Saucer Separation wasn't a good idea

[Shamrock Holmes]

What does the TNG technical manual say about it?

 

[JoseNoodles]

Real life question: why couldn't the smaller model separate? From the various articles I have read it seems that they did not use separation in later episodes because it did not have this ability.

To my knowledge, the separation mechanic was unique to the six foot model. The four foot and two foot models were not built to have saucer separation. Still would like to know in-universe if the saucer section had warp drive.

 

[JamesRye]

To my knowledge, the separation mechanic was unique to the six foot model. The four foot and two foot models were not built to have saucer separation. Still would like to in-universe if the saucer section had warp drive.

According to the "Star Trek: The Next Generation Writers' Technical Manual, Fourth Season Edition" by Rick Sternbach and Mike Okuda, the saucer has no warp capability. So separating at warp means that the stardrive section must slow down to allow the saucer to 'pull away".

"When separated from the battle section (which contains the warp drive), the Saucer section is incapable of warp speed. The saucer section does have its own set of impulse engines for slower-than-light travel, and it has a complete set of deflector shields and phaser banks. When separation occurs at warp speed, the residual warp fields can take several minutes to fully collapse, so the primary hull can "coast" for some distance before it goes sublight. Control of the saucer section is managed from the main bridge."

 

[Skipper]

According to the "Star Trek: The Next Generation Writers' Technical Manual, Fourth Season Edition" by Rick Sternbach and Mike Okuda, the saucer has no warp capability. So separating at warp means that the stardrive section must slow down to allow the saucer to 'pull away".

"When separated from the battle section (which contains the warp drive), the Saucer section is incapable of warp speed. The saucer section does have its own set of impulse engines for slower-than-light travel, and it has a complete set of deflector shields and phaser banks. When separation occurs at warp speed, the residual warp fields can take several minutes to fully collapse, so the primary hull can "coast" for some distance before it goes sublight. Control of the saucer section is managed from the main bridge."

So, in-universe it should be considered a little more than a big lifeboat (because, really, how long the saucer could survive in a battle) ?

 

[JoseNoodles]

So, in-universe it should be considered a little more than a big lifeboat (because, really, how long the saucer could survive in a battle) ?

And I already have a problem with standard lifeboats as depicted in Star Trek, since they have no warp drive and I'm not sure if they even have impulse drive. They're small and seem to operate on the assumption that the people inside will be rescued shortly from whatever planet or region of space the pod ends up in. In the empty vastness of space, that seems like a big assumption.

 

[DonIago]

^Beats death by warp core breach.

Which, whether or not saucer separation generally made much sense, was a literal lifesaver in GEN. I'd argue that all by itself demonstrated that the ability to do so was a good idea.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

We've seen plenty of examples of people being saved from lifepods or them making their way to planets, so they're apparently doing their job. Somehow.

 

[The Knappos]

^Beats death by warp core breach.

Which, whether or not saucer separation generally made much sense, was a literal lifesaver in GEN. I'd argue that all by itself demonstrated that the ability to do so was a good idea.

I’d rather vapourise instantly than die of thirst

 

[Skipper]

And I already have a problem with standard lifeboats as depicted in Star Trek, since they have no warp drive and I'm not sure if they even have impulse drive. They're small and seem to operate on the assumption that the people inside will be rescued shortly from whatever planet or region of space the pod ends up in. In the empty vastness of space, that seems like a big assumption.

According to the TNG Technical Manual, they have at least impulse engines

 

[DonIago]

I’d rather vapourise instantly than die of thirst

If you're in a lifeboat that survives the warp core breach and you're facing the possibility of dying of thirst, you likely have other options available to you. For instance, lifeboats presumably come with at least one phaser.

 

[publiusr]

I wish the nacelles had more detail there--less blank

 

[Legate Duhmar]

We've seen plenty of examples of people being saved from lifepods or them making their way to planets, so they're apparently doing their job. Somehow.

Escaping in a shuttle seems ideal, just replicate yourself hamburgers and Romulan ale ad infinitum and sit on the space couch.

 

[Orphalesion]

And I already have a problem with standard lifeboats as depicted in Star Trek, since they have no warp drive and I'm not sure if they even have impulse drive. They're small and seem to operate on the assumption that the people inside will be rescued shortly from whatever planet or region of space the pod ends up in. In the empty vastness of space, that seems like a big assumption.

Doesn't a ship usually send out a distress beacon before it explodes? Plus space tends to be fairly busy in Star Trek.

 

[JoseNoodles]

Doesn't a ship usually send out a distress beacon before it explodes? Plus space tends to be fairly busy in Star Trek.

Yeah, it puts the fiction in science-fiction.

 

[David cgc]

In "The Battle," Picard says the survivors of the Stargazer were drifting in space for "weeks" before they were rescued.

 

[Orphalesion]

In "The Battle," Picard says the survivors of the Stargazer were drifting in space for "weeks" before they were rescued.

Weeks is still pretty good considering they're in space. Plus that also means those "life boats" have a way to keep people alive for weeks.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Weeks is still pretty good considering they're in space. Plus that also means those "life boats" have a way to keep people alive for weeks.

That just means the "Life Boats" were a Plan-B escape method.
Plan-A was always to have the civilians and the majority of the crew to get to the Saucer section and seperate to survive, away from the battle.

Obviously those plans changed once they stopped putting family on board StarFleet ships.

 

[Orphalesion]

Obviously those plans changed once they stopped putting family on board StarFleet ships.

Did they ever stop completely? There sure are kids on, at least, some Starships in Lower Decks.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Did they ever stop completely? There sure are kids on, at least, some Starships in Lower Decks.

Hopefully that is more a older teenager situation like Wesley Crusher situation and not an entire elementary school on board.

 

[ThankQ]

But nonessential personnel would include the three unfrozen 1990s civilians, and then the businessman couldn't have called the Romulans on their BS. Also, Data wouldn't have been offered a place on a tour.

Was someone trying to swim in my soup?