Navigational deflector The navigational deflector ( also known just as the deflector , the deflector array , the deflector dish , the main deflector or the nav deflector for short ) was a component of many starship s , and was used to deflect space debris , asteroid s , microscopic particle s and other objects that might have collided with the ship . At warp speed the deflector was virtually indispensable for most starships as even the most minute particle could cause serious damage to a ship when it was traveling at superluminal velocities . ( ) Technical data . The deflector commonly took the form of a dish - shaped force beam generator containing heavy - duty subspace accelerators at the extreme forward end of the vessel ' s secondary hull . It performed its primary function by emitting low - power deflector shield s to deflect microscopic particles and higher - powered deflector beams and / or tractor beam s to deflect larger objects . ( ; ) On the starships , the navigational deflector was a combined system with the ships ' main duotronic sensor s . ( " " ; " " ) A deflector ' s energy could be extended outward to protect other ships . In 2266 , the extended its deflector shield around Harry Mudd ' s stolen class J starship , " Stella " , to temporarily protect it from asteroid s while its crew were transported to safety . ( ) The 24th century Federation starship navigational deflectors could easily deflect laser fire . ( ) Ordinarily , Federation starships were equipped with a single external deflector dish . In the 2250s these devices were sometimes known as the ships ' meteorite beam . ( ) In the late 24th century , some starships were known to have more than one deflector . One example of this was the , which had its main deflector located between the extreme forwards of decks 10 through 13 , while the secondary deflector was located on the extreme forward of deck 6 . ( ) The deflector of the was charged with antiproton s while the Borg were modifying it . This proved to be a potential hazard as particle weapon s fire hitting the deflector could destroy much of the ship . ( ) Other uses . Due to its ability to project a wide variety of energies and particles , the navigational deflector was an extremely versatile piece of equipment . Many starship crews made one - time modifications to the dish to solve several problems they were facing . " Enterprise " ( NX - 01 ) . In 2154 , the navigational deflector of was used to generate a deflector pulse which destroyed Sphere 41 , thus disrupting the entire network of spheres in the Delphic Expanse . Modifications had to be made , however , to prevent the pulse from rupturing EPS conduit s throughout the ship . ( ) Later that year , the NX - 01 ' s deflector was modified to emit a positron burst , which disabled Harrad - Sar ' s barge when it passed through the grappling line of his ship . ( ) USS " Enterprise " ( NCC - 1701 ) . The used a deflector beam to attempt to shift a large asteroid off course when it threatened the planet Amerind in 2268 . The attempt failed and caused damage to the ship ' s power . ( ) USS " Enterprise " ( NCC - 1701 - B ) . In 2293 , Captain s Montgomery Scott and James T . Kirk modified the deflector of the to produce a resonance burst in order to simulate an antimatter explosion when the ship became caught in the Nexus energy ribbon . ( )