franchise-star-trek-tng-technical-manual1

5.3.4 Subspace field geometry of Galaxy class starship100 10 1 0.1 0.1 1 10 100 10Relative field differential (percent)at 1000 millicochranesAft field lobeForward field lobePitch changes are affected by a combination of timing differencesand plasma concentrations.Third, the shape of the starship hull facilitates slippageinto warp and imparts a geometric correction vector. TheSaucer Module, which retains its characteristic shape fromthe original concept of an emergency landing craft, helpsshape the forward field component through the use of a 55°elliptical hull planform, found to produce superior peak transitionalefficiency. The aft hull undercut allows for varyingdegrees of field flow attachment, effectively preventing pinwheeling,owing to the placement of the nacelles off thevehicle Y-axis center of mass. During Saucer Module separationand independent operation of the Battle Section, interactivewarp field controller software adjusts the field geometryto fit the altered spacecraft shape (See: 5.1). In the event ofaccidental loss of one or both nacelles, the starship wouldlinearly dissociate, due to the fact that different parts of thestructure would be traveling at different warp factors.