Do they drift on forever or eventually explode? In the case of photon torp, I think they eventually lose power and the antimatter containment fails. This of course leads to an explosion. Don't know about the Quantum torps.
What happens to photon or quantum torpedoes that miss their target?
- Thread starter ConRefit79
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Re: What happens to photon or quantum torpedoes that miss their target
assuming these use their matter and anti-matter for fuel, they will stop accelerating as soon their fuel supply is exhausted. Theoretically, at this point the projectile would "go ballistic" and continue to travel along its current trajectory forever until it hits something.
However, it may also be that as the torpedo runs out of fuel, it's anti-matter containment systems fail and any remaining anti-matter annihilates the torpedo. This may even be designed as safety system, causing the torpedo to self-detonate after a certain radius. Otherwise, the Federation might end of with a sort of "land mind" problem in space.
assuming these use their matter and anti-matter for fuel, they will stop accelerating as soon their fuel supply is exhausted. Theoretically, at this point the projectile would "go ballistic" and continue to travel along its current trajectory forever until it hits something.
However, it may also be that as the torpedo runs out of fuel, it's anti-matter containment systems fail and any remaining anti-matter annihilates the torpedo. This may even be designed as safety system, causing the torpedo to self-detonate after a certain radius. Otherwise, the Federation might end of with a sort of "land mind" problem in space.
Re: What happens to photon or quantum torpedoes that miss their target
Well, assuming a torpedo doesn't explode, inertia would simply carry the torpedo on forever until it hits something and explodes.
Well, assuming a torpedo doesn't explode, inertia would simply carry the torpedo on forever until it hits something and explodes.
Re: What happens to photon or quantum torpedoes that miss their target
If the quantum torpedoes warhead was a technological device, instead of a explosive material like the photon torpedoes, the warhead might simply disable itself, the computer wipes itself, parts are melted (internal phaser) or tiny explosive charges. If you recovered one, worthless.
If the quantum torpedoes warhead was a technological device, instead of a explosive material like the photon torpedoes, the warhead might simply disable itself, the computer wipes itself, parts are melted (internal phaser) or tiny explosive charges. If you recovered one, worthless.
Re: What happens to photon or quantum torpedoes that miss their target
There was the TNG episode, "Genesis" where an unexploded torpedo missed the target and the Enterprise-D was unable to remote detonate it due to a torpedo malfunction. The dialogue indicated that it took 3 days to eventually track down the torpedo (with a shuttle) after it disappeared into an asteroid field.
I would imagine that normally a missed target would result in an automatic remote detonation.
There was the TNG episode, "Genesis" where an unexploded torpedo missed the target and the Enterprise-D was unable to remote detonate it due to a torpedo malfunction. The dialogue indicated that it took 3 days to eventually track down the torpedo (with a shuttle) after it disappeared into an asteroid field.
I would imagine that normally a missed target would result in an automatic remote detonation.
Re: What happens to photon or quantum torpedoes that miss their target
That's pretty Rubegoldbergian. Easier just to detonate it.
That's pretty Rubegoldbergian. Easier just to detonate it.
Re: What happens to photon or quantum torpedoes that miss their target
Assuming the detonation could be safely carried out. That's seldom an option with today's nukes, for example...
I gather there'd be a self-destruct mode on torpedoes, or on ejected antimatter pods or whatever, where rudimentary sensors establish to their best ability that the neighborhood is clear before a detonation is attempted. That's usually the case in space, but when it's not, it's dramatically not.
Although if a spent torpedo or antimatter pod or warp core does realize it's in decaying orbit next to an inhabited planet, there probably isn't much it can do anyway, except detonate ASAP to minimize casualties.
Timo Saloniemi
Assuming the detonation could be safely carried out. That's seldom an option with today's nukes, for example...
I gather there'd be a self-destruct mode on torpedoes, or on ejected antimatter pods or whatever, where rudimentary sensors establish to their best ability that the neighborhood is clear before a detonation is attempted. That's usually the case in space, but when it's not, it's dramatically not.
Although if a spent torpedo or antimatter pod or warp core does realize it's in decaying orbit next to an inhabited planet, there probably isn't much it can do anyway, except detonate ASAP to minimize casualties.
Timo Saloniemi
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