posted
I can't understand how starships do this. The only ship that I can recall with vents facing forward is the Intrepid Class. I don't see how any class can go backwards on impulse power. And there don't seem to be any backwards or forward facing RCS Thrusters either on most classes.
Can we come up with any explanation for this, or does everybody know something that I don't.
------------------ A-"Dippidy Doo." Q-"What forms on your dippity early in the morning?"--Johnny Carson
posted
Well, a theory could be that if done at warp - the 'warp' bubble could be stressed in the forward direction creating a relativistic compression in the forward direction, thus creating a warp effect in the reverse direction. Although I'm sure the warpfield geometry - especially on Federation starships - with primary and secondary hulls as they are would only allow small displacements since warp field integrity would fail at an exponential rate.
Thus it is theorised that ships of the Klingon empire have no NEED for a reverse! - thus their ship evolution has provided a rear heavy configuration - effectively nullifying any chance of a reverse compression/expansion warp field.
Cardassian design on the other hand has lent itself to being the antithesis of Klingon design - where maneuvrabily in either direction is available. Without wanting to be stereotypical, this belies an inherent nature underlying Cardassian nature.
Also the presence of a concentration of pulse-wave disruptor of equal magnitude on both fore and aft planes, has led to the Cardassian 'flee' theory. Klingon disruptors on the other-hand have a long held tradition of being most powerful in the forward direction. This also melds with the Klingon nature - of charging head-long into battle with weapons at full.
(note: this tactic was to both the UFP and KE's advantage in the recent Operation: Return.)
-*end LCARS file 58214-70641b: Reverse tactics in relation to Alpha Quadrant starship designs.*-
posted
Probably not, but it wasn't all that manoevrable, too, when you think about it, so that makes sense.
------------------ Elim Garak: "Oh, it's just Garak. Plain, simple Garak. Now, good day to you, Doctor. I'm so glad to have made such an... interesting new friend today." (DS9: "Past Prologue")
posted
I have a thought. What if the navigational deflector array (nda) is used? I'm not an expert on starships, but what if the nda sends a pulse forward and force fields are used so that the pulse hits it and causes the ship to go in reverse. Since the force field doesn't move, it causes the ship to go backwards. Of course physics isn't my strong point either so I hope you kind of understand what I'm talking about.
------------------ "Let's make sure that history never forgets the name...Enterprise." Federation Starship Datalink - Yet another site based on the popularity of starships.
posted
Um...I'm lost. What's supposed to be pushing against something? The impulse engines work via Newton. Equal and opposite reactions, etc. You don't need anything to push against. The forcefields would simply act as vents to get the engines pointing in directions they could not otherwise.
------------------ "Recombination, then Viacom; Safeway." -- Soul Coughing
posted
*abuses his powers as moderator to erase any evidence that his grasp on the concept of inertia is anything but perfect*
------------------ "Maybe they're trying to breed them..." -guy in my math class, suggesting a reason for there being two overhead projectors in the classroom
posted
Hey, you deleted a whole bunch of stuff! For the record, TSN forgot about physics and such. So there!
------------------ Frank's Home Page "Yes, I routinely run any car with Canadian plates off the road. It makes it easier to yank them out, blind them, and put them to work in my underground salt mine." - Simon Sizer
posted
I have a question... Would the forcefields be sufficient to redirect the thrust or wouldn't that be a waste of efficent energy?
*notices above sig and plans to avoid the west coast U.S. for a while*
------------------ Elim Garak: "Oh, it's just Garak. Plain, simple Garak. Now, good day to you, Doctor. I'm so glad to have made such an... interesting new friend today." (DS9: "Past Prologue")
[This message has been edited by Elim Garak (edited September 19, 1999).]
posted
Theoretically, you could move the ship backward by creating a non-static forcefield (i.e. a wave) with the navigational deflector. The reflection on the surface should result in a propulsive effect. I'm currently thinking if one can even use a satellite uplink dish for propulsion
BTW, I remember Kirk issues the order "take us out, one quarter impulse" in two movies. Apart from 1/4 impulse being a bit too fast for a spacedock, the ship is shown moving backward.
------------------ *Obscure humorous pretentious Gaelic-Latin signature* Ex Asterige Scientia
What's supposed to be pushing against something? The impulse engines work via Newton. Equal and opposite reactions, etc. You don't need anything to push against. The forcefields would simply act as vents to get the engines pointing in directions they could not otherwise. 
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