Pathway drive

The pathway drive was an experimental faster-than-light propulsion system developed by the United Federation of Planets in the late 32nd century to lessen their dependence on dilithium. It allowed much higher speeds than conventional warp, and a ship could transition from pathway drive to warp drive seamlessly. ()
At the start of the pathway program, the shuttlecraft UFP-99 was outfitted with the drive for testing. ()
In 3190, the prototype pathway drive was to be installed in for operational tests, and the newly inaugurated Federation President Laira Rillak was evaluating candidates for the captaincy. ()
In 3191, the Federation opted to pursue the pathway drive over the spore drive. That year, Captain Rayner noted that if his had been equipped with pathway drive, it could have pulled Moll and L'ak's ship out of warp with its tractor beam. The was among the first ships refitted with pathway drive. ()
Later in 3191, President T'Rina suggested that the Mitchell be sent to intercept Primarch 's fleet. However, Rillak refused, as the sudden arrival of a Federation starship could escalate the situation further. Instead, she accepted Ambassador Saru's proposal to send the relatively harmless prototype shuttle instead. Accompanied by Commander Nhan, Saru used the pathway drive to intercept Tahal's fleet. ()
Category:Propulsion technology