One of the coolest things aboutStar Trekis the technology andStar Trek: VoyagermadeTrektech even cooler. As the hero ship of the fourth live-actionStar Trekshow, the USS Voyager was already a state-of-the-art Starfleet ship when it launched in 2371. Captain Kathryn Janeway’s (Kate Mulgrew) Intrepid-class starship is outfitted with new technologies, like the bio-neural gel packs that make Voyager’s computing speed faster than ever, and variable geometry warp nacelles that raise before initiating warp. That only benefited Janeway’s crew when being lost in the Delta Quadrant meant putting off routine starship maintenance in spacedock.
Instead,the USS Voyager’s predicament meant Chief Engineer Lt. B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) had her work cut out for her.Resources were limited, and opportunities to update the USS Voyager’s systems were scarce, but Torres still managed to keep the USS Voyager going strong. TheUSS Voyager’s Delta Quadrant upgradesstart inStar Trek: Voyagerseason 4, when Captain Janeway’s uneasy alliance with the Borg leads to partially assimilating Voyager. Seven of Nine’s (Jeri Ryan) addition to the crew meant even more Borg upgrades, courtesy of the ex-drone — but that’s not even the coolest ofVoyager’s new technologies.
5Starships Landing On Planets And Taking Off
Voyager’s second season premiere, “The 37s,” has the USS Voyager as the first Federation starship that’s depicted landing on a planet, instead of just orbiting while the Away Team beams down. At just 343 meters,a smaller size makes the USS Voyager easier to maneuver and land, compared toTNG’s bulky USS Enterprise-D. BeforeVoyager, having model starships settling on planets hadn’t been feasible on a TV budget, which led toStar Trekinventing the transporter, but access to cheaper CGI made the USS Voyager look especially cool during takeoff and landing.
4Borg Nanoprobes
Seven Of Nine’s Nanoprobes Solved Problems
Voyager’s Borg lore introduced nanoprobes: microscopic robots responsible for assimilating host bodies and machinery.Seven of Nine’s reconfigured Borg nanoprobes are responsible for some of the USS Voyager crew’s tech upgradesto weaponry and medicine. Although Species 8472 evades assimilation, nanoprobes form the basis of a weapon that defeats them, fulfilling Captain Janeway’s end of her deal with the Borg. When necessary, the Doctor reconfigures Borg nanoprobes to create cures for toxins and radiation sickness. Most impressively, Borg nanoprobes bring Neelix (Ethan Phillips) back to life inVoyagerseason 4, episode 12, “Mortal Coil”.
3The Delta Flyer
Tom Paris' “Hot Rod” Was Voyager’s Coolest Shuttle
The Delta Flyeris a versatile, highly maneuverable little ship that works as a long-range scouting vessel, a high-speed racer, and even a submersible. Each of the Flyer’s designers contributes to making it more than just a souped-up shuttlecraft. Lead designer Lt. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) made the Flyer the epitome of retro-cool, with tactile interfaces referencing Paris’Captain Proton. B’Elanna Torres designed the hull, while Seven of Nine contributed Borg-inspired weaponry, and Lt. Tuvok (Tim Russ) brought his security expertise to practical unimatrix shielding.
15.1 m
3.74 m
Cruising speed
Top speed
Crew complement
4–6 people
It was so cool that a second Flyer was built after the first one was destroyed, butthe Delta Flyer remains aStar Trekvehicle that’s unique toStar Trek: Voyager. Even though nothing like the Delta Flyer has been seen sinceVoyager,Tom Paris went on to design the personal fighter crafts flown by Nova Squadron inStar Trek: Prodigy.
2Quantum Slipstream Drive
From One USS Dauntless To The Next
The quantum slipstream drive is a next-level transwarp technology that the USS Voyager brought back to the Alpha Quadrant, and began installing on new Starfleet ships. The Voyager crew’s first encounter with the quantum slipstream drive is inVoyagerseason 4, episode 26, “Hope and Fear,” on the USS Dauntless, which was presumably sent by Starfleet to bring Voyager back home.Torres reverse-engineers the fake Dauntless' quantum slipstream drive, earning the USS Voyager light-years before the drive destabilizes. InProdigy,Admiral Janeway’s new USS Dauntlessis outfitted with its own quantum slipstream technology.
1Emergency Medical Hologram & Holographic Mobile Emitter
“Please State The Nature Of The Medical emergency.”
By far,Voyager’s coolest contribution toStar Trektechnology is a whole character: the Emergency Medical Hologram (Robert Picardo). We’re also extending an honorable mention to the Doctor’s Mobile Emitter because that bit of 29th-century technology freed the Doctor from Voyager’s sick bay and the holodeck. The EMH is one of those state-of-the-art additions to the USS Voyager that is not just useful —the Doctor also became an important part of Voyager’s crew,and a genuine friend to many.
Why Robert Picardo’s Doctor Is More Important To Star Trek 23 Years After Voyager Ended
23 years after Star Trek: Voyager’s finale, Robert Picardo’s Doctor is more important to Star Trek than ever as he returns in two new Star Trek shows.
The Doctor changed howStar Trek’s holographic characters were perceived, likeStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Vic Fontaine (James Darren) being a sentient hologram beloved byDS9’s crew. InStar Trek: Picard, Captain Cristobal Rios' (Santiago Cabrera) La Sirena is crewed by holograms; Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) creates a holographic ruse with a mobile emitter. Appropriately, the Doctor’s legacy is most keenly felt in theStar Trek: Voyagerspiritual sequelStar Trek: Prodigy, withHologram Captain Janewaybeing a mentor to the young USS Protostar crew.
