NX-01 navigation console concept illustrations & finished photos

[jefferiestubes8]

the navigation console of the NX-01 & Jon Eaves concept illustrations & set construction photos

http://johneaves.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/the-navigation-console-of-the-nx-01/

 

[ChristopherPike]

Fantastic stuff. I've bookmarked this and Drex Files too, visiting everyday or so.

Just the other day, they uploaded images of the ENT Romulan Warbird. Another time, that strange race done in CG for Silent Enemy. You get to hear about how the designers feel about their work. What they might've done differently and the compromises made to meet the approval of the Producers.

These blogs are an envaluable read... by, let's face it... guys who had the best job in the world working on and shaping Star Trek.

 

[Skywalker]

While I prefer just one helmsman/navigator (I never really got why they needed to be split), I do think ENT should have had both, just to maintain continuity with TOS.

Very cool designs, though. Thanks for the link.

 

[Sharkey]

Fantastic stuff. I've bookmarked this and These blogs are an envaluable read... by, let's face it... guys who had the best job in the world working on and shaping Star Trek.

And the worst job, when the fans eviscerate them anonymously and ignorantly on the internet, as they did when the first, unflattering, top-down image of the NX-01 was published. I would like to hear Mr. Eaves and Mr. Drexler discuss how they felt about that.

 

[Karnbeln]

While I prefer just one helmsman/navigator (I never really got why they needed to be split), I do think ENT should have had both, just to maintain continuity with TOS.

Very cool designs, though. Thanks for the link.

An explanation I've heard is that early warp ships launched with just one person doing both jobs like in ENT, but the difficulties involved in both flying the ship and calculating the course at the same time led to the position being split into two separate jobs fairly quickly. That Travis was able to do everything at once so well is a testament to his flying ability. Later, as technology progressed, the piloting process became more automated, allowing the task to be reduced to one officer once more by the time of the Enterprise-D.

Also, it is worth remembering that the navigator doubled as the tactical officer in the TOS era.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Actually, helm did (Sulu fired Phasers).

That's a cool site, I've never seen it before. I think the bridge is one of the best things about the show, so this is really interesting.

 

[Timo]

I do think ENT should have had both, just to maintain continuity with TOS.

Could be ENT had one helmsman, and sixteen navigators who just plain didn't fit behind a bridge console. They had a whole separate map room to themselves, and Mayweather relied on their expertise to steer.

Later on, technology evolved, and Chekov didn't need sixteen people in a map room to back him up. All he needed was one powerful computer. Or then he did have that map room, but certain basic navigation jobs could now be performed "on the spot" on the bridge.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Alidar Jarok]

That's partly the way I look at it. For long trips, they have other people to assist in navigation. On the fly, Travis would have to adjust relying on his expertise as a pilot in space, but when they had time, unseen people would help.

 

[Skywalker]

Could be, but I don't like making up excuses for Trek producers.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

OK, enjoy James R. Kirk then. Rationalizing what the producers have done is a time-honored tradition. At least in this case it's not like it was ever said that Travis didn't have help. At the very least, T'Pol could have helped him, since she has the Vulcan star charts, plus she did things like track other ships' warp signatures.