Main Bridge

Located on Deck One at the very top of the primary hull, the Main Bridge of the Starship Enterprise allows for the supervision of all shipboard operations. The nerve center of the starship, the Bridge is constantly manned by the Senior Staff of the vessel - sans Chief Engineer and Chief Medical Officer - and has workstations dedicated to control every shipboard function. From this single location, the Commanding Officer could supervise all operations aboard the spacecraft.

Maintaining the traditional layout of workstations established on the earliest Starfleet vessels, the Enterprise's Bridge has returned to the warmer, carpeted interiors of the late 24th over the dark and utilitarian look of the early 25th Century. When originally launched the Bridge of the Enterprise was somewhat compact when compared to its historic ancestors but was modified during a short refit after the Enterprise's mission profile was changed in 2439. Various workstations have been built into the perimeter of the bridge while the vessel's major functions have been assigned workstations near the Captain's Chair. A large forward viewscreen provides access to information from the Enterprise's sensors and the starship's dedication plaque is located next to the display.

Primary access to the Bridge from the lower decks of the Enterprise is provided by Turbolifts located on the aft starboard and forward port sides of the Enterprise's Bridge. Access doors located at the forward starboard and aft port provide personnel with access to Security Checkpoints that lead on to Deck One. The forward exit allows personnel easy access to the Captain's Ready Room, while the port entryway allows access to the Executive Conference Room.

Layout

Central Stations - Command Operations

Captain's Chair

Located in the exact center of the Bridge, the Captain's Chair is the primary command station aboard the Enterprise and provides the Captain with an unobstructed view of the vessel's viewscreen. Previously, the Captain's Chair was isolated in the center of the Bridge; however, due to changes in crew allocation, the Bridge was reengineered to feature additional seating for the command team. The Captain's Chair itself is mounted on a circular pillar that can swivel so that the duty officer could address any member of the bridge crew with ease. Status displays provide an at-a-glance readiness review of the ship's status to the Captain, with the panels on the right controlling communications, tactical, and the viewscreen functions, while the interface on the left accesses flight control, operations priorities, and the ship's library. In an emergency situation the Enterprise can be controlled from the Command Chair alone, requiring it to be among the most secure workstations aboard the ship.

Command Stations

Two command stations, each flanking the Captain's Chair, have been installed to be used by the ship's Executive Officer (or Duty Officer) and a Mission Specialist (usually the Ship's Counselor) to monitor starship operations. Consisting of a large, specialized console, the Command Stations incorporate a variety of functions, including communications, library computer, navigation, and tactical access.

Status Display

Positioned between Tactical I and Tactical II, the Status Display is a general use control console that could be configured to meet a diverse range of needs depending upon the mission profile. In typical situations, the Status Display was configured to provide informational readouts related to the Enterprise's overall status.

Tactical I

Located on the starboard side of the large, horseshoe shaped workstation on the back of the Bridge, Tactical I is dedicated to the protection of the Starship Enterprise. In the event of danger to the ship information from the Threat Assessment/Tracking/Targeting System allows the user to respond to risks, giving the user control over the ship's phasers, torpedoes, and shields. Built in intrusion detection systems monitor the ship for internal threats, allowing for the coordination of security matters aboard the vessel.

Tactical II

Located on the port side of the Enterprise's Bridge, Tactical II was used to address secondary Tactical priorities including communications, probes, tractor beams, and transporters usage. Most commonly manned during fleet operations, Tactical II also provided backup to the primary Tactical station when needed.

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Forward Stations - Flight Operations

Navigation

Designed to maximize speed and efficiency of input, Navigation (or Helm) manages flight control functions aboard the Enterprise. Located on the starboard side of the flight operations terminal, the officer manning this console is responsible for piloting the Enterprise (as well as supervising automated flight operations), setting course, and monitoring for any dangers on the ship's course. As a supplement to the Operations Manager, the Helm can review the vessel's long-range and navigational sensors, manage the ship's propulsion systems, and monitor the Enterprise's subspace field geometry to maximize efficiency.

Operations

The Operations Station (or Ops), located in the forward port workstation, is responsible for coordinating the operations of all departments aboard the Starship Enterprise. While resource allocation is routinely handled by the Main Computer, Ops can be used to evaluate departmental resource needs and then prioritize resource allocation based upon mission priorities or the orders of the Enterprise's Commander to overcome conflicting needs. Additionally, Ops is the primary link to the Enterprise's Computer systems and can be used to quickly diagnose the ship's condition as well as access or override any function aboard the spacecraft.

Status Display

Positioned between Navigation and Operations control panels, the Status Display provide detailed readouts related to the Enterprise's general status. In its default configuration, this workstation incorporates Astrogator functions, monitoring data from the Enterprise's navicomputer to assist with stellar navigation. Emergency Override functions are also built into this console, allowing a user to override any command entered into the Enterprise's computers.

Viewscreen

Located at the front of the Bridge, the Viewscreen of the Enterprise is a large, holographic display that occupies the forward bulkhead. Similar to a land vehicle's "windshield," the Viewscreen typically shows visuals from the Enterprise's forward sensors but can display images from any external sensor array regardless of orientation. A computerized heads-up display projects over the images, allowing crew to analyze sensor data or review information from the ship's computers germane to the ship's mission. In support of Enterprise's exploratory assignments, visual communications (both internal and external to the ship) can be projected on the Viewscreen for ease of contact.

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Port Stations - Internal Operations

Engineering I

Facing inward on the port side of the Bridge, Engineering is a freestanding workstation on the Bridge of the Enterprise that allows the Chief Engineer (or their designee) to manage the Engineering department from the Bridge. Engineering incorporates displays that replicate information provided in Main Engineering, permitting an Engineer to monitor the Enterprise's performance and evaluate the ship's overall status. Engineering also provides a detailed overview and control over the Enterprise's engines, allowing Engineers to make changes to the ship's systems, conduct diagnostics or complete recalibrations to ensure optimal efficiency.

Engineering II

Located closest to the Viewscreen on the port side of the Bridge, Engineering II has been configured to used to control and monitor the various Propulsion Systems of the Enterprise. Atypical on the Bridge of a starship since the late 23rd century, the specialized displays of the Propulsion Systems allow enhanced monitoring due to the vessel's experimental Coaxial Warp Propulsion System.

Environment

While heavily automated aboard Federation starships, the Environment station allows personnel to monitor the status of the vessel's life-support systems in a crisis situation. When manned a user may conduct routine maintenance of the life-support systems of the spacecraft, monitoring atmospheric conditions aboard the ship. As needed, users may use this workstation to modify the output of the life-support system, rerouting life-support's power or even turning it off in certain areas aboard the ship, as well as venting atmosphere from entire locations aboard the ship.

Mission Operations

Located closest to the port exit, Mission Operations is a specialized workstation that is designed to support the Enterprise's Operation's Manager. In its default configuration, the Mission Operations console monitors secondary missions occurring aboard the Enterprise, coordinates away missions, and manages the operations of the Enterprise's Shuttlebays. Mission Operations monitors communications and allows the Bridge crew control over the Transporter system, as well as priority monitoring of secondary sensor usage to help prevent resource conflicts among the various departments aboard the vessel.

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Rear Stations - Systems Operations

Master Situation Display

The Master Situation Display is a large, wall-mounted computer display on the starboard aft bulkhead of the Enterprise Bridge. Highly detailed, the Master Systems Display incorporates detailed readouts corresponding to the Enterprise and its overall mission and incorporates a large cutaway diagram of the vessel that shows the location of key systems and hardware, pinpointing systems operating outside of normal parameters and even personnel.

Master Systems Display

Replicating the functions of the Master Systems Table in Main Engineering, The Master Systems Display is a large, wall-mounted computer display on the port aft bulkhead of the Enterprise Bridge. Highly detailed, the Master Systems Display allows users to get an at-a-glance update on the overall status of the Enterprise and can be configured to give direct access to control preferences for many shipboard systems. In an emergency the Master Systems Display can be used to directly control any system aboard the spacecraft as well.

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Starboard Stations - External Operations

Communications

Located closest to the Viewscreen on the Bridge's starboard bulkhead, Communications is the workstation dedicated to managing all external and internal transmissions aboard the Enterprise. As part of its role, the Communications console monitors and controls the Universal Translator, managing its search routines and updating the linguacode databases with new languages encountered. In addition to compiling reports and other transmissions, Communications handles encryption and decryption routines for messages from Starfleet.

Science I

A mirror image of the Engineering Station, Science I is a freestanding workstation used to interpret information received from the Enterprise's sensors and probes. In addition to monitoring the external environment, Science I gathers and coordinates information from the various laboratories aboard the Enterprise. Priority linkages with the Enterprise's LCARS Computer Network allow the user to rapidly access information related to scientific investigation, allowing the Chief Science Officer to evaluate information received for dissemination to appropriate personnel.

Science II

Located in the center of the starboard workstations, Science II serves Astrometrics functions and is used to chart stars, planets, nebulae, and other stellar bodies. While part of the Science division, Science II works closely with Flight Control and assists in monitoring Enterprise's course, often helping to determine the ship's position and analyzes any anomalies or dangers detected. Featuring priority connections to the Enterprise's Astrometrics and Stellar Cartography Laboratories, Science II supports the Chief Scientist in the investigation of stellar and planetary phenomenon, with such investigations often being prioritized to this workstation.

Science III

Often utilized by a member of the Enterprise's Medical Staff, Science III is used to investigate any lifeforms encountered by the starship. With its primary focus on the study of living organisms (including biology, botany, zoology, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, and related subjects), Science III has priority connections with Starfleet Medical, and its databases are directly connected with the medical computers in Sickbay. In addition to monitoring life outside of the ship, Life Sciences also monitors the overall health and well-being of the Enterprise's crew.

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Disclaimer

The Enterprise Bridge began life as the USS Emmett Till - Deck 01: Main Bridge designed by Tadeo D'Oria. No infringement intended.