A graviton catapult in 2376.
The graviton catapult was a type of space-based technology, a 24th century propulsion technology realized in the form of a space station by the alien Tash in the galaxy's Delta Quadrant in the 2370s decade. It was capable of catapulting a starship across space. (VOY episode: "The Voyager Conspiracy")
This technology and station were also known as a subspace catapult. (Shipyards reference: Shipyards: Delta Quadrant)
History and specifics[]
Development[]
Tash and his ship were stranded ten years away from his home after investigating a wormhole. Rather than travelling back in a conventional manner, Tash designed and constructed the graviton catapult station. His goal was to use it once to propel his ship through null space towards home.
A Cardassian advanced shipyard in 2377.
The station consisted of two curved graviton emitters, not physically connected to each other but held in place, roughly taking the shape of brackets. A habitat module was attached to one of the "brackets". Its color was grey. (VOY episode: "The Voyager Conspiracy")
This appearance matched the design of Cardassian advanced shipyards in the 2370s. Instead of propelling vessels, this type of shipyard produced starships of large classes, like the Galor, Keldon and Vasad. It was colored ochre, a common paint scheme of starships and space-based facilities in the Cardassian Union. (ST video game: Armada II)
In the year 2376, the wayward Federation starship USS Voyager detected emissions from Tash's station and approached to investigate. Captain Kathryn Janeway struck a deal with Mister Tash to assist with finishing the catapult in return for a ticket to use it. At first kept a secret, Seven of Nine revealed to her captain that Tash used Nacene technology recovered from the Caretaker's array, destroyed by Voyager in 2371.
After clearing that misunderstanding, construction and repairs were finalised, and Tash's ship was catapulted 5.000 lightyears. Tash communicated with Voyager to announce the successful jump and transmitted deflector shield modifications. When Voyager used the catapult, it transported the Federation ship past thirty sectors, cutting of three years of their journey to Earth. (VOY episode: "The Voyager Conspiracy")
That was the equivalent of a 600-lightyear jump. (ST reference: Star Charts)
Appendices[]
Appearances and references[]
Appearances[]
- VOY episode: "The Voyager Conspiracy" (first appearance)
- ST reference: Star Charts)
- ST reference: Encyclopedia
- Shipyards reference: Shipyards: Delta Quadrant
External link[]
- Graviton catapult article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.