screenshots are from [Threshold] and [Day of Honor] unless otherwise stated

TYPE 12 SHUTTLECRAFT

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Tom Paris: "This is the shuttle Cochrane."

In 2372, stardate 49373.4, USS Voyager's conn officer Lt. Tom Paris attempts to be the first human to break the warp 10 threshold. This barrier is thought to be impossible, as the mathematics of travelling at transwarp speeds suggests the vessel and its pilot would occupy every point in the universe simultaneously. However, the discovery of a new form of dilithium that remains stable at much higher warp frequencies allows Torres and Kim to equip the Type-12 shuttlecraft with this enhanced drive component in order to break the threshold, and a final problem-solving session (dialogue given below) paved the way for the historic flight. The shuttlecraft is christened Cochrane after Zefram Cochrane the inventor of warp drive technology. Its hull, but not nacelles, according to standard Starfleet practice, was made of a tritanium alloy.

Problem-solving: Neelix persudes Kim and Paris to explain their project. He spent two years as engineer's assistant on a Trabalian freighter, so he is "well-versed in warp theory." Kim: "Nothing in the universe can go warp 10. It's a theoretical impossibility. In principle, if you were ever to reach warp 10, you'd be travelling at infinite velocity." Neelix: "Infinite velocity. Got it. So that, that means very fast." Paris: "It means that you would occupy every point in the universe simultaneously. In theory we could go any place in the wink of an eye. Time and distance would have no meaning." Kim: "If Voyager could achieve warp 10, we could be home in as long as it takes to press a button." Neelix is definitely impressed. Paris explains the project began when they discovered a new form of dilithium in the asteroid field they surveyed last month: it remains stable at a higher warp speed. But they have encountered problems. Kim: "The problem is: every time we simulate crossing the warp 10 threshold, the warp nacelles get torn off the ship." Neelix: "I remember there was a time when I lost a warp nacelle going through a dark matter nebula. ... As the ship went through the nebula it sent out a dark matter bow wave, actually so much pressure built up it tore itself from its housing. Now maybe the same thing is happening to you." This sets Paris thinking. He and Kim briskly discuss and Kim ends up with the solution: they just have to build a depolarisation matrix around the shuttlecraft fuselage to prevent it moving at a faster rate than the nacelles. Paris hugs Neelix: "Neelix, you're a genius!" After they leave, Neelix: "I have no idea what they just said."

The Cochrane exits Voyager's shuttlebay and heads into space. (pop-up window)

Type-12 shuttlecraft, which are an upgrade of the Type-9 (source ST:M, implying that Voyager has more than one Type-12) are relatively small, short to medium range vessels carried by a number of starships (source TOSTFF), and while their interiors are relatively cramped, the design of the ship makes it perfect for the warp 10 attempt. Voyager's complement of shuttlecraft at the start of the mission into the Badlands in 2371 was four (source SS), and the Cochrane is labelled "shuttle 4".

The Cochrane exits Voyager's shuttlebay. As it jumps to warp, Voyager does the same. (pop-up window)

The compact styling of the cockpit allows the pilot fast access to the ship's systems, a necessity when conducting the warp 10 attempt with its inherently high risk of accident. Several simulations of the mission are run in the holodeck before the final attempt, with the Cochrane's interior represented exactly in order to familiarize Paris with the conditions, allowing the design team to develop the refinements required for the real vessel's experimental run. The Cochrane's cockpit is entered through sliding double doors located in the separating bulkhead between the forward and rear part of the ship. It can comfortably accommodate the pilot and copilot at the front of the area, but room for additional personnel is limited. The doors are constructed from a light metallic colored alloy, and have dark inset rectangular panels on the upper and lower surfaces. The doors slide outward into the recess formed by the angular port and starboard bulkhead walls, with the upper ceiling narrowing to mirror the shape of the outer hull.

3D cutaway diagram of cockpit

Click to see full-size, pop-up window, full-size 1097x665 pixels, 233Kb.

The Cochrane's interior has adequate headroom, and the use of light colored panels creates an illusion of spaciousness that is enhanced by the three large view ports forward of the pilot's position.

[#105 Latent Image]

[#105 Latent Image]

[#105 Latent Image]. The female crewmember whose back is in the picture is Ensign Jetal.

<=== device

The outer framework of the access hatch consists of narrow raised panels that run to the deck of the ship, and are made of the same smooth material that forms the rear bulkheads. A narrow horizontal raised panel runs at waist height, bisecting the bulkhead and incorporating a blue colored glowing light source that illuminates the rear corners of the cockpit. A narrow ribbed panel is located between the rear bulkhead and rectangular recessed port and starboard windows on either side, directly above an illuminated horizontal beam constructed from a dark metallic material. The overall level of light provided from these beams and the ceiling grilles is relatively low, reducing interior reflection on the central rectangular viewing window, and the smaller angled port and starboard windows. The rear of the cockpit does not feature an extensive array of controls or systems, as the majority of the ship's interfaces are built into the consoles at the bow.

Rear of cockpit interior
Located on the starboard lower side of the cockpit's interior is a flat black colored cylindrical device (labelled device on the above screenshot) mounted on a grey coloured angular plinth. Its activity is denoted by a flashing red diode on its right upper surface. As the device (and certain other equipment seen by it) does not appear in [Day of Honor] it is probably a modification to facilitate transwarp speed.

There is enough room to the rear of the pilot's seats to accommodate a couple of personnel on the floor of the forward section, but this would only be in an emergency as easy access and egress from the area would effectively be blocked. The Cochrane is designed to be operated by a two-person crew, but can easily be piloted by a single individual due to the careful layout and design of the touch-sensitive interfaces arranged to the front of the piloting positions. The pilot is located to the left of the interior, with the co-pilot's seat positioned to the right. The chairs are extremely sturdy units, constructed from heavy duty elements covered in padded sectional supports, thus providing a high degree of comfort while operating the vessel. The chairs swivel freely from left to right, creating ease of access to the flat panel control's and the low console mounted centrally between them.

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