Why Starfleet Could Not Use the Spore Drive of USS Discovery to Assist USS Voyager

In the Star Trek: Discovery series, the USS Discovery is equipped with a groundbreaking technology known as the Spore Drive, which allows for instantaneous travel across vast distances through the mycelial network. However, this advanced technology is not available to USS Voyager during its pivotal journey in the Delta Quadrant. This raises several intriguing questions and considerations about the logistics and narrative choices within the Star Trek universe.

Technological Limitations

The primary reason for the USS Voyager's inability to utilize the Spore Drive is rooted deeply in the technological and operational limitations faced by Starfleet. At the time of Voyager's journey through the Delta Quadrant (Late 24th century), the Spore Drive was still an experimental technology that had not been fully integrated into Starfleet's standard operations. Moreover, the spore drive was not widely adopted or understood, meaning that even if Starfleet had the technology, it was not readily available for deployment.

Temporal and Narrative Context

The temporal context of the Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Voyager series are crucial in understanding why the Spore Drive could not be used to assist USS Voyager. The spore drive's development and use in Discovery occurred in a different temporal context and historical timeline. There was no crossover in terms of technology and information flow between these two series, implying that the technologies and knowledge gained in Discovery were not available to Voyager. This keeps the primary storyline of Voyager cohesive and self-contained within its own timeline.

Plot Requirements and Narrative Tension

The very premise of the USS Voyager's journey and its struggle to return home after being stranded in the Delta Quadrant is what drives the narrative tensions and conflicts throughout the series. Introducing the Spore Drive would fundamentally change these dynamics and undermine the suspense and adventure that define the Voyager's journey. The spore drive could have made long journeys across the galaxy nearly instantaneous, eliminating the emotional and physical challenges faced by the crew of Voyager. This would significantly alter the storyline and the character growth, making the series less engaging to the audience.

Mycelian Network Limitations

Another practical reason for the Spore Drive not being used is the limitations of the mycelial network itself. The spore drive relies on the existence of the mycelial network, which is a vast, interconnected network of tunnels and nodes. However, it is unclear whether the mycelial network has a direct connection to the Delta Quadrant where Voyager is stranded. Navigating and utilizing the mycelial network to reach Voyager would likely be complex and uncertain, potentially leading to unanticipated challenges and hazards.

Additionally, because everyone who knew anything about the USS Discovery was ordered not to talk about it or its spore drive technology, it further prevented Starfleet from utilizing the Spore Drive to aid Voyager. The technology was deliberately buried and the source of the spores no longer existed, making it practically impossible to implement the Spore Drive as a solution.

Conclusion

While the Spore Drive of the USS Discovery is a powerful and transformative technology, its limitations in terms of availability, understanding, and narrative context prevent it from being used to assist USS Voyager. These factors, combined with the temporal and plot considerations, ensure that the adventures and challenges faced by the Voyager's crew remain integral to the story's core narrative.