Warp Drive - Revision history

Nicesociety: /* Parts of the system */

2009-01-17T07:49:13Z

Parts of the system

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:49, 17 January 2009
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	Other civilizations use different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, but the basic process is similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles are mounted on variable-geometry pylons.		Other civilizations use different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, but the basic process is similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles are mounted on variable-geometry pylons.
	===Parts of the system===		===Parts of the system===
	[[Image:796px-USS Equinox warp core.jpg\|thumb\|~~400px~~\|right]]		[[Image:796px-USS Equinox warp core.jpg\|thumb\|600px\|right]]
	*[[Antimatter Containment]]		*[[Antimatter Containment]]
	*[[Antimatter Inducer]]		*[[Antimatter Inducer]]

Nicesociety at 07:48, 17 January 2009

2009-01-17T07:48:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:48, 17 January 2009
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	Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).		Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).

	Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[Matter]] / [[Antimatter]] reactors rather than [[~~fusion~~]] ones, and [[~~Warp Drive Components~~\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Coil]]s themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.		Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[Matter]] / [[Antimatter]] reactors rather than [[Fusion]] ones, and [[Dilithium\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Coil]]s themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.

	For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[Wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render Warp Drive totally obsolete.		For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[Wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render Warp Drive totally obsolete.

Nicesociety at 07:47, 17 January 2009

2009-01-17T07:47:37Z

Nicesociety at 07:44, 17 January 2009

2009-01-17T07:44:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:44, 17 January 2009
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	Warp drive is a technology that allows space travel at faster-than-light speeds. It does this by generating warp fields to form a subspace bubble that envelops the starship, distorting the local spacetime continuum and moving the starship at velocities that exceed the speed of light. These velocities are referred to as warp factors.		Warp drive is a technology that allows space travel at faster-than-light speeds. It does this by generating warp fields to form a subspace bubble that envelops the starship, distorting the local spacetime continuum and moving the starship at velocities that exceed the speed of light. These velocities are referred to as warp factors.

			[[Image:VoyagerWarpCore.jpg\|thumb\|400px]]
	The main propulsion system for most starships. The core of the warp drive uses dilithium crystals to control the annihilation of matter and antimatter. This controlled explosion is what generates the tremendous power required to warp space and travel faster than light. Warp drive was invented in 2063 by noted scientist Zefram Cochrane.		The main propulsion system for most starships. The core of the warp drive uses dilithium crystals to control the annihilation of matter and antimatter. This controlled explosion is what generates the tremendous power required to warp space and travel faster than light. Warp drive was invented in 2063 by noted scientist Zefram Cochrane.

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	Other civilizations use different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, but the basic process is similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles are mounted on variable-geometry pylons.		Other civilizations use different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, but the basic process is similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles are mounted on variable-geometry pylons.
	===Parts of the system===		===Parts of the system===
			[[Image:796px-USS Equinox warp core.jpg\|thumb\|400px\|right]]
	*[[Antimatter Containment]]		*[[Antimatter Containment]]
	*[[Antimatter Inducer]]		*[[Antimatter Inducer]]

Nicesociety: /* Parts of the system */

2009-01-17T07:40:59Z

Parts of the system

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:40, 17 January 2009
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	Other civilizations use different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, but the basic process is similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles are mounted on variable-geometry pylons.		Other civilizations use different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, but the basic process is similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles are mounted on variable-geometry pylons.
	===Parts of the system===		===Parts of the system===
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|~~Antimatter ~~containment~~]]		*[[Antimatter Containment]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|~~Antimatter ~~inducer~~]]		*[[Antimatter Inducer]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|~~Antimatter ~~relay~~]]		*[[Antimatter Injector]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|~~Deuterium ~~cartridge~~]]s		*[[Antimatter Relay]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Electro-plasma~~]]		*[[Bussard Collector]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Emergency shutdown trip~~]]s		*[[Deuterium Cartridge]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Main stage flux chiller~~]]		*[[Deuterium Injector]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Magnetic interlock~~]]		*[[Deuterium]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components~~\|~~Nacelle~~]]		*[[Dilithium Articulation Frame]]
	**[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Bussard collector~~]]s		*[[Dilithium Chamber Hatch]]
	**[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Plasma injector~~]]		*[[Dilithium Crystal Chamber]]
	**[[~~Warp Drive Components~~\|~~Warp coil~~]]		*[[Dilithium\|Dilithium Crystal]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Nullifier core~~]]		*[[Electro-plasma]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Pre stage flux chiller~~]]		*[[Emergency Shutdown Trip]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Phase inducer~~]]		*[[Magnetic Interlock]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Plasma conduit~~]]		*[[Main Stage Flux Chamber]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|~~Plasma ~~intercooler~~]]		*[[Main Stage Flux Chiller]]
	**[[~~Warp Drive Components\|~~Plasma ~~coolant~~]]		*[[Deuterium Injector\|Matter Injector]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|~~Plasma ~~regulator~~]]		*[[Matter-Antimatter Reaction Assembly]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Power transfer conduit~~]]		*[[Nacelle]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Power transfer grid~~]]		*[[Nullifier Core]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Space matrix restoration coil~~]]		*[[Phase Inducer]]
	*[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Warp core~~]] / [[~~Warp Drive Components\|Matter~~-~~Antimatter Reaction Assembly~~]]		*[[Plasma Conduit]]
	**[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Antimatter injector~~]]		*[[Plasma Coolant]]
	**[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Dilithium crystal chamber~~]]		*[[Plasma Flow Regulator]]
	***[[~~Warp Drive Components\|dilithium chamber hatch~~]]		*[[Plasma Injector]]
	***[[~~Warp Drive Components\|dilithium crystal~~]]		*[[Plasma Intercooler]]
	***[[~~Warp Drive Components\|dilithium articulation frame~~]]		*[[Power Transfer Conduit]]
	**[[~~Warp Drive Components\|Matter injector~~]]/[[Warp ~~Drive Components\|Deuterium injector~~]]		*[[Power Transfer Grid]]
	**[[Warp ~~Drive Components\|Theta-matrix Compositor~~]]		*[[Pre-Stage Flux Chamber]]
			*[[Pre-Stage Flux Chiller]]
			*[[Primary Coolant Tank]]
			*[[Secondary Coolant Tank]]
			*[[Space Matrix Restoration Coil]]
			*[[Theta-matrix Compositor]]
			*[[Variable-compression Nozzle]]
			*[[Warp Coil]]
			*[[Warp Core]]

Nicesociety at 07:36, 17 January 2009

2009-01-17T07:36:06Z

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	The antimatter is contained within much smaller pods; the standard starship antimatter pod is capable of holding 100 m3 of fuel for a total of 3,000 m3 in a Galaxy class Starship. Starfleet is somewhat reticent about revealing exactly how much antimatter is kept on board its starships, as this would allow threat forces to make detailed estimates of the total output of a ships power systems. It is known that the antimatter used in the Galaxy class is antihydrogen, and that it is kept stored within magnetic fields. In the event of a systems failure which threatens antimatter containment, the pods can be thrown clear of the ship by emergency systems of considerable reliability.		The antimatter is contained within much smaller pods; the standard starship antimatter pod is capable of holding 100 m3 of fuel for a total of 3,000 m3 in a Galaxy class Starship. Starfleet is somewhat reticent about revealing exactly how much antimatter is kept on board its starships, as this would allow threat forces to make detailed estimates of the total output of a ships power systems. It is known that the antimatter used in the Galaxy class is antihydrogen, and that it is kept stored within magnetic fields. In the event of a systems failure which threatens antimatter containment, the pods can be thrown clear of the ship by emergency systems of considerable reliability.

	Fuel from the pods is sent to the [[reactant injectors]]; these are designed to condition and feed streams of matter and antimatter into the warp core. The matter reactant injector is located at the top of the warp core; it is a conical structure some 5.2 metres in diameter and 6.3 metres high. The injector is constructed of dispersion strengthened woznium carbmolybdenide. Shock attenuation cylinders connect it to the deuterium fuel tank and the skeletal structure of the ship, allowing it to 'float' free within the structure.		Fuel from the pods is sent to the reactant injectors; these are designed to condition and feed streams of matter and antimatter into the warp core. The matter reactant injector is located at the top of the warp core; it is a conical structure some 5.2 metres in diameter and 6.3 metres high. The injector is constructed of dispersion strengthened woznium carbmolybdenide. Shock attenuation cylinders connect it to the deuterium fuel tank and the skeletal structure of the ship, allowing it to 'float' free within the structure.

	Within Starfleet vessels, the MRI contains redundant sets of crossfed injectors. Each injector would consists of a twin deuterium manifold, fuel conditioner, fusion pre-burner, magnetic quench block, transfer duct/gas combiner, nozzle head, and related control hardware. other designs are in use by civilian craft and other species. Although operation varies from class to class, in general slush deuterium enters the inlet manifolds and is passed to the conditioners where heat is removed. This brings the deuterium to just above solid transition point; micropellets are formed and then pre-burned by a magnetic pinch fusion system. The fuel is them sent on to a gas combiner where it reaches a temperature in the region of 106 K. Nozzle heads then focus the gas streams and send them down into the constriction segments.		Within Starfleet vessels, the MRI contains redundant sets of crossfed injectors. Each injector would consists of a twin deuterium manifold, fuel conditioner, fusion pre-burner, magnetic quench block, transfer duct/gas combiner, nozzle head, and related control hardware. other designs are in use by civilian craft and other species. Although operation varies from class to class, in general slush deuterium enters the inlet manifolds and is passed to the conditioners where heat is removed. This brings the deuterium to just above solid transition point; micropellets are formed and then pre-burned by a magnetic pinch fusion system. The fuel is them sent on to a gas combiner where it reaches a temperature in the region of 106 K. Nozzle heads then focus the gas streams and send them down into the constriction segments.

Nicesociety at 04:19, 9 January 2009

2009-01-09T04:19:39Z

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	Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[High Energy Particles\|matter]] / [[High Energy Particles\|antimatter]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Drive Components\|Warp coils]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.		Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[High Energy Particles\|matter]] / [[High Energy Particles\|antimatter]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Drive Components\|Warp coils]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.

	For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render[Warp Drive totally obsolete.		For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[Energy Wave Types\|wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render Warp Drive totally obsolete.

	==Technology==		==Technology==

Nicesociety at 03:59, 9 January 2009

2009-01-09T03:59:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:59, 9 January 2009
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	Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).		Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).

	Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[[[High Energy Particles\|matter]]]] / [[[[High Energy Particles\|antimatter]]]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Drive Components\|Warp coils]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.		Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[High Energy Particles\|matter]] / [[High Energy Particles\|antimatter]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Drive Components\|Warp coils]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.

	For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render[Warp Drive totally obsolete.		For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render[Warp Drive totally obsolete.

Nicesociety at 03:59, 9 January 2009

2009-01-09T03:59:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:59, 9 January 2009
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	Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).		Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).

	Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[matter]] / [[antimatter]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Drive Components\|Warp coils]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.		Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[[[High Energy Particles\|matter]]]] / [[[[High Energy Particles\|antimatter]]]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Drive Components\|Warp coils]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.

	For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render[Warp Drive totally obsolete.		For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render[Warp Drive totally obsolete.

Nicesociety at 03:56, 9 January 2009

2009-01-09T03:56:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:56, 9 January 2009
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	Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).		Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).

	Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[matter]] / [[antimatter]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[~~warp~~ coils]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.		Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[matter]] / [[antimatter]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Drive Components\|Warp coils]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.

	For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[wormholes]] for [[interstellar]] travel is also being researched and if successful this may render[Warp Drive totally obsolete.		For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render[Warp Drive totally obsolete.

	==Technology==		==Technology==

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:47, 17 January 2009
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	[[Image:VoyagerWarpCore.jpg\|thumb\|400px]]		[[Image:VoyagerWarpCore.jpg\|thumb\|400px]]
	The main propulsion system for most starships. The core of the warp drive uses dilithium crystals to control the annihilation of matter and antimatter. This controlled explosion is what generates the tremendous power required to warp space and travel faster than light. Warp drive was invented in 2063 by noted scientist Zefram Cochrane.		The main propulsion system for most starships. The core of the warp drive uses [[Dilithium\|dilithium crystals]] to control the annihilation of matter and antimatter. This controlled explosion is what generates the tremendous power required to warp space and travel faster than light. Warp drive was invented in 2063 by noted scientist Zefram Cochrane.

	It is one of many jobs of [[Engineering\|Engineers]] onboard a [[Federation]] [[starship]] to make sure the ship's warp drive is running correctly.		It is one of many jobs of [[Engineering\|Engineers]] onboard a [[Federation]] [[starship]] to make sure the ship's warp drive is running correctly.
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	Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).		Warp drive is by far the most widespread method of faster than light travel used in the alpha quadrant. Invented in 2063 by [[Zephram Cochrane]] of Earth (and later of Alpha Centuri).

	Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[~~High Energy Particles\|matter~~]] / [[~~High Energy Particles\|antimatter~~]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp ~~Drive Components\|Warp coils~~]] themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.		Humans subsequently sold warp drive ships to many other cultures, and this technology has become common within the quadrant with over 2,000 species using it. The present day state of the art is not fundamentally different from Cochranes original system; ships today generally use [[Matter]] / [[Antimatter]] reactors rather than [[fusion]] ones, and [[Warp Drive Components\|dilithium]] has allowed far higher efficiencies. The [[Warp Coil]]s themselves have also become more numerous and complex in design.

	For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[~~Energy Wave Types\|wormholes~~]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render Warp Drive totally obsolete.		For the future, many developments are possible. Over a century since it was first envisaged, transwarp drive remains seemingly just beyond the reach of Federation science. other lines of research involve co-axial warp cores, which allow instantaneous travel over sizeable distances, and slipstream technology, which could theoretically allow travel at hundreds of light years per second. If this latter technology ever came to pass, it would make travel on an intergalactic scale easily feasible. On the other hand, the idea of generating stable artificial [[Wormholes]] for interstellar travel is also being researched and if successful this may render Warp Drive totally obsolete.

	==Technology==		==Technology==

	24th century Federation warp engines are fueled by the reaction of matter (deuterium) and antimatter (antideuterium), mediated through an assembly of dilithium crystals, which are nonreactive with antimatter when subjected to high-frequency electromagnetic fields. This reaction produces a highly energetic plasma, called electro-plasma or warp plasma, which is channeled by plasma conduits through the ~~electro~~-plasma system (EPS). The electro-plasma is funneled by plasma injectors into a series of warp field coils, usually located in remote warp ~~nacelles~~. These coils are composed of verterium cortenide and generate the warp field.		24th century Federation warp engines are fueled by the reaction of matter (deuterium) and antimatter (antideuterium), mediated through an assembly of dilithium crystals, which are nonreactive with antimatter when subjected to high-frequency electromagnetic fields. This reaction produces a highly energetic plasma, called electro-plasma or warp plasma, which is channeled by plasma conduits through the [[Electro-plasma]] system (EPS). The electro-plasma is funneled by plasma injectors into a series of warp field coils, usually located in remote warp [[Nacelle]]s. These coils are composed of verterium cortenide and generate the warp field.

	Other civilizations use different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, but the basic process is similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles are mounted on variable-geometry pylons.		Other civilizations use different power sources, such as the Romulans' use of artificial quantum singularities to power their warp drives, but the basic process is similar. In some vessels, such as the Intrepid-class, the nacelles are mounted on variable-geometry pylons.
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	There are two distinct fuel storage systems on board any starship; the matter storage is generally a single large fuel tank holding a large amount of slush [[Deuterium]]- in the case of the [[Galaxy Class]] there is 62,500 m3 of actual Deuterium within 63,200 m3 of tankage space - the rest being accounted for by internal ~~compartmentalisation~~ of the fuel tank. The ship thus carries 12,500 metric tons of fuel, sufficient for a mission period of three years assuming normal use of warp and impulse drive, orbiting of planets, etc.		There are two distinct fuel storage systems on board any starship; the matter storage is generally a single large fuel tank holding a large amount of slush [[Deuterium]]- in the case of the [[Galaxy Class]] there is 62,500 m3 of actual Deuterium within 63,200 m3 of tankage space - the rest being accounted for by internal compartmentalization of the fuel tank. The ship thus carries 12,500 metric tons of fuel, sufficient for a mission period of three years assuming normal use of warp and impulse drive, orbiting of planets, etc.

	The antimatter is contained within much smaller pods; the standard starship antimatter pod is capable of holding 100 m3 of fuel for a total of 3,000 m3 in a Galaxy class Starship. Starfleet is somewhat reticent about revealing exactly how much antimatter is kept on board its starships, as this would allow threat forces to make detailed estimates of the total output of a ships power systems. It is known that the antimatter used in the Galaxy class is antihydrogen, and that it is kept stored within magnetic fields. In the event of a systems failure which threatens antimatter containment, the pods can be thrown clear of the ship by emergency systems of considerable reliability.		The antimatter is contained within much smaller pods; the standard starship antimatter pod is capable of holding 100 m3 of fuel for a total of 3,000 m3 in a Galaxy class Starship. Starfleet is somewhat reticent about revealing exactly how much antimatter is kept on board its starships, as this would allow threat forces to make detailed estimates of the total output of a ships power systems. It is known that the antimatter used in the Galaxy class is antihydrogen, and that it is kept stored within magnetic fields. In the event of a systems failure which threatens antimatter containment, the pods can be thrown clear of the ship by emergency systems of considerable reliability.
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	Starfleet safety protocols require that should any nozzle fail, the combiner can continue to supply the remaining nozzles which would dialate to accomodate the increased fuel flow. The present generation of nozzles are constructed of frumium-copper-yttrium 2343.		Starfleet safety protocols require that should any nozzle fail, the combiner can continue to supply the remaining nozzles which would dialate to accomodate the increased fuel flow. The present generation of nozzles are constructed of frumium-copper-yttrium 2343.

	The antimatter injector lies at the lower end of the warp core. Its internal design is ~~distincly~~ different from that of the matter injector owing to the dangerous nature of antimatter fuel; every step in manipulating the antihydrogen must use magnetic to keep the material from Physically touching any part of the structure. In some ways the ARI is a simpler device requiring fewer moving components. It uses the same basic structural housing and shock attenuation as the matter system, with adaptions for magnetic suspension fuel tunnels. The structure contains three pulsed antimatter gas flow separators; these serve to break up the incoming antihydrogen into small ~~managable~~ packets and send them up into the constriction segments. Each flow separator leads to an injector nozzle and each nozzle cycles open in response to computer control signals. Nozzle firing can follow highly complicated sequences resulting from the varying demands of reaction pressures and temperatures and desired power output, amongst other factors.		The antimatter injector lies at the lower end of the warp core. Its internal design is distinctly different from that of the matter injector owing to the dangerous nature of antimatter fuel; every step in manipulating the antihydrogen must use magnetic to keep the material from Physically touching any part of the structure. In some ways the ARI is a simpler device requiring fewer moving components. It uses the same basic structural housing and shock attenuation as the matter system, with adaptions for magnetic suspension fuel tunnels. The structure contains three pulsed antimatter gas flow separators; these serve to break up the incoming antihydrogen into small manageable packets and send them up into the constriction segments. Each flow separator leads to an injector nozzle and each nozzle cycles open in response to computer control signals. Nozzle firing can follow highly complicated sequences resulting from the varying demands of reaction pressures and temperatures and desired power output, amongst other factors.

	The magnetic constrictors make up the bulk of the warp core. They provide Physical support to the reaction chamber, pressure containment for the whole core and, most importantly, guide and align the fuel flow onto the desired location within the reaction chamber.		The magnetic constrictors make up the bulk of the warp core. They provide Physical support to the reaction chamber, pressure containment for the whole core and, most importantly, guide and align the fuel flow onto the desired location within the reaction chamber.
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	Because of the relatively low accuracy with which the plasma flow is usually controlled by a PTC, the plasma injector system must often be designed to re-condition the fuel flow in order to dampen down turbulence and so ensure a smooth flow through the warp coils. In many Starfleet designs, most especially those systems with the highest raw power output, the plasma flow from the PTC is split into two parts and sent through swirl dampers before being recombined during the injection process. Long experience has found that this method reduces the size of the required hardware to a reasonable minimum.		Because of the relatively low accuracy with which the plasma flow is usually controlled by a PTC, the plasma injector system must often be designed to re-condition the fuel flow in order to dampen down turbulence and so ensure a smooth flow through the warp coils. In many Starfleet designs, most especially those systems with the highest raw power output, the plasma flow from the PTC is split into two parts and sent through swirl dampers before being recombined during the injection process. Long experience has found that this method reduces the size of the required hardware to a reasonable minimum.

	[[Category:~~Database~~]]		[[Category: Engineering]]