Trekyards EP193 - NX-01/Akira Comparison - with Doug Drexler (Part 2)

Join us for Part 2 of our discussion with Doug Drexler on the similarities and differences between the NX-01 and the Akira. Its a great episode full of great insights from Doug himself.
Here is the link for Part 1 of the discussion:
• Trekyards EP191 - NX-...
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[@kokodin5895]

his video should not be a two part one, but it is one of the most interesting on your channel. The question "why they look similar" has been answered, and the answer is satisfactory. thank you

[@Trekyardswebseries]

kokodin 2 Parts due to length.

[@MrSheckstr]

kokodin there is a semi scientific theory as to how long a KZbin video should be to get optimized amount of viewing. Too short and some people won't watch because subconsciously they will feel it must not be important enough to watch, too long and someone may not want to commit that big of a block. Same theory has been going on in television (and before that radio) from everything from Sesame Street segments to full television shows to movie lengths. That's why cooking shows and sitcoms are 22 minutes and more dramatic shows are 46 minutes

[@JakeWerkmeister]

I always liked the NX-01, and assumed that the events of First Contact somewhat altered early Starfleet designs. It certainly explains why this Enterprise exists despite the fact that it was never mentioned in Star Trek Canon prior to 2001. Given the precedence set by the TNG episode "Parallels", as well as the altered universe, it makes sense that this ship exists and has a slight 24th Century aesthetic. Dr. Cochran and Lilly Sloan were both instrumental in developing the first warp starships. They both saw the Enterprise-E. The designs they brought to the table would be a mix of known and available technologies as well as design elements of a late 24th Century ship that they knew about.

[@thribs]

The events of First Contact always happened. If not you get the Mirror Iniverse.

[@wierdalien1]

Robert Hayes first contact happens but their memories can still be different

[@sketchpro12]

Thanks for this video, as the designer of the Akira Class, I never quite heard the whole story from the studio POV. I feel honored that the Akira was such a fan fave to have any influence on the line of the Enterprise! And like Doug said, we are all just working with kit parts and rearranging them. I also had the advantage of having far more established ships in the timeline to borrow from. But again I’m honored to have made my mark on my first Trek project, First Contact! Doug and John Eaves as well as the Okuda’s did an amazing job bringing our doodles to life with such history and believability. Live long and prosper all! And be kind! Cheers- Alx J

[@jacobvaughn9276]

Doug, I love how absolutely adorable you act.... how could anyone be angry at this nice old man?

[@Galvars]

Old... ?!

[@jacobvaughn9276]

Galvars yes? why are you asking? I'm just saying I like the guy

[@Galvars]

Doug with his never ending enthusiasm, humour and energy mixed with strong personality is soooo NOT "nice old man".

[@jacobvaughn9276]

Humor, energy and passion is exactly what makes"nice old men" memorable, it's the type of guy who just has a good time living his life, and you can't help but love.

[@ethanforster]

Nice young man you mean

[@novax-ig9yt]

Three Comments to Doug Drexler: 1. The NX-01 Enterprise is not only one of my top 10 favorite sci fi ships, but it is in the top 5 favorite all time Star Trek ships 2. The NX 01 looks far superior to the Akira 3. The NX 01 looks much better than the Daedalus, but it would have been fun to see a Daedalus class as a guest ship. 4. I want to hear and see more about the 3-nacelle ring concept NX ship! That design looks cool! 5. First I heard of the TMP refit being considered for the Enterprise-D! How did it go from almost being the E-D, to a mandate of no TMP Connies allowed in TNG\DS9\VOY??!! 6. Keep coming back to Trekyards. You are a very fun guest and I always look forward to episodes with you in them!

[@gmon78]

Really enjoyed that, thanks guys:) Doug seems like he'd be an awesome guy to sit and shoot the shit with. Really nice of him to even take the time to engage with the fans like this. Much appreciated!

[@saquist]

Indeed. You have to respect a mans willingness to bare it all. It says he's strong enough to defend himself and take the criticism.

[@guillermosacchetti4640]

I love Doug Drexler. He has a logical explanation for any technical detail that ask him. Perfect mix between humor and technology. I love Doug. Good video. Thank you

[@JacksonCrowley]

These ones with Doug are among my favorites, his personality and insight are so amazing and logical, and he has a sense of wonder I really enjoy.

[@jaysus620]

Ultimately, though, thanks to everyone involved for doing this two-parter. It's great to finally have this discussion and to tell the elephant in the room, "Sorry we've been ignoring you, buddy - you want a beer?"

[@howardoberg5847]

NX-01 is also one of favorite designs. Good to hear Doug explain so much about it.

[@simonkerr3048]

I love both the Akira and the NX, the Akira is my favourite design besides the Excelsior, & I noticed the similarity straight away and I appreciated it.

[@LAJohn]

Doug Drexler, Sir you are a delight. You're always fun, a brilliant designer and your insights are spot on. Thank You

[@thomasgrayson3378]

Here here! Again gotta love Doug's passion and it's always fascinating to here his view on Star Trek ship design, cheers again guys for this!

[@ReaverLordTonus]

Already gave my two cents in part one, but I will add that I think filling in that gap between the booms would have made the ship a little more distinct and could have prevented some (not all to be sure) of the criticism people have given it. Personally, I would have made it so the center would stop short halfway down the booms so there's a large cut out in the back and I would have curved it so with the the saucer it would almost look like the star fleet logo on the TNG combadge. The Kelvinverse version of the NX kind of did that with its hull design which is why to me that was the NX-01 we should have gotten.

[@xanderguldie]

People who say that the NX looks too advanced compared tot the Constitution should check their heads. 40 years have past since the first series. You can't go back to that. I personally like the NX very much. It looks like an advanced Marine vessel and it breaths star trek at the same time.

[@thunderwazp6595]

Enterprise is the series that introduced me to Star Trek. And it's thanks to that I found this channel and became a Trekkie.

[@loreacat]

Love Mr. Drexler! Just Brilliant

[@snyderman001]

When Doug is on, it's a must watch video. I have no issues with Doug's designs. I imagine he went through hundreds of iterations to create the studio design. I always imagined the designs like being the difference between a Ford and a Mercury, you can only tweak so much.

[@thribs]

His talk about the aircraft carrier reminded me on Clarkson's thoughts about the Porsche 911 line. :)

[@captainsinclair7954]

You're so right. Clarkson was the man when Top Gear had him on the show

[@dhindaravrel8712]

The primary criticism isn't that the NX-01 looks so much like the Akira (which it does more than any other two ships compared, in my opinion) but that there is such a large gap in time between the two. Ships that share components are usually contemporary vessels. Galaxy, Nebula and New Orleans were designed together, Connie Refit and the Miranda work because they're in the same era. Now, if the NX-01 had come first (in RL time) with the Akira being built as a nod to the old times, I don't think as many people would have complained. I remember that when TNG came out, many people complained that the new Enterprise didn't look enough like the classic Connie. So I guess no matter where you stand on the issue, there's no right and wrong. I agree with Doug Drexler that some people just want to see the world burn. It's in the way some people criticise. I see a lot of criticism of Abrams Trek that is poorly worded and covered in expletives. Now I hate Abrams Trek myself, but once you stoop to that level, you can't expect to make a point and be taken seriously. That said, not all negative criticism can be equated with negativity or a negative personality. Many people find little faults here and there and they point them out because that's the only way to bring them to the attention of those people in charge of improving things. I'd have preferred seeing the Daedalus class in the role of the NX, personally, but that's largely because I'm a stickler for continuity and we shouldn't even have had a ship called Enterprise at this time, based on the various ship lineups and displays they've done in the films and on TNG. Now, I think the NX-01 becomes perfect WITH the secondary hull added in the unofficial refit which sadly never saw the light of day. Aside from the original series Constitution (which I love flying on STO), the NX Refit would be perfect for me to fly around in.

[@tonymilligan8380]

I enjoyed listening to Doug explain the design concepts on the Akira and NX-01 ships. I have always liked both ships and never had a problem with the similar looks, unlike others I heard when Enterprise came out. I am a big model builder fan of Star Trek and built 1 of 2 kits I have of the NX, 1/350th scale kit. I was a joy to build and the kit fit together quite well. Hoping to light the next one in the future. I also enjoyed the part of how Doug explained the evolution of the designs and love it.

[@CommandLineVulpine]

Love the NX. Wish we could have gotten to see the refit on screen, I think that would have put down most of the haters - suddenly the design idea becomes clear.

[@UnknownUzer]

The NX-01 looks even better than the Akira

[@c.a.cunningham5424]

I don't always agree with what Doug has to say. But I love hearing his opinions and the behind the scenes stuff. He's clearly a smart guy. It's always a treat to have him on.

[@rochat]

I really like those other concept sketches and especially the one that looks more like the traditional Enterprise design (albeit too modern for it's intended era), but I think the NX-01 we got is the best one. It fits when you see the evolution of the Enterprise.

[@czarpeppers6250]

Nothing like having one of your videos going on my other monitor while I play Elite Dangerous.

[@freagarthach4228]

Mr. Drexler saying, I know those ships inside and out, instantly reminded me of LaForge. What a true engineer spirit.

[@lasarith2]

I loved the NX class, and the opening theme - the only thing is I don't agree with having the upbeat version of it on season 3 it's a year of war, and they decided to upbeat the opening theme -was perfect for season 4 I didn't want a happy theme then see Archer and the rest with there constantly depressed faces.

[@Firenza]

I just imagined a kid seeing the NX-01 in the museum, who grew up to become a ship designer and was simply influenced by that childhood memory.

[@jonathonearl482]

@Doug, I want to encourage you to keep doing what you are doing! Everyone needs to watch this episode of Trekyards. Doug makes a lot of valuable points explaining why the ships share the same features and why its necessary. You are doing an awesome job designing these ships. Also, all though the NX-01 refit is cool... I like your original NX-01 much better without the secondary hull. The NX-01 is my favorite ship design thus far. I like all the features of the NX-01. My 2nd favorite ship design is the Galaxy class. I also like the design of the DS9 station and the USS Discovery (I hope this design doesn't change too much). There you have it! Those are some of my most favorite ships of Star Trek.

[@joshuacalkins]

Great to hear this guy discuss ship design! The NX is a tremendous ship, and in many ways my favorite. Puzzling that you don't let Mr. Drexler talk himself hoarse, as I would have kept listening indefinitely. Was somebody late for dinner? 😋

[@CubanWriter]

My biggest lament about the NX-01 is all the shit the designer has been force-fed over it all these years.

[@mikecharest5261]

I love this channel and I follow it almost religiously

[@captainsinclair7954]

Doug Drexler, calm down. Your work is awesome

[@captainsinclair7954]

Also, Notification Squad, WHERE R U!

[@ClarinetgirlMelissa]

Sorry to Nitpick, but the 1st picture of the Saratoga was the Forrestal-class USS Saratoga (CV-60) built in 1950s, not the Lexington-class USS Saratoga (CV-3) built in the 1920s.

[@kronos6948]

I understand the mindset of reusing aesthetics when making Starfleet ships, but what Doug is missing is that the Akira was supposed to show an advancement in design, just like Voyager and the E (which share design elements) have advanced designs by nixing the neck for example. But throughout the continuity, there wasn't a ship that looked similar to the Akira, and, as I've said, the Akira was advanced ship design. Using this for the NX class totally invalidates those improvements. To go with his aircraft carrier analogy, he should look at the HMS Ark Royal from 1914 and compare that with any modern carrier and you will see the differences. Also, the point about the doors on the back of the saucer being form follows function, on the Akira, that would be true. But since the NX has the center pod between the pontoons at the same level as those doors on the back, landing in those bays would prove highly difficult since you have to avoid the pod.

[@CaptRobertApril]

Are they still doing awards for Star Trek online stuff? Because this one and Part 1 need to be recognized.

[@cadsux]

Those "doodads" found on the twin booms of the P-38 Lightning were Superchargers & exhaust turbine assemblies for the 1425 hp piston Allison engines, not unlike a Muscle Car. So, when Mr. Drexler gave his explanation of being "power transfer units that accelerate the energy down the boom...", it's pretty much spot on!

[@kazzar831]

I never really thought about the visual look of the NX to the Akira until someone mentioned it, but even after seeing it, I felt the same way Doug did; it's a Starfleet ascetic. I grew up watching TOS reruns, and watching TNG/DS9/VOY as they aired, and I actually loved Enterprise and the NX. When I play STO, the first thing I do when I get back to space dock on a new character is put up the crappy starter Miranda and pull out my C-Store NX, cause it just looks so much sleeker, and even performs better in STO.

[@MatthewHendrickson]

Something I’ve wondered is would it be possible to refit the Enterprise NX01 with Defiant NX74205 type warp core, and some of its phaser components? There’s been a number of episodes across various series where ships of different eras came either from the past, to the future, or alternate timeline.

[@Cyberwolfman]

I remember all of that vitriol online when Enterprise came out. I stayed the hell out of it. I enjoyed the show and the ship.

[@thribs]

I was on the internet back then and I never saw any of this. I must have been on nice websites. :)

[@CubanWriter]

Oh, I had many disappointments about Enterprise. This is because I had an idea of what I wanted the show to be, and it did not match the idea that the showrunners had. I will always consider it a missed opportunity to cater to my whims. ;-)

[@thribs]

CubanWriter What did you want it to be?

[@CubanWriter]

Oh, I wanted a show with a basic, bulky ship. No phasers or photon torpedoes. No transporters. No quick travel, because low-warp is slow. Taking a month or more to get anywhere would have been routine. A show that culminated on an event like the Romulan War, which put the fledgeling fleet to the ultimate test. I wanted less angry Vulcans, too. I sure didn't want another Scott Bakula show with a time travel plot. I didn't want to see 24th century aliens or 24th century ships. I didn't want to see cloaking devices, which seemed like a new and terrible technology in TOS. Pretty much every choice they made for Enterprise went against the grain of my expectations. I suspect that was true for a lot of people. I think that's why there was such an intense reaction to it. The people who were happiest were the people without any expectations. They could just relax and enjoy themselves without the sensation of being disappointed.

[@cpltrickie]

What 24th century aliens did they were in the show?

[@MelodicMetalX]

Man, I could listen to Doug speak for hours on end... with that said, I wish they'd ask him what are he's thoughts about the USS Franklin from Beyond? And also, about Eric Henry's redesign NX-07.

[@deanlewis4008]

I went from liking Doug Drexler to LOVING him. His take-down of troll-Trekkies was spot on perfect.

[@paulwarren9927]

Absolutely agree 100%. Federation ships ALL look similar because they are SUPPOSED to look similar. Just as Doug Drexler said, it's ridiculous to claim that a particular design is a "rip off" of some previous design...because, by that logic, EVERY Fed design is just "ripping" off Matt Jefferies' original Connie. That whole line of reasoning is just absurd! Look, I've never particularly liked ST:ENT (except season 4) , but even *I'm* tired of the "upside down Akira" nonsense. If the NX-01 is a "rip off" then so is every other Federation ship designed post-TOS, including the Miranda, Excelsior, Ambassador, Galaxy, Sovereign, etc, etc, etc.

[@jacksteckel9132]

Myself I've always liked the NX and looking like the Akira was part of the reason that I liked it. I liked the Akira as well and thought that it was nice that the NX was giving it some lineage in cannon. I'm also a big fan of the WWII plane the P-38 Lightning, and was glad to see it mentioned here. I always assumed that the bits on top of the booms where cooling systems, because in the P-38 those are the radiators. You know form following function.

[@firet101]

I personally have always loved how similar the ships could be because he's right functioned before fashion is a big thing for me personally, the ships were too different. I would get annoyed because they would no longer be practical or believable. So I love that he did things this way and all the designers did things this way

[@Mephilis78]

Well, I never had a problem with the shape of the NX. In fact. I didn't notice the resemblance to the Akira until I started playing STO.

[@Thegoldrater]

Guys in your image at 10:55 that is not the Enterprise-B, that is the USS Excelsior with the experimental trans-warp drive that failed which can be recognized by the blue tinted nacelles on top.

[@power543]

Nope that is the Enterprise B because it has the added second set of impulse engines to the saucer...the NX and NCC Excelsior only have the original pair of engines

[@Thegoldrater]

power543 sorry I had it mixed up, the blue nacelles came afterwards, my bad.

[@katschaccc]

Thank you mr. Drexler good word 👍🏻

[@TDBoedy]

They are both beautiful ships and first class. I love em both for what they are. I would love to see a Star Trek animated/anime aboard an Akira class set some time in the post Borg-war era dealing with the Typhon Pact.

[@aaroNiGHTS]

I really love the NX-01, it's my favorite ship. Drexler for President!

[@still_guns]

When Doug talked about the USS Saratoga and the USS John F Kennedy, there was some weird things. First, Doug says the John F Kennedy was built in 2016. It wasn't, it was built in the 60's. Second, Doug says the USS Saratoga built in the 1920's, but the image shown is of the USS Saratoga built in the 1950's.

[@quincy8557]

ships with a flat top and a island will always look similar !

[@still_guns]

quincy8557 That's only partly true though,. USS Saratoga CV-3 looks markedly different from USS Saratoga CV-60. USS Gerald R Ford CVN-78 is a world away from HMS Queen Elizabeth. Besides, that's not what my original comment was about. I was pointing out errors.

[@thribs]

I was hoping they would call the new carrier the Enterprise-A

[@still_guns]

Robert Hayes It doesn't work like that. The US Navy does not reuse old registry numbers. You will not see a USS Enterprise CV-65-A

[@thribs]

still_guns Maybe one day. :)

[@SIG442]

I will have to agree with Doug on the fact that even after 50 years you still can find new and amazing ways to mix up the same basic components to make something completely new. It's something I love about the Star Trek series, it does not pretend to be something that it is not. It just shows basic evolution for it's ships which is a normal thing in the real world as well. So why complain about it? 5:55 that chart, can we download that somewhere? I would love to have that one and have it printed! :D Doug, I am 34 and I still love your Enterprise NX-01 ship. Loved it from the moment I seen it for the first time! I don't think I would have done things different, perhaps a few minor details that would be personal choices. But aside from that, it is a very well designed ship and it does what it was designed for.

[@DLZ2000]

I remember seeing the 1701-E for the first time and I did actually think the blended hull/saucer profile looked like Voyager, while the deflector looked like the Excelsior and the pylons looked like the 1701-A. I thought it was a classic look, and loved the design from the beginning. I never had a problem with that, and never had huge problems with the NX-01, though I thought the saucer could have maybe looked a bit more like the 1701, with the thicker edge and steeper slope. But even the idea of a saucer has grown on me for the NX-class. To me, a sphere seems like something for a colony ship or a ship with extensive relief effort capabilities, something NX definitely doesn't have. So, I think that a ship with a small crew of 80 people would definitely only need a few decks, which a saucer would imply. Fan anger is silly. Trek is about the philosophy, the characters, and the stories, in that order. Of course, I did see 1701-E online first. I don't remember if it was a website showing the Master System Display, or one of the trailers. So, I'd say 1701-E was probably the first Internet ship for me. Voyager, I saw in The Art of Star Trek, and DS9 I saw at my first convention 10/3/1992.

[@togoboldly]

Doug Drexler!!! What a legend :-D.

[@gordon5004]

I have come to love the NX-01. Mr. Drexler seems really cool.

[@cadsux]

That central hub between the 2 engines did end up having aft torpedoes launching from it, despite Mr. Drexler's intent of not being a weapons pod.

[@kingdave31]

I have my problems with Enterprise, but they're with the writing. Doug Drexler's design work is above reproach and his love for Star Trek is obvious in every frame of the show.

[@danielhenzphotography]

So that means the NX ist the first 3-nacelle design?

[@matthewknobel6954]

I personally love the blended hull designs (voyager, NX-01, Ent-E). Personally I would like to see influence of other races into the design.

[@trealosgaming3345]

Drexler is awesome. loved his rant and he is right. i think the nx is one of the best designed hero ships ever. it gave a glimps of what they started with. you could see the hints to the future(ncc-1701).

[@johnriches80]

Did I go the NX looks like the Akira Class? Yes I did. But I love the Akira Class so I loved the NX. Also the the two things on either side of the bridge of the Akira are shield generators. They're there to provide additional shielding for the bridge.

[@shawn2780]

When the information for Enterprise came out, I thought it was an obvious cop-out to 'use the Akira', and I thought it looked too modern to be pre-TOS. This was most definitely a lot of people thought at the time, and I'm sure many never moved past it. It really didn't take long (I'd say even before the end of Broken Bow) that I changed my mind. It's now one of my favourite ships. Looking back, you can point out so many of the similarities.. but it has such a unique aesthetic compared to any other ship before or after. The almost complete lack of hard sharp angles (everything's softened, curved- even the straight parts) and especially the hull colouring and detail- which really is unique- just make it look old. Even side by side with the Constitution, to me it immediately looks less refined, primitive. I mean that as the highest compliment- that's exactly what it's supposed to be. I wonder if these type of high resolution images and comparisons were available back in 2001 to show how absurd it is to call the Akira and the NX the same, if Doug would have had a lot less stressful 15 years....

[@jasonludewig4126]

A great video, about my favorite ship. I would love to hear Doug's opinion on the Discovery.

[@Promance2300]

I always liked the NX, to be honest. I totally get what Doug is saying.

[@kalajel]

Doug's "form following function" makes a load of sense. If you have a design that works and is successful, why would you risk drastically changing ti to something which might not work as well or be successful? Yes, small variations from the base form are to be expected, depending on function, but the base form should remain.

[@adamlytle2615]

I think the only thing that threw me off when they first revealed the NX-01 was how "sleek" and streamlined it was compared to the Constitution class. At that point the only TOS and pre TOS ships I knew about were the Conny and the Daedalus class. And to me, the Daedalus seemed more clunky than the Conny, so it it seemed odd that the precursor ship to both would be so much more streamlined. BUT - just as with the sets and props used on the show, I can totally understand how they would have had to walk the fine line between looking like it was somehow more primitive than TOS, but also made with modern sensibilities and production techniques in mind. Overall I think they did about as good a job as one could expect given such a tricky mandate.

[@kalajel]

And the P-38 is my favorite plane of all time. :D

[@rickmeyer9495]

I have to disagree with Doug that form follows function in the ST universe. Look at the differences in design between all the major powers in the ST universe. If they were all beholden to a uniform set of "physics" there would be convergence to a common ship architecture. Look at how most cars seem to look alike today because of air flow considerations. This could be true for warp bubble considerations in ST.

[@PhilDrury]

Just because we haven't seen an "obvious design lineage" between the two classes, doesn't mean they didn't exist. I love the design of the NX-01, I prefer the NX-02's deflector and I admit that I would have prefered something more Daedalus, but what we got is just fine. We know there is a relationship between warp field and hull geometry, so it's entirely possible that somebody pulled out the old NX designs and updated then as it was necessary for some reason. The impulse crystal on the Constitution refit could easily be a warp field governer - because it was required - and indeed, the refit has one on each nacelle. There are literally hunreds of reasons why the two ships would be the same in addition to the obvious ones you guys have stated.

[@orinokonx01]

I love the design of the NX, and I always have. I always knew that Doug had designed the NX in such a way that the Akira could be a future design loosely based on the NX, just like how he described it with the aircraft carriers. It makes sense! Nope, wonderful ship and it very much suited the era in which it was designed for!

[@WarthogRacer]

I always liked the NX-01.

[@t9r1o59]

Hey Trekyards, if you guys ever get a chance, ask a ship designer why they ignore the laws of motion so much. I mean, where the hell are the brakes? They always give us these big impulse engines on the back to thrust the ships forward, but they never seem to want to give us engines of equal power facing forward to slow or stop the ships later on. As far as I know, Voyager is the only one that even hinted at forward facing impulse vents. How do all the other ships stop?

[@XTINFILM]

RCS thrusters? They either didn't put the effect in, or the exhaust isn't visible.

[@t9r1o59]

Well, yeah, they do usually include several RCS thrusters, and they seem to be in appropriate places, but if the thrusters are all they need to decelerate a ship, then they'd also be all they need to make one go, and the impulse engines would be totally redundant and a waste of deck space. I don't think that's it, but thanks.

[@XTINFILM]

Think of it this way - the RCS thrusters are enough to make the ship "go," but it takes the impulse engine to make it "go like hell." At the end of "Into Darkness," the Enterprise is shown hovering and climbing on RCS thrusters, which means greater than 1g acceleration. That's enough to get from Earth to Mars in less than two days. With the impulse engine the Enterprise could get up to .8C (IIRC, been a while since I've read the technical manual) and be there in minutes. The RCS thrusters can absolutely get the Enterprise to Mars though, if you're willing to wait a little longer. I can't think of a situation where a Star Trek ship was shown slowing down from relativistic speeds. Usually when they come to a stop, it's from what looks to be hundreds of miles per hour or tens of miles per hour. The RCS thrusters can do that, although the effect may show it being done too quickly. Or it may be accurate. I'm not doing the math. The impulse engine is shown glowing all the time, but so are the Bussard scoops, and the warp engines at sub light speeds. I think it just means they're on and ready, not that they're doing anything. Unless the Captain has ordered an impulse speed, the ship is probably moving on RCS thrusters.

[@t9r1o59]

But reaction control thrusters are for maneuvering, not general propulsion. And if the impulse engines are there to make the ship go like hell, at a rate of acceleration beyond the capability of the RCS thrusters, then it only makes sense that they would also need something beyond the capability of the RCS thrusters to decelerate as they approach their destination. Or are we supposed to believe that they fire the impulse engines for a short time to get up to near light speed, and then have to burn the forward thrusters constantly for the entire rest of the trip to slow back down again? That doesn't make much sense, does it? Also, being able to accelerate really fast and then having to take forever to decelerate on thrusters would be a huge tactical problem for the sometimes militaristic roles of Starfleet vessels. I actually think this whole thing is just a sci-fi flub on the part of the producers and the ship designers, but there is at least one solution I can think of that would fit nicely into the Star Trek universe: vectored thrust via force fields. Star Trek loves force fields. They do all kinds of things with force fields, from sealing off hull breaches to making 3D holograms, not to mention being able to open the shuttle bay doors without depressurizing the deck. A good 'Trekish' sci-fi solution could simply be variable geometry force fields that can vector thrust from the impulse engines in any direction they want. An answer like that would probably satisfy me, but I'd like to hear how the producers and ship designers explain it themselves. If the Trekyards guys ever talk to people like Drexler or Sternbach again, I really hope they ask. As a side note, 'Into Darkness' isn't prime canon and nothing in it matters. None of JJ's ridiculous crap does, like building the Enterprise on the surface instead of in an orbital spacedock, or being able to fly it underwater. I'm not a fan of JJ's 'Trek In Name Only' alternate timeline uber-action flicks at all. Didn't even bother watching the last one.

[@XTINFILM]

The TNG technical manual says there is a thrust vectoring system for the impulse drive, but it's done with physical vanes in the exhaust. That doesn't definitively rule out thrust vectoring with force fields, but it indicates they don't use that technology. IMO the answer is that when you see them come to a stop from what appears to be a slow speed, they're using RCS thrusters. When you see them change directions in combat, they make a big curving turn until they're facing the opposite direction, then use the impulse engine. It makes less sense than flipping the ship over, but Star Trek and Star Wars ships fly like airplanes, not spaceships. I can get over it. Every show can't do the same thing.

[@Optimusx1]

Using the Akira lock stock and barrel would've left a terrible legacy. Doug's work to modify the design, within the guidelines of what the producers wanted, saved Enterprise. The detail and thought behind the ship is what makes it great, and makes the NX-01 one of my favorite designs.

[@Wadethewallaby2001]

I have his headset!

[@danielmashmann3644]

Great Video Guys as always, for me I never really had a problem with Star Trek Enterprise, I thought it was a good Prequel to TOS, loved the opening to the show, though the continuity always seemed a little off, like the initial meeting with the Klingons, as stated by Picard in the First Contact Episode(Can't remember the title) of TNG "Disastrous First contact with the Klingon Empire lead to decades of War." I saw no war following first contact, but little things like that kinda never really got me into the show. But I actually loved the design of the NX, it had a very utilitarian design, every thing had a function, I even liked it more that both the Conni and the Galaxy Classes, the Galaxy I liked at first but after looking into it more I felt it was more of a dud than a success. as for the Conni, I actually preferred the refit to the original design, and really that was because of the lack of detail of the model, and the fact the bridge looked like a four year old took a bedazzler to the consoles, it was definitely a 70s design, lots of bright colors created by people that were definitely high on something at the time. As for the Akira Class, it's my favorite design, it's a sleek, powerful design, and I actually like it move that Voyager, which is my favorite series, mostly because using the Intrepid Class, a Light Explorer, was used to enter the most contested region of Federation Space during a time of Political Grandstanding was happening between the Federation and the Cardassian Union, in which they would but their most powerful ships on missions that ran along the border as a show of force. But to send a small lightly aremed ship instead never made sense, they should have sent an Akira instead. Anyway, total tangent there sorry, should probably finish here to avoid another tangent, but to one final reason I always liked the Akira was the fact it was named after my favorite Anime movie. That's it i'm done, no more tangents.

[@jmslazarus]

i never saw the issue with the NX-01 - it was a fine ship that I instantly liked, and I appreciated the lineage with the Akira and the proto-TOS nacelles. I didn't really like the overal deflector but it didn't piss me off. the Enterprise theme song though, was absolutely terrible. :)

[@saquist]

-So true. The joy of the variation of starships is that which only Trek enjoys. -Yes form follows function is what makes Trek believable. -Using a ship from the future in a past iteration is called creative bankruptcy. -I don't think it looks anything like the Constitution Class. I've been doing art a long time. Any laymen could tell which the NX-01 was derived from -I think filling in the ridiculous over engineered gaps would have made a lot of sense and made it structurally sound. (I personally would have offered that option) -Yes Samuel that is exactly the same structure on the Akira. (I never noticed) Sorry Drexler I love your passion but the defintion of ripoff is "something that is too much like something made by someone else" Yes the other Enterprises have something similar but not the same form and structure. Ultimately having that same structure on the NX just isn't necessary. -Yes the Constitution looks more frail BUT it's 124 years in the future. The NX wouldn't have all the magic field and magic material benefits. -Yes some people would have still ripped it apart just because the series was BAD and how they rewrote continuity. -NO DOUG. That's not the perfect place of those impulse engines. Physics implores positioning thrust at the center of Gravity. Those locations work ONLY for Akira Class because the Engine Mass hung bellow and the greater Mass of the saucer was above. That's the problem with copy paste designing. (Yes of course the Constitution has the engines in the wrong place TOO BUT Galaxy Class Fixed that problem! That's a Good designer! -That's COOL I always noticed there was a Connie connection with the impulse engines. Very nice. Ultimately, I love your passion Doug Drexler. I disagree with somethings but my perspective is that you did what you were told and I enjoyed the defense of the NX-01. If everyone agreed on art it would be dull and boring.

[@laviliterthefirst]

I think the problem was that Fans wanted the Daedalus and felt like it was wrong because what they got was reused defiant interior and Akira outside(not my opinion), then a-holes started using this frustration to get their a-holyness out by whipping up a frenzy about it. I think if they just had the deadalus in the show and explained why it's not a deadalus as its a test bed ship or something it would have made people forgive a lot faster. I love the ship.

[@JeromeTriplett]

I am old enough to know better, and the NX-01 is still my favorite Enterprise. It was the first Eaglemoss model I bought.

[@williammay5300]

Doug, keep designing cool ships. With certain parts other ships designed into a brand new ship, it makes it look they are the same fleet. Live long and prosper.

[@randybentley2633]

I can understand the want to have the saucer only design from the very beginning to have the potential for evolution. After seeing the refit NX-01 and then being cheated out of seeing it on screen beautifully gliding by, it made me wish that it was the design chosen to be used from the very beginning.

[@MrSheckstr]

I like the open area with the two doors.... in my mind it makes a lot of sense as far as docking with a station and resupplying sort of like the way at airports the way jumbo jets dock with the movable enclosed walkways. I see the NX being flown into a Space dock hanger getting locked into an over under cradle. Then having some sort of L or £ shape turbo lift system hooking up to those doors then personnel can use the port side door to exit the ship and take the lift UP to the habitat section of the station while maintenance and resupply use service the ship from the underside using the starboard door. Going beyond that I have always felt that Star fleet vessels should have external turbo lifts hatches that would allow themselves to hard dock with Star Fleet station and integrate with its existing turbolift systems

[@S1nwar]

the discovery is beautiful

[@thribs]

You must be drunk. :)

[@fatenabu1]

I would love a NX Refit in STO as a higher level ship, like a fleet version of the NX or something

[@droken5760]

I used to despise Enterprise, but over the past few years, Enterprise has become my favorite series and almost favorite ship Voyager takes 1st in my book.

[@GregoryMCMAHON817]

Very cool video.

[@wingsabre]

Instead of filling the space in on the NX, I wouldn't mind seeing an extended spine from the saucer to the pod. Like having three pontoons instead of two.

[@tobynobel5671]

I always loved the NX01! I grew up on TNG, I remember waiting for the next week's new episodes, so the Enterprise D will always hold a special spot. But I love the NX01, especially the "submarine" aesthetic to the interior. I thought it was fantastic, and resembled other ships, like mentioned in the video. What federation ship doesn't look like another federation ship? I also like the JJ ships, that seem to be hated. I kinda liked the "windshield" being added to the bridge, thought it was an original concept for Star Trek, freeing from the submarine confines. I've noticed lately that "fans" seems to be the worst or harshest critics, especially Star Trek and Star Wars.

[@S1nwar]

im pretty sure that the problem is not that general design asthetics are copied in star trek but that the design of 2 random ships is similar while no other ships inbetween are similar to it.

[@lucian6273]

I love this!

[@willpatterson2986]

I love the designs of both the NX and Akira class Starships. they fit together with the Starfleet designs of ships. Starfleet looked at the first design, fell in love with it and made it a mandate to construct future ships using similar designs. besides they are part of the same fleet and history if someone went from the past to the future, they would like to still tell Starfleet ships from alien ships and vise versa. this is Starfleet and I believe they made a great choice in ship design

[@DarthRepublican]

If I'm ever falsely accused of murder, I want my lawyer to have at least half the passion of Doug Drexler.

[@ZeroB4NG]

I think people just wanted the new "old" PRE-TOS Ship to look and feel older than the Constitution and it just doesn't for many, because it looks so damn good and detailed, that it takes so many elements from the Akira just exaggerated that impression. I know some people that were just casually into Trek (they just watched it on TV because they knew i was watching it and got sucked in a bit by it etc.) and they said, without me asking, they didn't like ENT because of the prequel thing and the show looking much more modern than TOS. I really think by now, if ENT had been bold enough to do a modern Retro show, with CRT Monitors and clicky clacky black and white monitors on the bridge or whatever... like something they would have thought of being SciFi in the 60s but would be ridiculous in the now. Kinda almost Steampunky if you will. People might have accepted that more than the attempt to do a prequel of something like TOS.... but to modernize it so it is believable in the now, but clashes when you watch TOS afterwards and... you know what i mean. I love the Akira, when i've first seen the NX-01 i didn't even notice the similarities, it was a complete new Ship for me. That all being said, i would have had NO problem if they had made a Show with just the Akira as the Hero ship but put it in the 24th century instead of the prequel thing. In fact i wouldn't mind if they did that today. ...and did anybody have a Problem with the Franklin in Beyond looking so much like the NX-01? People noticed it but i got the impression that most thought it was a nice nod to ENT. So yeah i really think the prequel thing was the reason and the Akira thing was just an excuse to throw more shade at ENT as a whole because it was an easy target for the ENT haters. ...and frankly i'm very concerned that the exact same thing might repeat with ST Discovery.

[@enterprise-h312]

I have seen people wonder why they did not use the XCV-330 for Star Trek: Enterprise. The Constitution is nice, but it is the gold-standard of Federation Starfleet. In 2167 the USS Essex (NCC-173) was lost. The interior could stay the same as it was for the NX, but the Daedalus-class feels more era-appropriate.

[@XTINFILM]

I'm not bothered by the Franklin because it isn't a hero ship. The only thing I dislike about the Franklin is the oval shaped saucer. I don't think the oval should show up until the TNG era. It's not killing me though.

[@XTINFILM]

+Enterprise-H - NASA's warp ship concept would have been nearly perfect - bit.ly/2e2zDEy The thick rings are technically correct but visually off. The surface texturing though, wow, you can see that leading into the TOS Connie. I can easily imagine the TOS Connie actually had that surface treatment.

[@jaycannau]

I love Dougs passion for the NX-01 to hell with the haters I love the NX-01 it's one of my favourites.

[@willcaputo1]

Good, Good, young Drexler! Give in to your anger! Let the hate flow through you!

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

I feel Doug took what the execs wanted and made a good design. I see the points he makes sense as a evolution design, but we never seen a drastic evolution of the exterior design other the the "All Good things" Enterprise but that was "Q" influenced future. Those that bring up the TMP Enterprise that was not a physical evolution, such as adding a third nacelle. I agree that it should have been a modified Dadelus design such as Okazaki's Gargarin, or Moskova classes.

[@thomasmiller1]

Well said well said indeed

[@MrYTGuy1]

Good lord. this guy sounds just as angry as the terrible internet people he was describing...

[@KaiPurge]

NX is my favorite ship I love it. And Enterprise is my favorite of all the trek series. Hoshi Sato