Why Star Trek: The Next Generation's Enterprise Had A Rarely-Seen Second Bridge

Star Trek: The Next Generation's USS Enterprise-D had a second command center called the battle bridge where the bridge crew gathered when they were forced to implement a saucer separation. The Enterprise-D was a Galaxy-class starship, and all starships of this class were equipped with a more robust auxiliary control center than previous classes. Unlike the Constitution class ship introduced in Star Trek: The Original Series, the Enterprise-D was by far the most advanced of any version of the USS Enterprise up to that point, and it had its fair share of technological advancements of the 24th century.

With only a handful of appearances in Star Trek: The Next Generation, a short-lived life in Star Trek: First Contact, and a brief appearance in Star Trek: Prodigy, the battle bridge is somewhat of a mystery in the Star Trek timeline. Questions as to the lack of its use in later seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, even when a battle bridge would have come in handy, have stumped many viewers and left them wondering when, if ever, the battle bridge will make a comeback. Even so, the battle bridge remains one of Star Trek's coolest features.

Why Star Trek: TNG’s USS Enterprise-D Had A Battle Bridge

The Next Generation's Enterprise was the first Star Trek ship to feature a battle bridge

The battle bridge in Galaxy-class starships was designed to give the crew control of the stardrive section of the ship in the event of a saucer separation. The extra command center allowed crew members to control each side of the ship separately without the need to abandon ship. This auxiliary bridge was depicted as a necessity during such an event, but it failed to appear in every saucer separation in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Command, conn, ops, and tactical stations were included in the battle bridge's design, but it appeared to lack stations for science and engineering officers.

The battle bridge was introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation's pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint." With an introduction so early in the series, Star Trek: The Next Generation set up the battle bridge as common practice among 24th-century Federation ships. Other than just three episodes that featured the battle bridge on the Enterprise, TNG never focused on the battle bridge as an essential asset to the ship. Nevertheless, some of the best Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes of all time featured exciting scenes that took place on the battle bridge.

Did Other Star Trek Ships Have A Battle Bridge?

The USS Enterprise-D isn't the only Federation ship equipped with a battle bridge

Star Trek: Prodigy depicts the battle bridge on board the Lamarr-class science vessel USS Voyager-A. While being attacked by the multiverse eating villains the Loom, Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) had her command crew fall back to the Voyager-A's battle bridge while she used one of the ship's shuttles to draw the Loom's attention. This retreat shows the battle bridge's tactical uses other than aiding the crew during a saucer separation, which Star Trek has thus far depicted as a last-resort strategy. The battle bridge can also serve as a rendezvous point still equipped with consoles necessary for battle.

Star Trek may not highlight the battle bridge very often, but it still played an important role in many of Star Trek: The Next Generation's most essential episodes. The battle bridge has continued to be a hotbed for exciting scenes and tense plot development, even when a saucer separation isn't required. The lack of continuity in Star Trek: The Next Generation's battle bridge doesn't take away from its significance. Instead, the battle bridge's untapped potential leaves room for more exciting battle bridge scenes in upcoming Star Trek TV shows and movies and allows previous appearances to feel even more thrilling.