warp drive (FASA)
An engine capable of faster-than-light speeds, warp drive was invented by a Centauran scientist named Zefram Cochrane. Some time between 2178 and 2196, the so-called "time barrier" was broken.[1] Without warp drive, destinations that were otherwise days away were, instead, years distant.[2]
Warp drive "consists of the generation of a field about a spacecraft which bends or warps space in the direction of travel. ... Since space is being moved relative to itself ... no neighboring regions exceed the speed of light. However, the total effect on the ship ... is multi-light velocities [which] ... avoids the speed constraints imposed by the theory of relativity."[3]
The so-called "time barrier," or warp factor four, was broken[1] in 2243 due to improvements in matter/antimatter engine design. This made much more energy available, allowing for more powerful warp field generators to be used.[3]
Notes and References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Template:RefTOS00
- ↑ Roddenberry, Gene (Executive Producer). "The Cage". Star Trek, season 0, episode 0 (Production number 01). Directed by Robert Butler. Written by Gene Roddenberry. Released 1986. Desilu Productions. 1965.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Maynard, Jeff (Author). Star Trek Maps. Star Trek. Book. Bantam Books. August 1980.
