Infrared sensor

Infrared sensors (also referred to as infrared detectors or infrared scanners) were devices used on spacecraft to detect movement by means of infrared light.

In 2151, Lieutenant Malcolm Reed had to refocus the infrared scanner on board Enterprise in order to calibrate the ship's torpedo targeting system. The process took "the better part of a day." (ENT: "Fight or Flight")

In the final draft script of "Fight or Flight" (dated 1 May 2001), the line that ultimately referenced refocusing Enterprise's infrared scanner instead referred to resequencing the ship's proximity sensors. In the revised final draft of the episode's teleplay (dated 27 June 2001), the line was changed to the reference about the infrared scanner.

In 2266, Captain James T. Kirk used the infrared scanner and sensing system on board the USS Enterprise to search the surface of Rigel XII for Eve McHuron. (TOS: "Mudd's Women")

In 2367, Lieutenant Commander Susanna Leijten suggested installing proximity detectors and infrared sensors on Tarchannen III to locate her former colleagues from the USS Victory. (TNG: "Identity Crisis")

Retroactive continuity: An infrared scanner was a piece of technology used aboard the 20th century NASA weather satellite Nimbus 1. A schematic of Nimbus 1 was stored in the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) library computer in 2254 and scanned by the Talosians. (TOS: "The Cage")

External links

• Infrared at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• Infrared detector at Wikipedia