[AyanEva]

Originally Posted by Admiral Rand

So logically why did they go from one core in say Voyager to six is is just ship size or were they going backwards? Or is this just movie stuff and shouldn't be compared to shows. Also would the smaller cores mean for slower top speed because of lag times between the cores and all the stuff it takes to make a core work? And as it would make sense for a small ship to have one big core because then it could go alot faster than if it had say three mini cores. And the turbo lifts. Yes it would seem to me that they are alot faster than in the older shows and movies.

There might not be a lag time if it works like a dual core processor on a computer or something. OK, crappy analogy but it's the closest I could think of.

[MissionTrek08]

I think your 'less efficient' warp core theory sounds good, since the Enterprise seems to top out at Warp 3 or 4 in the film.

In simple terms, an object requiring more power usually results in the development of more efficient fuel 'cells' or supplies, not simply adding more and more of the same kind. Same with output, as computers have gotten smaller over time, not bigger.

[Admiral Rand]

Right because at one point in the film they say if scotty can get them to warp 4 like it would be a challenge or something.

[TMRiddle1912]

Originally Posted by Thascales

Film

There seem to be some small markings on the upper spine of the engineering section that could be the warp core hatches, used when the cores were ejected. If you pause the third trailer as the Narada's torpedo strikes the Enterprise's neck, they're very visible. If they are the core hatches, then there are eight warp cores in total.

Spoiler

The dossier on the offical site says the Enterprise's maximum speed is Warp 8. Maybe each warp core can only make a ship go Warp 1 so she needs 8 to get to Warp 8. Just a thought.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by Admiral Rand

Right because at one point in the film they say if scotty can get them to warp 4 like it would be a challenge or something.

Originally Posted by TMRiddle1912

Spoiler

The dossier on the offical site says the Enterprise's maximum speed is Warp 8. Maybe each warp core can only make a ship go Warp 1 so she needs 8 to get to Warp 8. Just a thought.

That might fit, because I thought that when they referenced Warp 4 it was because the ship had been already damaged by the Narada, including the engines.

Therefore what they mean is, if we can get the engines repaired enough to make Warp 4 we can get to Earth in time etc.

Not that Warp 4 was the ships overall maximum.

[Big D]

Originally Posted by kevin

That might fit, because I thought that when they referenced Warp 4 it was because the ship had been already damaged by the Narada, including the engines.

Therefore what they mean is, if we can get the engines repaired enough to make Warp 4 we can get to Earth in time etc.

Not that Warp 4 was the ships overall maximum.

Exactly. Damage to the warp drive is something expressly mentioned in the film.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by Big D

Exactly. Damage to the warp drive is something expressly mentioned in the film.

I thought so, thanks for confirming!

[Jim in St. Louis]

I just saw the movie again. When they jettisoned the warp cores, the camera is moving quickly thru engineering, specifically between the rows of silver vats. The vats are seen shooting straight up and out of the ship, and the next scene is outside the enterprise with them falling behind toward the black hole.

I was also thinking about how they got home without the warp cores but we really don't know how much time elapsed. They could have simply called starfleet to come and get them.

[Admiral Rand]

Are the vats the warp cores or something else?

[Jim in St. Louis]

Originally Posted by Admiral Rand

Are the vats the warp cores or something else?

Funny, I'm still not sure. There are horizontal vats, and vertical vats. During the jettison scene, it looked like vertical vats were being ejected.

Oh well, there is now a requirement for a third viewing.