franchise-star-trek-tng-technical-manual1

5.2 MATTER/ANTIMATTER REACTION ASSEMBLYscientific programs that could benefit from a vessel withsuperior performance.Further computer modeling efforts by members of thestructural, systems, and propulsion working groups resultedin revised specifications being sent to the Utopia Planitiadesigners on 24 December 2344. These specificationsrequired the Galaxy class to sustain a normal cruising speedof Warp 6 until fuel exhaustion, a maximum cruising speed ofWarp 9.2, and a maximum top speed of Warp 9.6 for twelvehours. The total estimated vehicle mass was reduced throughmaterials improvements and internal rearrangements to 4.96million metric tonnes.Once the major designs were "frozen," prototype enginecomponents were fabricated, using elements of past vehiclesas reference points. Computer models of each major assemblywere merged into a total system model in order to testtheoretical performance characteristics. The first all-up systemmodel test finally took place at UP on 16 April 2356, andwas demonstrated to Starfleet two days later. As performancestudies progressed, prototype hardware was fabricated.Materials failures plagued the initial development of the coreof the system, the warp reaction chamber, which must containthe furious matter/antimatter reactions. These difficultieswere eliminated with the introduction of cobalt hexafluoride tothe inner chamber lining, which proved effective in reinforcingthe core magnetic fields.Similarly, materials problems slowed the construction ofthe warp engine nacelles. The key internal elements of thewarp engines, the verterium cortenide 947/952 coils, whichconvert the core energy into the propulsive warp fields, couldnot be manufactured to flight tolerances in density and shapefor the first half of the prototype construction phase. Theseproblems were corrected with adjustments to a lengthy furnacecooling period.Remarkably, work on the power transfer conduits betweenthe warp core and the nacelles proceeded withoutincident. Detailed analysis of the prototype conduits revealedearly on that they would easily bear the required structural andelectrodynamic loads, and their basic function was littlechanged from their predecessors of a century earlier.Once the prototype spaceframe test article was sufficientlycomplete to allow for it, engine installation was performed.The powertransfer conduits, which had been imbeddedwithin the nacelles support pylons as the spaceframe wasbuilt, awaited the docking of the nacelles and core assemblies.On 5 May 2356 the prototype starship NX-70637, as yetunnamed as the USS Galaxy, for the first time existed as aflyable space vessel.5.2 MATTER/ANTIMATTER REACTION ASSEMBLYAs the warp propulsion system is the heart of the USSEnterprise, the matter/antimatter reaction assembly (M/ARA)is the heart of the warp propulsion system. The M/ARA isvariously called the warp reactor, warp engine core, or mainengine core. Energy produced within the core is sharedbetween its primary application, the propulsion of the starship,and the raw power requirements of other major ship systems.The M/ARA is the principal power-generating system becauseof the 10 6 times greater energy output of the matter/antimatter reaction over that of standard fusion, as found inthe impulse propulsion system.The M/ARA consists of four subsystems: reactant injectors,m" .letic constriction segments, matter/antimatter reactionchamber, and power transfer conduits.REACTANT INJECTORSThe reactant injectors prepare and feed precisely controlledstreams of matter and antimatter into the core. Thematter reactant injector (MRI) accepts supercold deuteriumfrom the primary deuterium tankage (PDT) in the upper bulgeof the Engineering Hull and partially preburns it in a continuousgas-fusion process. It then drives the resulting gasesthrough a series of throttleable nozzles into the upper magneticconstriction segment. The MRI consists of a conicalstructural vessel 5.2 x 6.3 meters, constructed of dispersionstrengthenedwoznium carbmolybdenide. Twenty-five shockattenuation cylinders connect it to the PDT and the majorspacecraft framing members on Deck 30, maintaining 98%thermal isolation from the remainder of the Battle Section. Ineffect, the entire WPS "floats" within the hull in order towithstand 3x theoretical operational stresses.Within the MRI are six redundant cross-fed sets of injectors,each injectorconsisting of twin deuterium inlet manifolds,fuel conditioners, fusion preburner, magnetic quench block,transfer duct/gas combiner, nozzle head, and related controlhardware. Slush deuterium enters the inlet manifolds atcontrolled flow rates and passes to the conditioners, whereheat is removed to bring the slush to just above the solidtransition point. Micropellets are formed, prebumed bymagnetic pinch fusion, and sent down into the gas combiner,where the ionized gas products are now at 10 6 K. The nozzleheads then focus, align, and propel the gas streams into theconstriction segments. Should any of the nozzles fail, thecombiner would continue to supply the remaining nozzles,which would dilate to accommodate the increased supply.Each nozzle measures 102 x 175 cm and is constructed offrumium-copper-yttrium 2343.At the opposite end of the M/ARA lies the antimatterreactant injector (ARI). The internal design and operation oftheARI is distinctly different from that of the MRI, owing to thehazardous nature of the antimatter fuel. Every step in manipulatingand injecting antihydrogen must be undertaken with