Starship Museums: why?

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

The first real hint of this was Voyager, which makes sense, because it took them 23 years to get back home, quarter of a century. In the revised timeline, only 7 years, but still makes sense. How many starships fly across the galaxy in under a decade? It was a PR thing. We also know the NX-01 ended up as a museum ship after a decade in space. This was also likely a PR with the formation of the Federation and being Starfleet's first explorer and a prototype at that.

In the 1966-2005 run, these are the only examples I can think of where a Starfleet starship became a museum piece. This wasn't really a thing in the reboot trilogy. In the streaming shows, (not counting Voyager in Lower Decks), this seems to mostly be just a "Picard show" thing. I don't like the idea that starships get retired after some 10-20 years. Cars last longer than that. WTF? The whole "mileage" thing reduces a starship to a car. Are these things supposed to go toe-to-toe with the Borg, the Dominion, survive crash landings, and shit? Come on. If the "story reason" is PR, trashed but made to look nice, or just horribly outdated (no one's expecting the Ent-A to fly again, LMAO), no probs. The Defiant-A is only 26 years old by PIC S3, why is it not still flying around kicking ass? Kirk's Enterprise was 20 years old when he took command and still had the new paint smell.

 

[Dukhat]

Because Starfleet makes their new ships with planned obsolescence.

 

[fireproof78]

Museums are meant to be a place to celebrate significant moments, and are more traditional than pragmatic.

In a post scarcity environment such museum pieces makes sense. Picard says in "Relics" he toured a Constitution at the Fleet museum. So, if a ship performs in a historically significant way a museum makes sense.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Museums are meant to be a place to celebrate significant moments, and are more traditional than pragmatic.

In a post scarcity environment such museum pieces makes sense. Picard says in "Relics" he toured a Constitution at the Fleet museum. So, if a ship performs in a historically significant way a museum makes sense.

Oh wow, the "fleet museum" was introduced (as an idea) as far back as "Relics?"
I don't object to starships being retired and used as a museum.
I do object when there's just not a good reason.
Why is the Defiant-A not patrolling Bajor?

 

[The Wormhole]

Why is the Defiant-A not patrolling Bajor?

Probably because there's now a Defiant B. Or even C.

 

[fireproof78]

Oh wow, the "fleet museum" was introduced (as an idea) as far back as "Relics?"
I don't object to starships being retired and used as a museum.
I do object when there's just not a good reason.
Why is the Defiant-A not patrolling Bajor?

Probably because moving past a more war like posture was good PR.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Probably because there's now a Defiant B. Or even C.

Why do we need a Defiant-B when the A would still be going strong?
Kirk's Enterprise was going strong 20+ years when he took command.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Probably because moving past a more war like posture was good PR.

Post war doesn't mean no more bad guys. Presumably Deep Space Nine continued to be a thing, so why wouldn't the Defiant-A remain stationed there?

 

[fireproof78]

Post war doesn't mean no more bad guys. Presumably Deep Space Nine continued to be a thing, so why wouldn't the Defiant-A remain stationed there?

Because it was a warship. Starfleet doesn't build those, per dialog. So, public relationships is best served by retiring the ship.

 

[The Wormhole]

Why do we need a Defiant-B when the A would still be going strong?

The Enterprise F was decommissioned despite sill being capable. Starfleet makes odd decisions about their ships in this era.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Because it was a warship. Starfleet doesn't build those, per dialog. So, public relationships is best served by retiring the ship.

Up until the Dominion War, sure, but once that war came and went, it's kind'a stupid to go backwards, knowing the galaxy is that dangerous and trying to force "warships bad" on itself knowing they need them.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

The Enterprise F was decommissioned despite sill being capable. Starfleet makes odd decisions about their ships in this era.

I chalk this up to bad writing. Matalas thinks a starship's only good for 10-20 years. Stupid.

 

[fireproof78]

Up until the Dominion War, sure, but once that war came and went, it's kind'a stupid to go backwards, knowing the galaxy is that dangerous and trying to force "warships bad" on itself knowing they need them.

Starfleet is all about public perception.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Starfleet is all about public perception.

Why? This makes no sense to me. Starfleet is all about planetary defense, transport, exploration, and humanitarian aide.

 

[fireproof78]

Why? This makes no sense to me. Starfleet is all about planetary defense, transport, exploration, and humanitarian aide.

Exploration first, aid second, diplomacy third. Picard and Riker both regard defensive capabilities as a "minor province" if being a starship captain.

They look to project a different, non militaristic, stance. A warship is bad PR.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Exploration first, aid second, diplomacy third. Picard and Riker both regard defensive capabilities as a "minor province" if being a starship captain.

They look to project a different, non militaristic, stance. A warship is bad PR.

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd thing; is this from the show, or more something that just kind of became a thing among the fans? When did Picard and Riker consider defense a minor province? Across the first 3 seasons and rolling into S4, seems pretty important to me. Why's a warship bad PR? If anything, as a Federation citizen, you'd love a Starfleet warship in orbit keeping space thugs at bay.

 

[fireproof78]

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd thing; is this from the show, or more something that just kind of became a thing among the fans? When did Picard and Riker consider defense a minor province? Across the first 3 seasons and rolling into S4, seems pretty important to me. Why's a warship bad PR? If anything, as a Federation citizen, you'd love a Starfleet warship in orbit keeping space thugs at bay.

Peak performance. Riker opposes being involved in war games.

Because Starfleet is about peace. That's why.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Peak performance. Riker opposes being involved in war games.

Because Starfleet is about peace. That's why.

I remember the episode, not the dialogue, but sounds right for TNG S2. Up to this point, aside from conflict with the Cardassians, hasn't the Federation been experiencing boredom-grade peace for several decades? If I lived in TNG S2 world, I would oppose a warship too.

 

[fireproof78]

I remember the episode, not the dialogue, but sounds right for TNG S2. Up to this point, aside from conflict with the Cardassians, hasn't the Federation been experiencing boredom-grade peace for several decades? If I lived in TNG S2 world, I would oppose a warship too.

Except for the Tzebkethi War, Talarian War, and Tholian War yup, no wars.

ETA: dialogue from Peak Performance


KOLRAMI (tactical instructor): Correct. Engineering will disconnect the Enterprise's weapons and link the system with the modified laser-pulse beam. All hits will be recorded electronically. If the computer registers damage, it will act accordingly, shutting down the affected areas for the appropriate repair time. Additional questions? Captain Picard, it is my understanding that you initially resisted Starfleet's request for this simulation.
PICARD: Yes.
KOLRAMI: May I know why?
PICARD: Starfleet is not a military organisation. Its purpose is exploration.
KOLRAMI: Then why am I here?
PICARD: With the Borg threat, I decided that my officers and I needed to hone our tactical skills. In a crisis situation, it is prudent to have several options.
RIKER: I prefer brains over brawn as well. I think it's a waste of effort to test our combat skills. It's a minor province in the make-up of a starship captain.
KOLRAMI: Your objection is noted. Let us hope your distaste for the exercise will not affect your strategic abilities.

 

[Admiral Jean-Luc Picard]

Except for the Tzebkethi War, Talarian War, and Tholian War yup, no wars.

ETA: dialogue from Peak Performance


KOLRAMI (tactical instructor): Correct. Engineering will disconnect the Enterprise's weapons and link the system with the modified laser-pulse beam. All hits will be recorded electronically. If the computer registers damage, it will act accordingly, shutting down the affected areas for the appropriate repair time. Additional questions? Captain Picard, it is my understanding that you initially resisted Starfleet's request for this simulation.
PICARD: Yes.
KOLRAMI: May I know why?
PICARD: Starfleet is not a military organisation. Its purpose is exploration.
KOLRAMI: Then why am I here?
PICARD: With the Borg threat, I decided that my officers and I needed to hone our tactical skills. In a crisis situation, it is prudent to have several options.
RIKER: I prefer brains over brawn as well. I think it's a waste of effort to test our combat skills. It's a minor province in the make-up of a starship captain.
KOLRAMI: Your objection is noted. Let us hope your distaste for the exercise will not affect your strategic abilities.

Tzebkethi, Talarians, who are they? What wars? There was a war with the Tholians? When?
The episode reads as Picard and Riker being overly confident in their abilities given they live in an era that's virtually conflict free. In S2 which spans 22 episodes, there's maybe what, 3 space battles?
Starfleet IS a military organization whether Picard wants to admit it or not.
If Starfleet is not the military: who is?