| 'TREKNOLOGY' |
 |
| OF THE FEDERATION |
One of the driving forces behind Star Trek's success has been the excellent and very plausible scientific framework that the show's built around. Over the period of thirty years we've been introduced to Dilithium, Transporters, Warp Drive and so forth. After all, this is a science fiction show, so fictional science should play a part. The science in Star Trek is world famous, and the 'techno-babble' that lies behind it is legendary. Here we'll have a look at some of these 'treknological' marvels and explore just what makes them tick. I've provided a brief layman's glossary to help understand the nuances of principal 24th century technological devices and elementary terms. If there is something you'd like explained, mail me.
This new innovation in hull armouring involves the
complimenting of natural hull materials with an ablative matrix to vaporize and
dissipate energy from enemy weapons emissions, thereby reinforcing overall
integrity.
The Defiant Class was one of the first Starship classes to have this technology implemented.
ANDROID
As
basically described in Webster's Twenty Fourth Century
Dictionary, Fifth Addition, an android is "an automaton made to resemble a
human being". The most advanced and complete of all known androids were created
by human cyberneticist Dr. Noonien Soong. Being highly sophisticated devices,
employing fully operational positronic brains, utilizing neural networks and
heuristic algorithms, they are superior to humans in many ways, including
physical strength and endurance, speed, reflexes and intellect, -whilst possessing
a vast array of programmed data and information.
In fact, the most well known of these Soong androids, Data, is a Starfleet Officer serving amongst others, on the Federation flagship. In 2365, Data was granted full individual rights for freedom of choice, and will, by Judge Advocate General Louvois, which guaranteed constitutional protection as a citizen of the Federation. (For more details, see Talking Points page 2)
This integrated component of the transporter's energizing coils creates a spatial matrix which ensures a transport object is confined to the necessary beam radius targeted by the molecular imaging scanners. This is essential in order for the subject to be safely dematerialized into a subatomic debonded matter stream.
Material whose properties are opposite to normal matter, ie, an electron carries a negative charge, and positrons carry a positive charge, being basically positive electrons. When normal matter contacts its material opposite, a 'mutual annihilation effect' occurs. Such huge energetic reactions are employed as power generators in starship propulsion, as well as explosive devices (see Photon Torpedo).
The magnetic containment of lethal antimatter in the warp core is essential. On contact with normal matter, mutual annihilation is unavoidable, but seeing as magnetic forcefields are not essentially 'matter', it is the ideal method of containing antimatter. The basic 'fuel' for warp engines is anti-deuterium in a slush like mixture, which is protected from contacting the surface of the storage pods by these magnetic seals. Failure of these systems, and their back up units would result in a core breach, or 'antimatter explosion', resulting in the complete destruction of the Starship. Such a malfunction is extremely rare as many safeguards are employed to maintain total antimatter containment.
BEARING
Bearing
is the term used to describe the navigation and directional trajectory of a
course plotted for Starship movements.
Flight vectors are specified as an azimuth/elevation relative to the current orientation of the space vehicle. Bearing 000 Mark 0 is for instance a course direction straight ahead. As my rough diagram demonstrates, the first value represents an azimuth in degrees, the second describes the elevation. With this technique, all possible omni-directional spatial vectors can be plotted.
This system is further clarified by the term 'heading', which is a system involving navigational bearings calculated in relation to the galactic core, where Heading 000 Mark 0 is a course for the centre of the galaxy, which has no applicable relationship to ones current spatial location. It can be compared to directional measurements on a planet's surface, where bearings are based on degrees from north. Other celestial objects can be used for navigation beacons and rulers, particularly key stars, such as Canopus which is regularly nominated as a point of reference.
A supplement to traditional computer circuitry hardware used aboard modern Starships. First innovated by the Intrepid Class ships, these devices employ an organic gelatinous solution of synthetic neural cells, which when used in data management and transfer greatly improve speed and processing efficiency.
Safety devices employed within transporter systems to guarantee the non-transference of volatile or infectious particulates caught in a the matter stream, or carried by the transport subject. The device is responsible for scanning and removing only known contaminants for which it is programmed.
BRIDGE
General
term of marine origin used to describe the principal operations, and command
centre of a Starship. Smaller craft usually have the fixed designation of
'cockpit'. Essential ship functions such as navigation, sensors and tactical
operations are conducted in this location. Additionally,
various stations, and monitoring consoles provide access to computer,
propulsion, life-support, engineering, and science operations.
Mostly located on the very top of the vessel's 'primary hull', or saucer section, Starships normally have a secondary 'Battle Bridge' as a means of ancillary control in the event of a saucer separation, or in an emergency situation when the primary bridge is in a non-functioning state. Principal ship officers have workstations on the Bridge, and the Captain would normally have an annex to the Bridge where his or her personal office, or 'Ready Room' is situated. With some class vessels, particularly battle or defense orientated ships, the Bridge may be neighboured by the Captain's and senior officer's quarters.
BUSSARD COLLECTORS also known as 'Bussard Ramscoop'
A coloured and sometimes
hemispherical device at forward end of warp nacelles on Federation Starships.
Named after 20th century physicist Robert Bussard (pronounced Boo-sard), these
devices charged with ionizing radiation collect surrounding space gases
(hydrogen) for fuel replenishment. Only small amounts can be garnered, and is
not designed as a technique for complete, long term refuelling.
Device used upon Starships of
varying designs and belonging to various races, as a primary means of defence
via camouflage.
The system utilizes photon distortion fields to bend light around the vessel to render it visually undetectable. This lens-like pocket modifies and deforms the surrounding movement and flow of photons, gravitons and electrons etc. which in turn is complemented by both secondary and tertiary layers of particle scattering fields. The combined effect creates a impenetrable camouflage to prevent the vessel being detected by traditional EM sensor sweeps. Advanced anti-proton scans and tachyon screens can on occasion provide a momentary means to penetrate the cloak. (This explanation is of my own basic conjecture, because I know of no Trek science behind the technology)
The Romulans and Klingons are races known to use Cloaking Devices throughout their fleet. With this system, the energy field created renders their vessels undetectable to sensors, and the eye. Significant power drainage will occur though in order to maintain a stable cloak, and as such weapon systems are rendered cold until the cloak is disengaged and normal power distribution is restored.
The Treaty of Algeron prohibits the use of the technology by the Federation, and as a consequence, the Federation's enemies have had a significant military advantage for many decades. On one occasion, in 2358, the Federation illegally tested a prototype cloaking device aboard the USS Pegasus, resulting in catastrophic malfunctions which effectively shelved plans to develop the technology at that time.
COMBADGE also known as 'Communicator'
Small communicating device
usually worn on Federation uniforms. In the form of the Starfleet Insignia,
modern communicators are carried in this
fashion, and are activated by a simple touch. Messages aboard the ship are
conveyed by the intra-ship communication system.
As well as carrying personal transponders, these devices are known to employ lifesign monitors, and even integrated Universal Translator circuitry.
DEFLECTOR DISH
Device used by
virtually all space faring vehicles, fashioned in one form or another. Usually mounted
ventrally, this large dish disperses potentially hazardous space material from
the ship's flight path, including meteoroids, harmful particles, and other
debris.
The dish can occasionally be modified to channel a large quantity of energy as a weapon, but only in extreme circumstances as the energy requirements drain significant power reserves from other ship systems, notably the warp engines.
Rare and valuable crystalline ore with high energy emission properties. Such crystals are used to regulate and refine the matter/antimatter reactions needed to maintain warp fields in faster than light propulsion systems on Starships. This substance is the only one known to be non-reactive with antimatter, for it allows the anti-hydrogen to permeate its crystalline structure without the effects of normal physical contact. It is this effect which allows the primary reactions of the matter/antimatter annihilations rates to be safely channeled via the power transfer conduits to the warp coils along the interior of the nacelles. Here the energy is used to form the subspace fields necessary for warp propulsion to be attained. (See 'Nacelles' for more.)
In the early episodes of TOS, this substance was referred to as 'Lithium'. Since this was a real, known element with established properties, the tag was changed to 'Dilithium' to create the sense of an magical and unknown material that could make warp speed possible.
DURANIUM
Highly durable metal alloy used in the construction of amongst other things, Starship hulls.
EPS Taps
Standing for 'ElectroPlasma System Taps', this is basically a system of microwave power transmission waveguides. These waveguides are components of the Warp system, and channel plasma back into the energy reserves for general electrical power usage throughout the ship.
FUSION REACTOR
Power generator which employs the nuclear fusion of hydrogen isotopes into helium. These devices are incorporated into the Impulse propulsion systems aboard Federation Starships. Numerous other 'auxiliary' fusion reactors channel power to ship's systems when the impulse and warp systems (EPS) are off-line, or inactive for whatever reason.
GRAVITY GENERATORS
Gravity generator networks are employed throughout a vessel's interior to provide the proper sense of downward gravitational force, this provides both biological advantages and psychological comfort for extended periods operating and dwelling in space. Power from the EPS network feeds the small cylindrical units, this in turn powers the superconducting central gyroscopic rotational disc, which emits low energy gravitons through a chrylon gas solution. Various field bleed ratios can be programmed, resulting in a stable, synthesized gravity environment.
Component of the transporter systems that regulate the intricate positional vectors of subatomic particles in a transporter matter stream.
HOLODECK
Virtual reality simulator whose
matrices are indistinguishable from the real thing. Utilizing 3D holographic
projectors, as well as low level transporter technology, it is possible to
simulate any object with fine precision. And with complex preprogramming, the educational,
recreational, and design applications are limitless.
(for more comments and problems I've observed see inconsistencies)
HYPOSPRAY
An advanced medical tool designed for the subcutaneous infusion and dispersal of drug solutions into a patient. The technology utilizes a fine-nozzled high pressure aerosuspension delivery system, hence rendering the old-style syringe obsolete.
Secondary, sub-light propulsion system used on Federation Starships for approximately the last two centuries. Powered by at least one fusion reactor, this system employs a traditional linear thrust effect to propel the ship through normal space up to velocities approaching one quarter the speed of light at maximum yield. Though due to relativistic time dilation effects approaching the speed of light in this manner, such prolonged usage is not recommended, and a more manageable 1/4 impulse power is usually employed for extended sub-light cruising -(one 16th of c).
INERTIAL DAMPERS
Counter measure designed to sustain and absorb natural inertia of a vessel's movement through space. Forcefields positioned at specific locations through the craft's interior compensate for the various acceleration/deceleration forces that would normally be harmful to crew and hull integrity.
ISOLINEAR OPTICAL CHIPS (IOC's)
Highly advanced computer storage and processing device used in computing in the 24th century. First introduced in the early part of the century, this greatly improved on the previous Duotronics system which had endured for almost a century. Composed of 'linear memory crystal' employing onboard nanoprocessors throughout, the chip can process an estimated 335% faster than preceding crystal memory cards. A typical IOC has an overall capacity of 2.15 Kiloquads of data per chip.
JEFFERIES TUBES
This term refers to the system of multiple access tunnels which permeate a starship from deck to deck. These tunnels usually lie in key maintenance and access areas. As well as providing escape routes during an emergency they are an ancillary means of passage in the event of turbolift failure. But their primary function permits personnel to gain entry to critical engineering maintenance locations along utilities conduits and waveguide routes. (Named after Matt Jefferies -TOS art director, and designer of the original Enterprise.)
LCARS
Standing for 'Library
Computer Access and Retrieval System', this is the primary computer operating
system used throughout the Federation in the 24th century.
Utilizing a highly sophisticated AI matrix and multifunctional graphic display organization, it provides both keyboard and verbal interface for simplicity of use.
Primary Universal Translator software employing complex sets of algorithmic progressions which are designed to read and translate extraterrestrial languages. After scanning brain wave frequencies and activity, it forms multi-layered vocabulary matrices involving grammatical patterns, syntax and even cultural factors before compiling and transmitting the data to the second subject's brain for interpretation. As part of the Translator circuitry, Linguacode would normally be used in situations whereby an alien language is initially encountered, particularly in first contact situations, but it's necessary via Starfleet protocols that adequate sampling of the unknown language be made first, and be fully analysed. This is to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. Most Combadges also incorporate some limited linguacode programs for real time, on the spot translations.
MATTER/ANTIMATTER REACTION CHAMBER
Part of the warp drive system which houses the controlled contact and intermix of matter and antimatter. Regulated by the dilithium, the resulting mutual annihilation rates produce the enormous energy necessary to generate a stable warp field.
MAIN DEFLECTOR DISH
See 'Deflector Dish'.
The term 'nacelle' refers to the outer casing of the warp coil
assembly on Federation starships. Offset to compliment the vessel's centre of
gravity the nacelle housing incorporates rows of massive field coils which are
necessary to collect plasma and transform it into a subspace field.
They generate a multilayered field which surrounds the ship, and depending on various refinements and manipulations of this field certain degrees of warp factor are possible. The converted field energy is emitted from the nacelle structure causing alterations, sometimes visible ones to spatial geometry behind the vessel. Changes in the overall ship's mass are also noted, as the transitional threshold is reached. The vehicle is then propelled beyond c, and through the warp barrier.
NANITES
Microscopic robotic
devices designed for various tasks employed at the molecular level. Possessing
gigabytes of programmed data, and measuring only nanometres across, they were
initially conceived as a medical instrument to treat and repair damaged cells.
As the technology is developed many other applications may become possible.
Manufacture of the devices was halted for a while though in 2366 after to a new and unexpected discovery was made in their social relationships and learning capabilities. For a cluster of uniquely interacting nanites were responsible for ship wide malfunctions on the USS Enterprise. Investigations revealed that the nanites had achieved certain qualities of sentience and self awareness. After removal from the ships systems, the group of nanites were granted individual freedom of will, and were eventually given colonization rights on Kavis Alpha IV.
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