Talk:Subspace

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[edit] The Geometry Of Subspace

The relationship between Warp, subspace and "Normal Space" is always the most difficult concept to grasp when discussing stellar physics. Subspace is simple the 'substrate' on which our universe exists. The "subspace barrier" is the albeit flimsy dividing line between the two continuums and a 'Subspace Field' is either a natural or artificial intrusion of subspace into Normal Space.

Each point in subspace coincides with and equal point in Normal Space while the universe exist as a series of spheres, one nested inside the other. Each layer of subspace is smaller as you approach the center. When traveling through subspace, as in Warp, you don't actually move faster, but simply make the distance smaller. It can be said, in error mind you, that you bend or warp Normal Space to make it smaller.

The closer we sink towards the central point, the shorter the distance traveled. Subspace is like a pressurized fluid contained within a balloon of normal space. Causing a rupture in the skin allows subspace to come gushing out, explaining the importance of the Warp 5 speed limit. If subspace were to leak out, eventually normal space would collapse just like a balloon with the air let out.

A ship accelerates at faster than light by establishing a powerful, asymmetric subspace field around the ship by the warp nacelles. This warp field wraps around the ship in a two-lobed bubble, with the focus at Main engineering (by design). The shape of the ship determines the efficiency of the field, and this explains why the starships have such a sleek design. Meanwhile, the subspace field reduces the inertial mass of the ship, aiding in maneuvering.

In fact, a small subspace field is kept around the ship at impulse speeds, so the Impulse drives have less mass to push around. However, this is only a side effect and is not the mechanism used to allow faster-than-light travel.

The subspace field forces the ship to take on the reference frame of subspace itself, which is a special reference frame, circumventing the limits of Special Relativity. So if an artificial subspace field can mimic true subspace and allow faster-than-light travel by warping Normal Space and relative distances, what keeps a ship from accelerating into infinitely. Simply a subspace field must be sustained with energy. Without constant energy the field decays and the vessel slips back into Normal Space. -- 66.2.146.107 01:19, 28 Aug 2004 (CEST)

[edit] Perfecto's Law of Subspace Arguments

As a Star Trek discussion grows longer, the probability of an argument involving subspace fast approaches 1. --Perfecto 23:02, 2 Sep 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Related topics

• I like the related topics here, but it is getting too long, we need to find a clean way to break it up. Jaf 19:11, 17 Sep 2005 (UTC)Jaf