What powers the saucer section?

[tim0122]

I've watched the show for years, but I'm going through the whole series right now. A thought came to me. What powers the saucer section when it's separated from the starboard section? Engineering and the engine is in starboard. So, starboard can be powered by that. But is there a secondary, smaller engine for the saucer? If so, would there be a secondary engine room somewhere in the saucer section? If it does have its own engine for seperation purposes, would it have as much power as the main engine? Would it have to recharge (or whatever) more often? Can the saucer go to warp on its own?

 

[Dukhat]

The two glowy bits on either side of the rear of the saucer are the impulse engines. The saucer cannot go to warp.

 

[Hawku]

Could be the fusion reactors.

 

[F. King Daniel]

The hamster.

 

[Finn]

Don't forgot the plot of the week too

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

I've watched the show for years, but I'm going through the whole series right now. A thought came to me. What powers the saucer section when it's separated from the starboard section? Engineering and the engine is in starboard. So, starboard can be powered by that. But is there a secondary, smaller engine for the saucer? If so, would there be a secondary engine room somewhere in the saucer section? If it does have its own engine for seperation purposes, would it have as much power as the main engine? Would it have to recharge (or whatever) more often? Can the saucer go to warp on its own?

Same thing that powers the impulse engines: nuclear fusion reactors.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Positive Waves

 

[Firebird]

Could be the fusion reactors.

Yup, there are auxiliary fusion reactors located on Deck 11 of the Galaxy class.

Positive Waves

 

[Qonundrum]

It's technically the arboretum according to some blueprints, but the two series of squares beyond the main shuttlebay that glow blue could be argued* as a miniature warp drive's exhaust vent, because as far back as early TOS, no warp drive means you're effectively stranded or, even better, popping the top and let the saucer sit there while the main stardrive goes to pew-pew elsewhere otherwise makes said saucer a sitting duck. It's that, or if they get everyone to stand under this area, bend over, then eat some beans, you might get enough thrust to move the saucer two inches.

* how many fans, over the decades, have been so passionate in doing so?​

Also, when the ship visited planet Fidoseous Boneypickersus IX to chase away the invading dog catchers, they separated and the episode then became an exciting three-parter, and here's a screencap teaser:

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

I think basically everyone who gave a proper answer is right this time: the saucer is powered by the fusion reactors in the two impulse engines and it can sustain a warp bubble for a couple of minutes but not create one.

All the people who gave joke answers got it wrong and earn no points on the test.

 

[Nerys Myk]

 

[somebuddyX]

There's the Earl Grey Tea reactor that powers the cup section and the saucer section.

 

[Qonundrum]

I think basically everyone who gave a proper answer is right this time: the saucer is powered by the fusion reactors in the two impulse engines and it can sustain a warp bubble for a couple of minutes but not create one.

All the people who gave joke answers got it wrong and earn no points on the test.

Can I have a brownie point for at least starting off with a serious answer idea, before going into Lalasillyland?

Minutes if not seconds, the impulse engines could only go so far. What about inertia, though I'm forgetting something simple as the warp bubble has to be created and sustained. Once the bubble pops, the ship slows down and the innards are protected by inertial dampers or else they'd be turned into pudding plops...

 

[Forbin]

I've watched the show for years, but I'm going through the whole series right now. A thought came to me. What powers the saucer section when it's separated from the starboard section? Engineering and the engine is in starboard. So, starboard can be powered by that. But is there a secondary, smaller engine for the saucer? If so, would there be a secondary engine room somewhere in the saucer section? If it does have its own engine for seperation purposes, would it have as much power as the main engine? Would it have to recharge (or whatever) more often? Can the saucer go to warp on its own?

Starboard? "Starboard" means the right-hand side of the ship, the opposite of the left, or "port" side. I'm sure you mean to say the "star drive" section.

 

[Paul Weaver]

Starboard, from Steer Board, the traditional side the steering board was on. You pulled up along side Port on the other side so the steering board didn't get damaged.

When we've seen the D docked I think it was on the left side of the neck, following naval tradition.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

There's the Earl Grey Tea reactor that powers the cup section and the saucer section.

The Star Wreck book series by Leah Rewolinski also called it the Cup & saucer section

 

[CoveTom]

It's powered by sheer willpower.

 

[TalkaboutTrek]

I love that this thread made me pull out and start referencing my old TNG Technical Manual. Made me remember why I loved it so much as a kid.

 

[Tomalak]

Can I have a brownie point for at least starting off with a serious answer idea, before going into Lalasillyland?

Minutes if not seconds, the impulse engines could only go so far. What about inertia, though I'm forgetting something simple as the warp bubble has to be created and sustained. Once the bubble pops, the ship slows down and the innards are protected by inertial dampers or else they'd be turned into pudding plops...

Encounter at Farpoint suggests the Saucer can sustain warp for hours, even if at gradually decreasing velocities. Otherwise it would have taken years for them to catch up and arrive at Farpoint.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Encounter at Farpoint suggests the Saucer can sustain warp for hours, even if at gradually decreasing velocities. Otherwise it would have taken years for them to catch up and arrive at Farpoint.

But it comes at a terrible cost: the ship's hamster usually doesn't survive.