franchise-star-trek-tng-technical-manual1

5.10.1 In an extreme emergency, both the warp core and antimatter pods can be ejected.Sequential ejection of antimatterpod assembliesEjection of M/ARAjJettisoned antimatter loadingport exterior hull plateJettisoned M/ARAexterior hull plateIn some cases, damaged hardware is jettisoned, althoughsecurity considerations will require the retention of theequipment whenever possible. In the event that all normalemergency procedures fail to contain massive WPS damage,including a multilayer safety forcefield around the core, twofinal actions are possible. Both involve the ejection of theentire central WPS core, with the added possible ejection ofthe antimatter storage pod assembly. The first option isdeliberate manual sequence initiation; the second, automaticcomputer activation.potential to vaporize the entire starship, multiply-redundantsafety systems are in place to minimize the failure conditionsof the pod containment devices. Structural or system failureswould be analyzed by the computer as with the warp core, andthe complete pod assembly would be propelled away from theship. A manual ejection option, while retained in the emergencycomputer routines, is not generally regarded as workablein a crisis situation, due mainly to timing constraintsrelated to magnetic valve and transfer piping purge events.Core ejection will occur when pressure vessel damage issevere enough to breach the safety forcefield. Ejection willalso occur if the damage threatens to overwhelm the structuralintegrity field system enough to prevent the safe retentionof the core, whether or not the WPS continues to providepropulsive energy. The survival of the crew and the remainderof the starship is deemed in most cases to take priority overcontinued vessel operations. If the impulse propulsion systemis operable, vessel movement may be possible to enhancesurvival prospects. Scenario-specific procedures withinthe main computer will suggest the proper actions leading topersonnel rescue. During combat operations, the core will becommanded to self-destruct once a safe distance has beenachieved.Damage sustained by the antimatter storage pod assemblymay require its rapid ejection from the Engineering Hull.Since the antimatter reactant supply possesses the energy