Q&A · 2:01:00-2:04:12

Which science-fiction ship offers the best technology windfall?

Star Trek capital ships offer power generation and replicators, while Atlantis offers extensive databases and a city-sized platform for exploration and construction.

Question

Which science-fiction ship would you reverse engineer for your nation's navy, and why?

Short answer

The leading answers are an advanced Star Trek vessel for its power, warp, and replicator technology, or Atlantis for its scale, databases, and broad technological base.

Notes

Star Trek capital ships are attractive reverse-engineering candidates because their power generation, travel and manufacturing systems could serve a navy and the wider economy. Galaxy, Sovereign and Luna classes are proposed for those capabilities. Fictional fusion reactors and replicators would remove many of the energy and material constraints invoked when projects are judged unaffordable. Clarke instead chooses Atlantis from Stargate for its databases, interplanetary mobility and large crew capacity. A city-sized ship would also offer room to build equipment and carry his library, a personal reason behind that choice.