88

In Voyager's transporter room, there is an alcove on the side, and embedded in the wall is what appears to be a small transporter pad. I don't believe anyone is ever shown interacting with this, so there's no definitive explanation for what it is. Assuming it is what it appears to be, what would be the purpose of a very small transporter like this?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] thejbw@lemm.ee 31 points 1 year ago

I’m struggling for a non shitpost response to be perfectly honest. Voyager was a science vessel… so Perhaps some sample return with quarantine?

[-] Indy@kbin.social 23 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That's exactly the thought I had about it. (The sample return part.)

Perhaps also with a small containment field with its own power supply? Thus the smaller size would allow for more efficient use of such a field, whether by allowing it to be more secure while using the same power as a larger field or to sustain a smaller field for a longer time in cases of general power failure?

[-] jrs100000@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

You could also safely hold a sample without stranding the away team in the event containment had to activate.

[-] Hobo@lzrprt.sbs 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah, but where's the fun in that!?

[-] qantravon@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

That's actually not a bad thought. Some kind of special sample transporter is certainly a possibility. It would be easier to set up a containment field around the smaller platform.

[-] nottheengineer@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago

I'd agree if it wasn't for Tuvix.

[-] thejbw@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

Perhaps it was not an expected hazardous sample / the transporter chief was not notified the sample was present.

this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2023
88 points (100.0% liked)

Daystrom Institute

3235 readers
31 users here now

Welcome to Daystrom Institute!

Serious, in-depth discussion about Star Trek from both in-universe and real world perspectives.

Read more about how to comment at Daystrom.

Rules

1. Explain your reasoning

All threads and comments submitted to the Daystrom Institute must contain an explanation of the reasoning put forth.

2. No whinging, jokes, memes, and other shallow content.

This entire community has a “serious tag” on it. Shitposts are encouraged in Risa.

3. Be diplomatic.

Participate in a courteous, objective, and open-minded fashion. Be nice to other posters and the people who make Star Trek. Disagree respectfully and don’t gatekeep.

4. Assume good faith.

Assume good faith. Give other posters the benefit of the doubt, but report them if you genuinely believe they are trolling. Don’t whine about “politics.”

5. Tag spoilers.

Historically Daystrom has not had a spoiler policy, so you may encounter untagged spoilers here. Ultimately, avoiding online discussion until you are caught up is the only certain way to avoid spoilers.

6. Stay on-topic.

Threads must discuss Star Trek. Comments must discuss the topic raised in the original post.

Episode Guides

The /r/DaystromInstitute wiki held a number of popular Star Trek watch guides. We have rehosted them here:

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS