Spacedock

[Tholian_Avenger]

What is the benefit of the giant enclosed harbor of Space Dock?

Wouldn't a frame with rigging open to space be better or would the microcomets be to dangerous for space work (what modern astronauts do now)?

[Teaos]

Something like the diflector would take care of space trash.

But I would presume they would have cleaned up all the junk up there by then.

[Sionnach Glic]

Defence, maybe? *shrug* I can't really think of any reasons.

[Teaos]

The reason for the big space could be a status thing. A really big station like that is impressive to anyone.

Or it provides some ease of use for ship repair and building. It produces all the parts and assembles them right there. Rather than having to import stuff.

[Captain Seafort]

The main reason I can think of is defence - pulling all smaller ships in the vicinity of Earth inside during an attack. It's also possible that the interior is pressurised, or able to be pressurised, making repairs on ships inside considerably safer.

[Reliant121]

I think the defence thing is the main benefit. Ships under repair are inherantly vulnerable to attack, so putting them into a closed structure eliminates that threat.

[Graham Kennedy]

The thing that really leapt out at me when I first saw it was "wouldn't it be so awesomely useful if they can pressurise that thing..."

[Captain Picard's Hair]

It could well be pressurized. If they do indeed serve a defensive function, an installation of that size should be able to carry some formidable weaponry. Then, it would allow a great number of resources to be clustered together close to the ships, as well as living spaces. The combination of all three and any other benefits could make the great expense of building such structures worthwhile.

[Reliant121]

And CnC stuff would be alot easier from one, central platform.

[Blackstar the Chakat]

The main reason I can think of is defence - pulling all smaller ships in the vicinity of Earth inside during an attack. It's also possible that the interior is pressurised, or able to be pressurised, making repairs on ships inside considerably safer.

This is one of those rare occasions where I agree with Seafort. The Spacedock was seen being used for heavily damaged and new starships. (damaged: E-nil, new: E-A and Excelsior) If it's pressurized then they can repair hull breaches or complete the outer hull without being hindered by bulky spacesuits. It probably has heavy weapons, when combined with the thick hull, it be easier to defend more vulnerable ships that are under repair. It's probably one of Starfleet's smarter ideas.

[stitch626]

Perhaps it also caries thousands of supplies and crew. It may also supppliment as a little vacation for the crew of any ships docked there.

[Tsukiyumi]

I imagine there are a lot of rec facilities on a station that size.

[Duskofdead]

The main reason I can think of is defence - pulling all smaller ships in the vicinity of Earth inside during an attack. It's also possible that the interior is pressurised, or able to be pressurised, making repairs on ships inside considerably safer.

This is one of those rare occasions where I agree with Seafort. The Spacedock was seen being used for heavily damaged and new starships. (damaged: E-nil, new: E-A and Excelsior) If it's pressurized then they can repair hull breaches or complete the outer hull without being hindered by bulky spacesuits. It probably has heavy weapons, when combined with the thick hull, it be easier to defend more vulnerable ships that are under repair. It's probably one of Starfleet's smarter ideas.

I've always operated under the presumption they were very heavily armed and massively powered. Like one of the tabletop Starfleet Command game manuals described it.... so powerful that some refer to them as invincible, and enemies of the Federation have never attempted to destroy one. With that in mind when I saw Graham's stats for one it was very much in line with what I thought.

I always thought Starfleet should have many of these spread somewhat equidistantly around its space. (It may have, for all I know.) Besides in Earth orbit and Starbase 74, mostly what we see as "starbases" are little more than outposts or comm and traffic stations rather than proper starbases in the Spacedock sense. Basically a defense/rally point where, if the crap hit the fan, all of the fleet in the nearby sector gathers there for a fight or a last stand. (I guess almost kind of like the futuristic equivalent of a castle, something that makes taking and holding nearby regions of space very difficult.)

[Captain Seafort]

I always thought Starfleet should have many of these spread somewhat equidistantly around its space. (It may have, for all I know.) Besides in Earth orbit and Starbase 74, mostly what we see as "starbases" are little more than outposts or comm and traffic stations rather than proper starbases in the Spacedock sense. Basically a defense/rally point where, if the crap hit the fan, all of the fleet in the nearby sector gathers there for a fight or a last stand. (I guess almost kind of like the futuristic equivalent of a castle, something that makes taking and holding nearby regions of space very difficult.)

I doubt they're spread equidistantly, but I'd certainly expect them to be built in key strategic systems in the Federation core, and controlling the Klingon and Romulan Neutral Zones.

[Teaos]

I wonder if they just repair or build new startships there to. It is certinly big enough to be a self contained production line.