TNG seems to have made impulse a somewhat more viable propulsion method, perhaps because warp drive in that era is so much more expensive (in terms of visual effects, that is!).

Timo Saloniemi