Starship Navigation In Space

Ensign bring us about Bearing 330 mark 15 engage. We've heard Captain Picard giving these orders on the bridge of the Enterprise, but what does it mean? The term "Bearing" is a mathematical expression which Picard gives as part of an instruction to the helm. This alerts the ensign or navigational officer of his intent to change the direction of the Enterprise from its previous heading and redirect the flightpath of the Enterprise towards the direction of the other spaceship, which is most likely visible on the viewscreen.




A bearing measures the angular difference between the current forward direction of the spacecraft (Enterprise in diagram) and the direction being described. (Khan's Botany Bay ship) The first number in a bearing of 000 mark 0 describes the direction, directly ahead of the vessel. The second number in a bearing of 330 mark 15 describes the direction to the port side ( look right) of the larger ship (Enterprise) which is the elevation value of the Enterprise towards Khans Botany Bay vessel, right above the centerline of the ship.



When the mathematical expression "Heading" is given this describes the direction of the Enterprise not in relation to any other ship or object, but to a region of space. A Heading is composed of two numbers representing an azimuth value and an elevation value in degrees. The numbers 000, mark 0 describe the ships direction towards the Geometric Center of the Galaxy. The ships degrees are from 0 to 360 in a clockwise motion and encircle the vessel.


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Paramount Pictures or CBS Paramount Television.

Stars and planets are also used as a reference guide by starships to identify a location in space or set a new ships flightpath. Federation starship computers can immediately set a ship's course direction in space, based on previously explored and mapped positions of interstellar "space bodies" otherwise known as planets, stars and even asteroid belts.



Verbal navigational mathematical instructions given by Captain Picard to the conn, have advantageously altered the U.S.S. Enterprises NCC 1701-D bearing and elevation in times crisis with enemy ships, thus averting disaster for the entire Enterprise crew.

Starship Navigation In Space

The center of the Galaxy 000, mark 0 is also used as a reference point when calculating the direction of the ships Direction of Flight towards another region of space. In the diagram with the U.S.S Enterprise NCC 1701-D and the U.S.S Yamato NCC 71807 both have an azimuth heading of 030.


Live Long and Prosper!

Gorn Lizard and his Friend

nerd
Originally uploaded by gingervitis.

In this photograph the Gorn Lizzard almost looks alive. Look at all those sharp smiling teeth. Gorn seems amused by whats going on or maybe hes just waiting. One false move by the human and we might just see Mr lizzard licking his lips. Our green friend definately has something in store for this trusting, unsuspecting, Sci-Fi Fan. In this photo the Earthling seems to be having fun with the Reptilian Creature. Where do you think it was taken?
Image originally uploaded by gingervitis

Horta Creature

The creature seen here was the main star attraction in the episode " Devil in the Dark" in Star Trek The Original Series. The "Horta" was a creature of deep passion from the depths of converging caverns on Janus VI She was a protector, capable of striking in a flash with lightening stealth, melting all and everything that was in her path.

She was also a highly intelligent lifeform, suffering from great pain and tormented with memories of sorrow and loss. The Horta is a remarkable, durable creature of the caves and readied herself to exact punishment on those who were ruining her childrens future. One by one, the miners of Janus VI started to die.

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Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Alpha Memory


This episode is filled with interesting characters, ranging from a panic stricken guard whose left abandoned in the caves on watch to a blunt, tense, almost angry Administrative Head /Chief Engineer fed up of watching his men dieing. This is a great episode. Tensions and emotions are running high because people are fearing for their lives.

Emotional outbursts are commonplace with even the logical Mr Spock having a few for himself, over Kirks safety. This is a charged exciting storyline that just sweeps you up and takes the viewer on a trip of discovery along with Kirk, Spock and the rest of the baffled miners. There is a mystery here to be solved and no one has any answers, which is why the USS Enterprise 1701 is called to the rescue!


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Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Alpha Memory


Spock is fascinated by the object on the Chief Installations Managers desk and picks it up. Theres a curious expression on his face. He asks the chief

"Mr Vandeburg, What is this?"
"Its a silicone nodule, theres a million of them down there of no commercial value." comes the reply, rather bluntly.

"But a geological oddity to say the least. " says Spock examining the nodule closely in his hands. "Pure silicone?" enquires Spock calmly
"A few trace elements, look we didn't call you here so you could collect rocks"




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"Devil In The Dark"
Memory Alpha




Vandeburgs appalled by Spocks carry on and is now looking at Kirk. Clearly, his nerves are on edge and Spock so far, hasn't done anything to inspire the chief. Theres an almost amused look on the captains face. If the Janus VI crisis wasn't so serious, these two, Spock and Vandeburg would be funny.- Kirk sees the need to lower Chief Vandeburg's blood pressure.

"Thankyou Mr Vandeburg, we'll need your complete cooperation"
"You'll have it, Just find that creature or whatever it is, I've got a quota to meet!" Vandeburg leaves the room.

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Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Memory Alpha



Kirk is determined to end the bloodshed and find the creature. He reminds the security detachment that they are:

" dealing with a silicone creature from the deep rocks"
So much is unknown about the "Horta" at this stage.
Kirk is harsh. He has to be. The security guards are standing to attention.

"You will proceed from level to level" - searching for the creature " and remember 50 people have died, I want no more deaths"
"Except the bloody thing" blurts out Chief Engineer unhappily.
Captain James T. Kirk continues,

"So it is wounded and twice as dangerous, stay in pairs, if you see it, concentrate your phaser fire at what appears to be its head. Concentrate it, maintain it. It is definitely resistant, if it can be hurt, it can be killed.

Administrative Head and Chief Engineer of the mining facility. Mr Vanderburg.
"When that creature appears men die"
" I don't know what this butchering monster is, but I know what its doing"
"Except that bloody thing"
"I'm concerned with my people here Kirk, they're being murdered, now you find that monster and kill it!"
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Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark" Memory Alpha



Human activity mattered little to the Horta until that faithful day of heartbreaking discovery. There was a lasting peace on the Horta Homeworld for thousands of years. So why did the Horta resort to murder? She was the mother of her race, left behind to care for her unhatched little ones on Janus VI.

The Horta came from a time when thousands of her kind lived. Every 50000 years, all but one Horta passes on, who cared for the next generation hatchlings. This natural environment underground was their nursery "chamber of the ages" which until recently had been undisturbed for millenniums.

One day as the silicone caretaker went about her business, disaster struck. The sound of equipment could be heard, which her finely tuned senses picked up on. Panic stricken and engulfed with feelings of Hortadread for the welfare of her little ones safety, the Mother Horta rushed to the Chamber of the Ages.

Smashed eggs could be seen in the cave. The murderers had left. The Peace on Janus VI was over.

I hope you enjoyed reading. Live Long and Prosper!


Spock and Kirk discover a newly cut tunnel in the last two minutes after the Horta fled after their first encounter.
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Paramount Pictures
"Devil In The Dark"
Memory Alpha

Northern Star Trails Park Algonquin.

This could be a wormhole. Any minute now, there could be a starship blazing through the stars, scorching the night sky with its impulse engines except i think the camera man was asleep for that part, sorry no ship...but you can picture her can't you? Looked at another way, picture a spaceship in pursuit of an enemy vessel heading towards earth past, traveling at warp speed and this temporal vortex opens up in front of the crew sucking them in.. The captain calls for red alert, engages defense shields and demands,

"Sammy, I'm going to need all the power you can muster, mister"


Star Trails Algonquin Park
Image Owner/Creator Warner Strauss on Flickr

Meanwhile Lieutenant Data chirps up from communications,

"Captain  Nine Billion all Borg!"

"Duh what?"

Its new territory now. A few clicks behind, the good guys ship is rendered powerless by the arresting space phenomenon and is pulled in by the menacing whirlpool of sparkling stars. The Borg have vanished and Earths timeline has drastically changed. Borgs everywhere - not a human to be found! Spinning out of control our heroes are caught up in the gravitational pull of the vortex...One by one, starship systems shut down as main power is lost due to the overloading of the ships engines. The chief Engineer slams her into reverse and desperately trying to escape the gravitational pull. Its too late, the magnetic star trails of Algonquin have engulfed the entire ship.


High above in the sky is the Northern star which shines bright and never moves. This image is not to be mistaken for an artists impression either. Its a real photo of Northern Star Trails in Algonquin Park. The trees look alive with reflection of the light in the night sky. Imagine being there at night on your own!

Dr McCoy's Medical Miracles

Dr Leonard H. McCoy is the chief medical officer of the USS Enterprise 1701. He is an emotional, illogical, country doctor who doesn't mind having the odd sip of Saurian brandy between patients. Sorry about the illogical bit, blame Spock. Dr Mc Coy also called "Bones" affectionately by Kirk, is highly respected and as of 2267, had earned the Legion of Honour, and was decorated by Starfleet surgeons. Spock, however would invariably antagonise McCoy, refering to the good doctors concoctions, magic potions and latest victims.

" I am an accomplished Scientist devoted to logic..." Spock has declared to Kirk and McCoy
So what did that make Dr McCoy? he's a man of science too, highly qualified and decorated.
Spock is well known for his statements of logic and analyical prowess like the one above. Which he has unashamedly announced in front of Dr McCoy. Was Spock having fun at the doctors expense? How much of the human is speaking out? Was Spock actually enjoying himself? McCoy has countered Spocks own brilliant attestments of logic with a healthy dose of scepticism.

"In a pigs eye!" stirs McCoy, hoping for an emotional outburst from Spocks human half.
"That is a human emotion " is Spocks clever response.
"You bet your pointed ears, it is!" Comes the warm human reply from Bones. The camera focuses and we see a look of astonishment on Spocks face and the famous arched eyebrow is raised.



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belongs to Paramount Pictures.
Source: Star Trek T.O.S.
Memory Alpha


Left alone Spock and Mc Coy would love to torment each other to bits using humiliating jibes and tear downs. When these two are at each others throats, with Kirk as referee, it makes for great laughs. I wonder does Spock ever breathe a deep sigh of relief and say "Great" (to himself)when DrMcCoy leaves the Bridge to go back to his Sickbay. But that would be so human and illogical.

Personally, I think Spock knows that Dr McCoy is on to him. Poor Spock is half human and half vulcan and our good 'ole Dr Sea Bones doesn't let up on this. The cool calm exterior of our first Officer, doesn't fool the ship's Chief Medical Officer. Deep inside, McCoy knows Spock is struggling with the stern discipline of Vulcan Logic and the emotionalism of his human side, which Bones has played around with occasionally, much to the vulcans embarassment.



Some of Dr McCoys Medical Miracles included the well known handheld
1)medical scanners. These were used to take readings of a persons vital lifesigns. The device itself is cylindrical in shape. In the image opposite is a pair of hands and a medical tricorder. The right index finger is resting on the silver scanner, which is then taken out and used to diagnose.


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Star Trek T.O.S. Memory Alpha


2)Medical Diagnostic Bed with the overhead scanner. Its been rumoured that NASA were facinated with the orange bed covers in The Uss Enterprise 1701 Sickbay and at the time had a good look at them. Here you have 24th century biobeds .


Image copyright belongs to Paramount Pictures.
Star Trek T.O.S. Memory Alpha.


3) A Surgical support frame is equipped with a sterilization field, cardiostimulator and other inbuilt support functions for surgical procedures which assist the surgeon when operating. Here you can see a 23rd century biobed with overhead scanner also. Usually there is a cute nurse on standby also to help in the surgical procedures. It looks like the patient is ambassador Sarek, another of the good doctors victims. We all know whose words those are!


Image copyright belongs to Paramount Pictures.
Star Trek T.O.S. Memory Alpha.


4) Dr McCoys Hypospray! Never beams down without it. This medical instrument was used by Mc Coy to administer "stimulants" such as cordrazine to Lt Sulu, who suffered serious electrical burns on the Enterprise Bridge in 2267 This device later became an inspiration to "real world engineers" who have since invented medical devices based on these designs.

5) Cordrazine. Lifesaving medical wonder drug treatment, used to treat life threatening illnesses, burns etc. Beverly crusher administered 25ml of this drug to Worf in a last ditch effort to save his life when , (as Q has put it- entertainingly) under the inept ministrations of the Doctor Crusher - everything else failed.




6) Psychotricorder-This is an instrument used to record past memories. Kirk ordered a 24 hour regressive memory test on Chief Engineer Scott, to help clear him of murder on Argelius II in 2267. Chief Engineer Scotty. Wolf in the fold has an especially humourous aspect to it. Scotty is always not far from the crime scene and that "voice" just cracks me up.


Image copyright belongs to Paramount pictures.
Star Trek T.O.S. Memory Alpha.


7)Dr McCoy's Biocomputer was an independant piece of computer technology capable of analysing and isolating complex medical problems/viruses etc and obtaining a vaccine using totally logical means. The computer doesn't have an interface with the Enterprises computer, so the results have to be fed via the communicator to the sickbay labs above where a formula is processed.

Wow you read this far! Thanks for stopping by. Live Long and Prosper Trekkers!!