The Design of the U.S.S. Relativity

Discussion in 'Trek Tech' started by JoeRalat, Nov 2, 2007.

  1. JoeRalat

    JoeRalat Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Hello Everyone. I was collecting some production information on the Federation ship’s seen on voyager, but I could not find any on the U.S.S. Relativity. I am guessing that it was design by Rick Sternbach. I am not sure what kind of information I’m looking for.

    What was the inspiration for the Relativity? The ship is so different from other starship designs. Has anyone seen any early sketches on the ship? What was called for in the script? Any info on the how many decks..size..? I saw in the episode that a cutaway was made of it, but could not see any details. What was the inspiration for the interior (The bridge and graphics)? That’s just a few questions. :D

    Thanks
     
  2. Rick Sternbach

    Rick Sternbach Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    The inspiration for the ship was a blended arrowhead sort of shape with a lot of roller coaster curves, upon which were drawn most of the little details that were familiar to older Starfleet ships. Those details were evolved, but one could still see what they were for. The Bussard collector caps were turned and stretched, but they're there. Same with the phaser strips, lifeboats, etc.

    Rick
    www.spacemodelsystems.com
     
  3. David Schmidt

    David Schmidt Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    Plus, I think the designer looked at the SR-71 a lot.
     
  4. ancient

    ancient Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Well, the ship looked kind of like a mutated manta to me. Which I suppose makes it more time-o-dynamic or something. A non-timeship from the era might look more like the ENT-J from ENT. Assuming that the federation has non-timeships at that point.
     
  5. C.E. Evans

    C.E. Evans Admiral Admiral

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    I really liked the Wells-class a lot. It has a very organic look that I think is a nice progression from early modular starships (rather than warp nacelles, it seems to have warp fins).
    :cool:
     
  6. Rick Sternbach

    Rick Sternbach Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Nope, although I do know the SR-71 pretty well. I try to work with bits and pieces of cool designs, but not mimic the entire shape. Too many designers do that already.

    Rick
    www.spacemodelsystems.com
     
  7. JoeRalat

    JoeRalat Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Sorry for the late reply, but Thank You Mr. Sternbach for the information. Did the Relativity have a shuttlebay. If she did have a shuttlebay, would the "Aeon" type ship be its shuttle?

    Again Thanks for the information.
     
  8. Rick Sternbach

    Rick Sternbach Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Oh, there are probably some panels that could iris open or somesuch, but since we never saw a bay in action, I didn't spend much time actually pegging it. I would imagine that the Aeon would be one kind of deployed craft from the big ship, yeah.

    Rick
    www.spacemodelsystems.com
     
  9. GalaxyX

    GalaxyX Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Rick, where you in any way inspired by the "Paradigm" type Capital ships from the game "Wing Commander: Privateer"?

    That's what the ship most reminded me of.
     
  10. Rick Sternbach

    Rick Sternbach Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Nope, don't know that one.

    Rick
    www.spacemodelsystems.com
     
  11. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I totally love the Relativity. It is one of my favorite Starfleet designs that has ever appeared in Trek. :bolian:

    Its bridge is a little odd - why is there just a tiny viewscreen off to port? (That big one in the center was just a computer display. Not an actual viewer.) Why is the captain's chair way off in the corner like that? But in general it is an AWESOME ship.

    Side note:
    I think Captain Braxton is Future Guy.

     
  12. Silvercrest

    Silvercrest Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Oct 4, 2003
    I've always thought that, too!
     
  13. HRHTheKING

    HRHTheKING Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Beautiful design.

    Looks far more robust than traditional Starfleet vessels with their engines stuck out on fragile looking pylons.