Faster Than Light Propulsion Systems

Primary Faster Than Light Propulsion System

Warp Propulsion System

At the heart of any starship is the Matter/Antimatter Reactor (M/AMR), more commonly known as the Warp Propulsion System or Warp Drive. This technology is the linchpin of interstellar civilization, serving as the marker of an advanced society. Under the Federation's Prime Directive, warp capability is deemed the threshold of technical and psychological maturity required for First Contact. This engine allows ships to cross vast distances in days that would otherwise take years at impulse speeds, making trade and exploration across the galaxy viable.

Historically, different cultures discovered this phenomenon at varying rates. The Vulcans achieved Warp 7 by 2151, while the Klingons reached Warp 6 in the same era. On Earth, the space warp phenomenon was discovered by Zefram Cochrane following World War III. Using a converted Titan II missile, Cochrane launched the Phoenix on April 5, 2063, an event that drew Vulcan attention and led to Earth's First Contact. Following this, the Bonaventure became the first deep-space starship to incorporate the technology while the Enterprise NX-01 was the first United Earth vessel to achieve Warp 5. Due to the efforts of United Earth to build relationships with its neighbors (the Andorian Empire, Confederacy of Vulcan, and the United Planets of Tellar) the United Federation of Planets was born.

The Warp Drive achieves faster-than-light travel by annihilating antimatter with matter in a reaction controlled by dilithium crystals. The resulting energy is channeled through three primary components: the Matter/Antimatter Reaction Assembly, the Power Transfer Conduits, and the Warp Nacelles. Together, these systems provide the propulsion necessary to warp space and power the ship’s essential systems. The cochrane is the standard unit used to measure subspace field stress and spatial distortion.

The specifications for the Century Class Warp Propulsion System were initially based on the Sovereign Class. Early plans called for a sustained cruising speed of Warp 5 and a maximum top speed of Warp 9.7 for twelve hours. However, computer modeling revealed the design could achieve significantly higher performance. Specifications were subsequently revised to a normal cruising velocity of Warp 6, a maximum cruising speed of Warp 8, and an impressive top speed of Warp 9.992 for up to twelve hours. Following these revisions, prototype engine components were fabricated and installed for testing, successfully overcoming several early materials failures. With this process completed, the prototype Century Class vessel existed as a flyable space vessel for the first time in the design's history.

Matter/Antimatter Reaction Assembly

The Matter/Antimatter Reaction Assembly is the component of the Warp Drive where matter and antimatter are introduced to one another, generating incredible amounts of power through the annihilation of the distinct particle types. The assembly contains three component parts: the Reactant Injectors, the Magnetic Constriction Segments; and the Matter/Antimatter Reaction Chamber itself. These component parts are combined into a single Warp Core with the Matter Reactant Injector located at the top of the Core and the Antimatter Reactant Injector located at its base.

The Matter Reactant Injector is a conical structure that distributes deuterium fuel from the Enterprise's Deuterium Tanks into the Warp Core for energy generation. The slush deuterium fuel is injected into the system at specially controlled rates, where a specialized process is employed to preburn the liquid into a gas solution that can be driven through the upper Magnetic Constriction segments. The Matter Reactant Injector incorporates a series of ssix-lobed injector assembly design that allows for seven reactant streams to insert their fuels into the Magnetic Constriction Segments of the Warp Core, allowing the materials to be injected into the Matter/Antimatter Reaction Chamber. Should any of the independent injectors fail, internal failsafes would employ to accommodate the increased supply and ensure stability of the entire system.

Located on the opposite side of the Matter/Antimatter Reactor, the Antimatter Reactant Injector uses an antimatter fuel to help create the powerful reaction that powers the vessel. Outwardly, the Antimatter Reactant Injectors appear similar to the counterpart Matter Reactant Injector and include a similar structure and shock absorption system; however, the internal components are somewhat different due to the hazardous nature of the antimatter fuel used by the Enterprise. The Antimatter Injector is specially modified with magnetic suspension fuel tunnels that have been purpose built to prevent the vessel's antimatter fuel from coming into contact with normal matter. Flow separators deconstructed the antimatter fuel as it enters the system, sending the gas to the injector assembly where the computer systems closely regulate the distribution of the fuel into the Warp Core.

The largest structure within the Warp Core, the Magnetic Constriction Segments provide structural support to the Matter/Antimatter Reaction Chamber, align the Enterprise's fuels, and provide a pressure vessel to maintain the operating environment for the generation of power. The Magnetic Constrictor Coils compress each stream of matter and antimatter released into the system to direct the fuels to their proper destination within the Dilithium Articulation Frame. Each segment contains the necessary hardware to ensure the safe operation of the Warp Propulsion System, with redundant sets of magnetic constrictor coils, tension frame members, torodial pressure vessels, and control hardware. Redundant structural integrity field generators are constructed into the Warp Core assembly to reinforce the structure, especially in combat situations.

The Matter/Antimatter Reaction Chamber comprises two bell-shaped structures that are joined together to channel the flow of the distinct fuels used to power the Enterprise. Located within the center of the chamber, the Dilithium Articulation Frame holds the Dilithium crystals that are used to manage the reactants. The only substance that does not react to antimatter when subjected to a high-frequency electromagnetic field, both matter and antimatter can pass through a Dilithium Crystal without touching it or to come into contact with each other. Computer controlled rotation allows for the manipulation of the manner in which the reactants meet within the Dilithium Articulation Frame, allowing for greater control and a "cleaner" power source. This process allows the fuels to come into contact with each other safely, which are quickly annihilated in a reaction producing an enormous amount of energy quickly. Creating an intense plasma, this energy is then directed to the Power Transfer Conduits immediately afterward to safely distribute energy and power the propulsion systems.

Matter/Antimatter Fuel Storage

Primary fuel storage for the Starship Enterprise is provided by the Primary Deuterium Tank located within the vessel's Stardrive Section, with supplemental tankages in the Primary Hull. A sophisticated, compartmentalized pressure vessel, the Deuterium Tank feeds both the Warp Propulsion System and the Impulse Propulsion System through a complex network of fueling manifolds with its cargo of Slush Deuterium. The Enterprise's Deuterium fuel is loaded into the ship through two loading ports located along the structural spine of the Stardrive Section, and include fittings for pressure relief, purge inlets, and hardline connections to the ship's optical data network. While the fuel reserves of the Century Class are anticipated in last for five years, the Bussard Collectors within the Warp Nacelles can gather stray hydrogen to generate replacement fuel.

Located in the Stardrive Section with supplemental stores in the Primary Hull, the Antimatter Storage Pods are magnetized, self-contained units designed to store the antideuterium fuel used to generate power. Consisting of forty individual pods with a volume of 100 cubic meters, the Enterprise's supply is anticipated to last for five years. The pods themselves operate by generating magnetic containment fields, that isolate the antimatter from the pod walls and are connected to their distribution manifolds through shielded conduits. While Enterprise is outfitted with technology to generate small amounts of antimatter, the vessel's antimatter supply is typically refueled at a Starbase through a loading port located on the ventral surface of the ship's Engineering Hull or by tanker. If needed, the Antimatter Storage Pods can be replaced in under an hour; however, the fuel cannot be moved by standard transporters. In a true emergency, such as if magnetic containment begins to fail, the Antimatter Storage Pods can be ejected before a catastrophic reaction occurs.

Power Transfer Conduits and Warp Nacelles

Starfleet currently employs Variable Geometry Warp Nacelles on its vessels, an engine modification designed to mitigate the damage to the fabric of spacetime caused by high-speed travel and enables the engineers to create the most aerodynamic and efficient subspace bubble for any given environment. For routine operations the Warp Nacelles are accessible via a single-occupant Turbolift while a Docking Port allows direct access to the Nacelle from the vessel's exterior. Structurally, the Warp Nacelles are comprised of alloys based upon reinforced Duranium and Tritanium and are a complex assembly of systems including the Warp Field Coils, the Plasma Injection System, and an Emergency Separation System. Cobalt cotenide provides protection against warp-induced stress. All These technological advances allow the Enterprise to sustain high speeds for longer periods of time than most other Starfleet vessels, but they also introduce the risk of microfractures within the hull that could lead to destruction. To protect the ship shock absorption equipment, aided by the Structural Integrity Field and Inertial Damping Field, assists with protecting the nacelles during high speed maneuvers. Additionally, failsafe software is programmed to automatically disengage the Secondary Coils and reduce speed unless a manual override is authorized by both the Captain and the Chief Engineer. The Emergency Separation System could be engaged by the crew or automatically to eject a nacelle should the problem by unremedied, driving the nacelle safely away from the ship. Further, as pioneered on the Sovereign Class, emergency plasma purge vents integrated directly into the nacelle support pylons allow engineers to bleed off overheated plasma before it reaches the nacelles, preventing catastrophic damage to the warp drive during high-stress maneuvers or system overloads.

During engine start-up, the energetic plasma generated by the matter/antimatter reaction is split into two streams directed at near right angles to the ship's centerline through the Power Transfer Conduits. As the plasma moves through the conduits, magnetic constriction keeps the energy stream centered within each channel and forces the plasma toward the Warp Nacelles, which house the Plasma Injection System, the Warp Field Coils, and an Emergency Separation System. The Warp Field Coils ultimately utilize this energetic plasma to generate the propulsion necessary for warp travel while specialized Electroplasma System (EPS) taps are positioned at intervals to provide power to the rest of the ship's systems.

Located within the Warp Nacelle, the Plasma Injection System serves as the terminus for the Power Transfer Conduits and is comprised of valved magnetic injectors that are linked directly to the controllers. Each injector operates using a sophisticated firing sequence that varies based upon the speed requested for travel and diverts plasma into the Warp Field Coils, allowing the ship to achieve and maintain faster-than-light speeds. Predictive algorithms work to overcome any discrepancies in timing to ensure real-time operation.

The Warp Field aboard the Century Class is generated by utilizing the energy provided by the Warp Core to energize the 26 Primary Warp Field Coils and 48 Secondary Warp Field Coils located within the vessel's Warp Nacelles. Casted in Verterium Cortenide with cores of Tungsten-Cobalt-Magnesium, the Warp Field Coils are split toroid structures that are installed in closely matched pairs within each nacelle and, in total, attribute nearly a quarter of the weight of the starship. Because of the complex nature of their operation, the age difference between the youngest and oldest coils must never exceed six month's time to maintain appropriate safety factors. Through the sequential firing of the Warp Coils the starship shifts the energy frequencies carried by the Warp Plasma deep into the subspace domain, causing changes in the geometry of space that develops a multilayered Warp Field. Once created, by manipulating the specific shape of this field, the vessel will be able to travel at faster than light speeds.

Located at the forward end of each Warp Nacelle, the Bussard Ramscoops (named for physicist Robert W. Bussard) allow a starship to sweep the interstellar space to distill Deuterium when other fuel sources are unavailable. The Bussard Collectors are housed within the nacelle endcap and is managed by three primary assemblies: the Ionizing Beam Emitter, the Magnetic Field Generator/Collector, and the Continuous Cycle Fractionator. The Ionizing Beam Emitter projects a beam to ionize gas as the ship passes by. The Magnetic Field Generator/Collector then pulls these charged particles toward the intakes, working with the Navigational Deflector to allow gas through while maintaining the ship's structure. The incoming gases are then separated and transferred to holding tanks by the Continuous Cycle Fractionator. Additionally, the crew retains the ability to flush the ramscoops to eject any collected gases as needed.

Secondary Faster Than Light Propulsion Systems

Coaxial Warp Propulsion System

Century Class vessels, such as the Enterprise, are currently testing Starfleet's experimental Coaxial Warp Drive, a technology with a volatile history dating back to the mid-2250s. While early research under Professor Bendes Kettaract ended in a catastrophic subspace rupture in the Lantaru Sector, development resumed following the USS Voyager’s acquisition of a prototype in the Delta Quadrant.

Unlike standard Warp Drives that manipulate a field for linear propulsion, the Coaxial Drive (integrated into the existing Warp Drive) creates a standard Warp Field and then reconfigures the internal geometries of subatomic particles to "fold" space. The drive initiates through a "spooling up" process that can take at least 20 minutes from an offline state. Antineutrinos act as a catalyst for the space-folding process, while tetrahedral Boronite/Dilithium quartz focuses energy into a neutrino envelope to focus and amplify the effect. This process generates immense power levels, exceeding the annual output of a conventional warp drive in a compact package.

Achieving velocities far beyond Warp Factor 9.9, the ship runs no danger of accidentally colliding with celestial objects because it is not traversing normal space during use. While the drive has a theoretical maximum range of 360 light-years per jump, the vessel's sensor range is considered the "Red Line" (the maximum safely calculable distance) to avoid errors that could run the ship into hazards like a singularity, an asteroid belt, or a planet's atmosphere. Navigation using the Coaxial Drive is a complex mathematical process, but properly calculated jumps allow for precise arrivals in synchronous orbit without forward momentum while "blind jumps" remain extremely dangerous. Following a successful jump, the drive can be engaged again after as a 30 minute recharge period, but frequent, consecutive jumps cause severe, cumulative stress on the ship's hull and systems, making it unsustainable long-term. The Theoretical Propulsion Group recommends allowing up to 12 hours for the Coaxial Drive to recharge between jumps, with the craft using conventional Warp Drive in the interim.

Executing a jump creates significant localized spatial distortions manifesting as both a vacuum effect and a shockwave effect. As the ship dematerializes, the sudden loss of volume sucks in surrounding matter; in an atmosphere, this results in a clap of thunder as air rushes to fill the void. Conversely, the displacement produces a shockwave that can indent the hulls of nearby ships or cause severe structural damage to any craft not protected by a specific Coaxial Warp Field. Additionally, because the process operates similar to a folded-space transporter under the Elway Theorem, these jumps are known to induce nausea and physical illness among the crew.

To manage particle instabilities, a Polaric Modulator, functioning similarly to a mechanical carburetor, is used to dilute the particle stream entering the core. Personnel can also attempt to use a Symmetric Warp Field to force stability, though this creates a tactical vulnerability as a Chromoelectric field or pulse can be used to disable the drive. Failure to establish this field or prevent an overload can result in a catastrophic failure where, in the most severe cases, this leads to a detonation that destroys the vessel and collapses subspace for up to one billion kilometers around the point of failure.

Quantum Slipstream Burst Propulsion System

The Quantum Slipstream Burst Drive is an advanced propulsion system developed by Species 116 in the Delta Quadrant. Similar to the Transwarp Drive utilized by the Borg Collective, Slipstream allowed its user to exceed traditional warp factors by unprecedented speeds. While the Slipstream Drive is more energy-efficient than the Warp Drive, Slipstream requires more computer processing power than a Warp Drive due to the complex calculations needed to maintain the slipstream geometry. Despite the challenges, a smaller craft could enter and travel alongside the vessel generating a Slipstream Conduit without much risk.

Operating through a complex, precise reaction, generating a Slipstream Conduit begins by routing energy from the Quantum Drive in the Chevron Section to the Auxiliary Deflector Dish to emit high-energy tachyon bursts to alter the subspace field in front of the ship. This allows the vessel to penetrate the quantum barrier and create a Slipstream Conduit for travel. The process is, however, not without risk as the instabilities created by the Drive are a constant challenge for the vessel's crew and run the risk of overwhelming both structural integrity and the outer hull, especially as the vessel needed to project a Structural Integrity Field through the Navigational Deflector to compensate for gravimetric shear. Temporal stress was also a concern, requiring the need to fit the vessel with a Chroniton Integrator to project a chroniton field to maintain a temporal sync. In addition, the vessel could experience erratic power fluctuations during operation, increasing pressure on the Warp Propulsion System by flooding the system with tachyons and potentially triggering a Warp Core breach when operating in connected flight mode.

To successfully maintain the Slipstream Conduit, the vessel's Helm, Navigation, and Operations Officer continually monitor and adjust the phase variance of the quantum field to maintain the conduit's integrity, while Engineering would work to maintain the vessel's systems, specifically the Quantum Field Focus Controller that aided in maintaining systems in operational mode. Perhaps the most important component in the Slipstream Drive was the Multidimensional Wave-function Analysis module which allowed the starship to detect inter-dimensional rifts in subspace and temporal distortions that could risk deactivating the drive system. Should these processes fail the Slipstream Conduit would collapse and expel the ship back into normal space, often severely damaging if not destroying the vessel outright.

With a fully functional Quantum Slipstream Drive a starship could travel 300 light-years in less than an hour. Despite perfectly replicating the Drive from scans obtained by the USS Voyager, Starfleet has never been able to successfully replicate the Drive to the level of the original USS Dauntless nor acquire a sufficient supply of the rare mineral Benamite that regulates the Slipstream Drive. Instead, Starfleet has fielded the Quantum Slipstream Burst Drive using similar technology. The Burst Drive allows the user to open a Slipstream Conduit for 30 minutes before automatically shutting down, permitting travel of approximately 150 light-years. While a lighter version of the Slipstream Drive, the Burst Drive is not without risk and takes almost 12 hours to recharge after each use and near needs constant maintenance to remain operational.

Slower Than Light Propulsion Systems

Primary Slower Than Light Propulsion System

Impulse Propulsion System

Used for navigating solar systems, traveling within gravity wells, or engaging in sub-light combat, Impulse Propulsion Systems allow a starship to move at high velocities without engaging the warp drive. The Enterprise utilizes a configuration of three impulse assemblies: a primary engine located in the Primary Hull and two auxiliary engines housed within the Warp Nacelle pylons. These pylon engines, hidden behind baffles to scatter their energy signature for stealth, are critical for independent flight during Separated Flight Mode. Impressively, the fundamental design of these engines has remained remarkably consistent since 2169, operating on approximately one-millionth of the energy required for warp travel, yet requiring significant upkeep.

The Impulse Engine functions through a four-stage process beginning in the Impulse Reaction Chamber. Here, cryogenic slush deuterium is ignited in a proton-antiproton fusion reaction to generate high-energy plasma. This reaction provides both the physical thrust for the ship and a secondary power supply for all onboard systems. Due to the extreme thermal and radioactive stress of the fusion process, the reaction chamber must be replaced every 10,000 flight hours, while specific internal liners require service every 8,500 hours. The resulting plasma is then fed into the cylindrical Accelerator, which further excites the particles. During this stage, the computerized impulse power system command coordinator can divert energy via Electro-Plasma System (EPS) taps and Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) conduits to power the ship’s computers and internal systems, a capability essential if the Warp Drive is offline.

Propulsion efficiency is achieved through the Driver Coil Assembly, which performs a low-level space-time continuum distortion. This process, often called "continuum slippage," reduces the ship's apparent internal mass, allowing it to move masses that would be impossible through raw Newtonian reaction alone. The Accelerator and Driver Coil components require replacement every 6,250 hours, a task typically performed at Spacedock. Finally, the Vectored Exhaust Director expels the reaction by-products through movable vanes to provide steerable thrust, operating on the same fundamental principles as early chemical rockets.

Standard flight protocols strictly limit impulse velocities to 0.25c (one-quarter the speed of light). While the engines can achieve higher speeds, efficiency drops to 85% at 0.50c, and velocities above 0.75c lead to severe relativistic mass complications and time-dilation issues. At these higher speeds, time moves slower on the ship than on a stationary planet, necessitating that shipboard clocks continually resync with official Starfleet time. For emergency maneuvers, the system can utilize an Impulse Capacitance Cell for a temporary power burst or even inject antimatter into the fusion reactors for short periods of extreme overthrust.

Secondary Slower Than Light Propulsion System

Reaction Control System

The Reaction Control System (RCS), or "Thrusters" as they are more commonly called, provides the Enterprise with the low-velocity attitude and translational control necessary for station-keeping, three-axis stabilization, and delicate space dock maneuvers. In its docked configuration, the Enterprise utilizes six main and six auxiliary reaction control engines that are strategically divided between the ship's two sections. During separated flight, these systems operate independently under their own dedicated guidance and navigation software.

The primary RCS engines are prototype Impulse Thrusters, a high-performance thruster variant that are usually restricted to small craft. These thrusters are capable of significantly improving both speed and maneuverability by mirroring the technology found in larger Impulse Engines. Each thruster contains a fusion reaction chamber where deuterium fuel undergoes a gas-fusion reaction producing a high-energy plasma. Once generated, the plasma is fed into an Accelerator/Generator and a magnetohydrodynamic field trap. The energy is finally passed through the Driver Coil Assembly to create a field effect before reaching the upper and lower vectored-thrust exhaust nozzles, directing the force. If the ship's primary Impulse Engines fail, these prototype thrusters can propel the vessel at sublight speeds, though they are limited to a maximum of 0.1c.

Traditional RCS auxiliary engines supplement these primary thrusters. Each auxiliary unit consists of a microfusion chamber and channels its exhaust through the main RCS nozzles to generate 450,000 Newtons of thrust. While these units lack the MHD trap of the larger thrusters, they are vital for fine adjustments. Additionally, the RCS quads incorporate precision mooring beam tractor emitters to assist in close-quarters docking when external starbase beams are unavailable. To maintain peak performance, the inner walls of the main reaction chambers are serviced every 5,500 hours, while the auxiliary engines are rated for 4,500 hours of cumulative firing time.

Speed Chart

Warp Speed Distance Chart
Speed	Equals (xc)	Earth to Moon (400,000 km)	Across Sol System (12 billion km)	To nearby star (5 ly)	Across Sector (20 ly)	Across Federation (8,000 ly)	To Andromeda (2 million ly)
Full Thrusters	.00001	42.0 Hrs	142.0 Yrs	558,335.0 Yrs	2,000,000.0 Yrs	1.12 Billion Yrs	223.33 Billion Yrs
Full Impulse	.25	5.38 Sec	44.0 Hrs	20.0 Yrs	80.0 Yrs	40,000.0 Yrs	8,000,000 Yrs
Warp 1	1	1.3333 Sec	11.1 Hrs	5.0 Yrs	20.0 Yrs	8,000.0 Yrs	2,000,000 Yrs
Warp 2	10	0.1323 Sec	1.1 Hrs	181.1 Days	2.0 Yrs	793.7 Yrs	198,425.1 Yrs
Warp 3	39	0.0342 Sec	17.1 Mins	46.9 Days	187.5 Days	205.4 Yrs	51,360.1 Yrs
Warp 4	102	0.0131 Sec	6.6 Mins	18.0 Days	71.9 Days	78.7 Yrs	19,686.3 Yrs
Warp 5	214	0.0062 Sec	3.1 Mins	8.5 Days	34.2 Days	37.4 Yrs	9,356.9 Yrs
Warp 6	392	0.0034 Sec	1.7 Mins	4.6 Days	18.6 Days	20.4 Yrs	5,095.6 Yrs
Warp 7	656	0.0020 Sec	1.0 Mins	2.8 Days	11.1 Days	12.2 Yrs	3,048.2 Yrs
Warp 8	1,024	0.0013 Sec	39.1 Sec	1.8 Days	7.1 Days	7.8 Yrs	1,953.1 Yrs
Warp 9	1,516	0.0009 Sec	26.4 Sec	1.2 Days	4.8 Days	5.3 Yrs	1,318.9 Yrs
Warp 9.2	1,649	0.0008 Sec	24.3 Sec	1.1 Days	4.4 Days	4.9 Yrs	1,212.9 Yrs
Warp 9.6	1,909	0.0007 Sec	21.0 Sec	23.0 Hrs	3.8 Days	4.2 Yrs	1,047.7 Yrs
Warp 9.9	3,053	0.0004 Sec	13.1 Sec	14.4 Hrs	2.4 Days	2.6 Yrs	655.1 Yrs
Warp 9.99	7,912	0.0002 Sec	5.1 Sec	5.5 Hrs	22.2 Hrs	1.0 Yrs	252.8 Yrs
Warp 9.9999	199,516	0.0000 Sec	0.2 Sec	13.2 Mins	52.7 Mins	14.6 Days	10.0 Yrs
Warp 10	Infinite	An object at warp 10 travels at infinite speed, occupying all points in the universe simultaneously

Power Generation

Primary Power Systems

While Federation starships have multiple energy sources, Primary Power aboard the Enterprise is generated by the vessel's Propulsion Systems. The Coaxial Warp Core is the default source of energy while the Fusion Reactors of the Impulse Engines and the Quantum Slipstream Core supplement energy generation.

Electroplasma System (EPS)

Energy generated by the ship's primary power plants (specifically the Matter/Antimatter Reaction Chamber and the Impulse Reaction Chambers) is routed throughout the Enterprise by the vessel's Electro-Plasma System (EPS). Essential for energy distribution, the EPS refines and channels electro-plasma, a high-energy byproduct of the matter/antimatter reaction, to the various systems aboard the spacecraft. Engineers use specialized magnetic couplers known as EPS Taps, which are located directly on the Power Transfer Conduits, to avoid the resistance losses associated with standard cabling. Categorized into three types based on capacity, these taps divert the plasma flow into a sophisticated network of isomagnetic conduits and microwave power transmission waveguides.

Depending upon the needs of the Enterprise, this network of vacuum-sealed and magnetically shielded plasma manifolds can be adjusted to increase energy to a particular system; however, this runs the risk of exceeding the capacity of the conduits or the stability of the plasma. To compensate for this, the system uses various flow regulators, power converters, and secondary grids to mitigate risk and manage the diverse processes. Additionally, Enterprise's power conduits are constructed with additional redundancies and automatic magnetic interlocks that can be activated to reroute power during an emergency or following structural damage, isolating specific segments of the grid to prevent a catastrophic chain reaction.

Secondary Power Systems

In the event of a primary power failure or a catastrophic loss of the Matter/Antimatter Reaction Chamber, Starfleet vessels rely on a tiered hierarchy of backup systems to maintain power aboard the ship until either repairs can be made or help arrives. These systems are designed to ensure that even a crippled ship can maintain life support, structural integrity, and enough propulsion to reach a safe harbor.

Auxiliary Power Network

Initialized should the Warp Core become inoperative, the Auxiliary Power Network provides the first line of defense during power loss and is driven by the vessel's Impulse Engines. While not traveling at high sublight speeds, the high-energy plasma produced by the Impulse Reaction Chamber serves as an independent power plant. The energy supplied by these fusion reactors is distributed through the Electroplasma System (EPS) to power shields, weapons, and sensors.

Onboard Century Class vessels, additional dedicated fusion generators are fitted on the lower decks to assist with generating power in a crisis. Hard-wired into the EPS manifolds, these auxiliary reactors do not provide thrust and supplement the power grid during heavy combat, a crisis, or high-intensity scientific research. By utilizing a "shared load" arrangement, the ship’s computer can balance energy draws between the reactors and these auxiliary fusion cells to prevent any single manifold from overloading.

Emergency Power Systems

A decentralized system relying on a network of chemical and rechargeable batteries known as Power Cells, Emergency Power is activated when the EPS manifolds are breached or when the fusion reactors are non-operational. Designed to provide power to critical stations and systems, these Power Cells are located on every deck and are fitted directly to the systems they are responsible for. Among the systems that have been equipped with Emergency Power Cells are:

• Life Support for atmospheric scrubbing and thermal regulation.
• Structural Integrity Fields to keep the hull stable.
• Emergency Lighting and Comm-channels.
• Inertial Damping Fields to safeguard the crew from residual kinetic energy.

Additionally, the Emergency Battery Network serves as emergency power conduits and are separate from the main plasma waveguides. Constantly charged by the Electroplasma System, these batteries are focused on maintaining life support and provides almost no energy for high energy drawing systems like transporters or phasers. Similarly, the Emergency Battery Network also provides dedicated power supplies for the Bridge, Engineering, and Sickbay. Through this system, crew can coordinate repairs and manage the ship's remaining resources until the primary or auxiliary systems can be restored.