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Physicist: Famed 'Picard Maneuver' on Star Trek Works

Newser • September 14, 2026 • science

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Brazilian physicist Níckolas de Aguiar Alves has demonstrated that the "Picard Maneuver" from Star Trek: The Next Generation is more physically accurate than previously thought, potentially creating three visible images instead of two during the warp speed tactic.
The maneuver involves a ship accelerating to warp speed, abruptly dropping out of warp, and firing, which in the show fooled an enemy by creating multiple images of the ship.
De Aguiar Alves' calculations suggest this tactic would increase the chances of confusing an opponent beyond the 50/50 odds depicted in the episode, due to the ship's double acceleration.
Although faster-than-light travel remains theoretical, this example serves as an effective teaching tool for concepts in relativity and particle physics.