Editing A Port in the Storm (section)

==3.0 Spacecraft Structure==

'''3.1 Main Skeletal Structure'''

The primary space frame of the Rosenanté class starship is fabricated from an interlocking series of Terminium/Tritium microfilament truss frames. These members average l.05m² in cross section and are capable of bearing the same load as the standard Tritanium/Duranium truss averaging l.27m² in cross section used in standard starship construction. These truss frames are located an average of 20 meters across the ship's exterior, while the standard trusses would be located every 25 meters along a ships exterior. The tightening of the trusses allows the vessel to withstand greater stress imposed upon it by warp travel, while still producing a lighter space frame.

As with other starship designs, larger numbers of these trusses are located integral to the main impulse engine sections, the warp nacelle pylons, docking interface latches, and along the centerline of the hull structure. Smaller Trusses averaging 0.35m² in cross section are located every five meters on average, and also provide internal supports within the deck and core structure of the spacecraft interior.

A mechanical framework provides physical integrity to the vehicle while at rest. A parallel series of aluminum crystal foam stringers are phase transition bonded to the primary trusses, providing low frequency vibration attenuation across the main truss structure, as well as support for certain utility conduits.

Also attached to these stringers are various conformal devices built into the hulls structure, including elements of the deflector shield grid, H.l.S.S. components, as well as subspace radio antennas, which are incorporated into the skin of the spacecraft.

'''3.2 Secondary Framework'''

Mounted to the primary space frame is a secondary framework of micro-extruded Terminium trusses to which the inner hull of the structure is directly attached. The secondary framework is mounted by means of 3.2 cm diameter X 5.1 centimeter long semi rigid polydurinide support rods, permitting a limited amount of mechanical isolation from the primary space frame for purposes of strain relief, plus sound and vibration isolation. Secondary space frame segments are also separated from each other (although mechanically attached) to permit replacement of inner hull segments and associated utilities infrastructure during major Starbase layover.

Structural integrity during powered flight is provided by a series of forcefields that reinforce the physical framework. This structural integrity field (SIP) is distributed through a network of molybdenum-jacketed wave-guides, which in turn distribute SIF energy into ceramic-polymer conductive elements throughout the space frame. Without the structural integrity field, the vehicle would be unable to withstand accelerations greater than 3l.4 m/s² without significant deformation, or greater than 49.18 m/s² without unrecoverable structural damage.

Exterior hull substrate is joined to the primary load bearing trusses by means of 4.8-cm diameter electron-bonded duranium pins at 1.01-meter intervals. These pins are slip-fitted into an insulating AGP ceramic fiber jacket that provides thermal insulation between the space frame and the exterior hull. The pins, jacketing, and hull segments are gamma welded together.

'''3.3 Hull Layers'''

The exterior of the spacecraft consists of multiple layers, which afford structural and atmospheric integrity for the space frame, integral wave-guides and field conductive members for the structural Integrity Field (SIP) and H.I.S.S components, and pathways for other utilities (including deflector grids), as well as resistance to radiation and thermal energy.
The exterior shell substrate is composed of interlaced micro-foam duranium filaments. These filaments are gamma welded into a series of contiguous composite segments that are 4.7 cm thick and are typically 2 meters in width. The substrate segments are electron-bonded to three reinforcing layers of 1.2- cm biaxially stressed terranium fabric, which provide additional torsion strength.

In areas immediately adjacent to major structural members, four layers of 2.3-cm fabric are used. The substrate layer is attached to major structural members by electron-bonded duranium fasteners at 2.5-cm intervals. The substrate segments are not intended to be replaceable, except by phase-transition bonding using a transporter assembly jig during major Starbase layovers.
Two 3.76-cm layers of low-density expanded ceramic-polyrner composites provide thermal insulation and secondary SIP and H.I.S.S. conductivity. These layers are separated by an 8.7-cm multiaxis triennium truss framework, which provides additional thermal insulation and a pass through for fixed utility conduits.

A 4.2-cm layer of monocrystal beryllium silicate infused with somniferous polycarbonate whiskers provides radiation attenuation. This layer is networked with a series of 2.3-cm X 0.85-cm molybdenum-jacketed conduits. These conduits, which occur at 1.3-m intervals, serve as triphase wave-guides for the secondary structural integrity field. Conductive tritium rods penetrate the wave-guides at l0-cm intervals and transfer SIF energy into the ceramic-polymer conductive layer.
The outermost hull layer is composed of a 1.6-cm sheet of AGP ablative ceramic fabric chemically bonded onto a substrate of 0.15-cm triermium foil. This material is formed into segments approximately 3.7m² and is attached to the radiation attenuation layer by a series of duranium fasteners, which allows individual segments to be replaced as necessary. (Micrometeor erosion is kept to a minimum by the deflector system, but is sufficient to warrant replacement of 30% of the leading edge on the average of every 7.2 standard years.) Individual outer hull segments are machined to a tolerance of ±0.05-mm to allow for minimum drag through the interstellar medium. Joints between segments are manufactured to a tolerance of ±0.025-mm.

Also incorporated into the outermost hull layer is a series of super conducting molybdenum-jacketed wave-guide conduits, which serve to absorb and disperse sensor emission energy that interacts with the hull. Segmented sections of this network serve as housings for the unique DECS components, responsible for producing the ship’s tactical deflector. Unlike a standard starship, there are no thermal regulating assemblies built into the skin of the starship. Instead this duty is regulated through a series of intercoolers and radiators housed inside the interior of the Bussard Collector Assembly.