Engineering 102 - Starship Designs
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Introduction
The designs of starships are based upon many variables most of which are due to the intended purpose (such as explorer, science, transport, warship, ect.). Obviously the more militarily intended the more spartan the ships are. All ships are constructed in sections. The sections are composed within two or three main sections. These are the Primary and Secondary Hulls (really they are containers and not just the exterior of the ship), and the Warp Nacelles. There is not always a secondary hull per say, many ships are composed of one “hull” or container. The nacelles normally come in groups of two or four and are what are used to create the static warp shield that allows the ships to travel at warp speeds.
Primary Hull
The primary hull (also known as the saucer section or saucer module on some classes) is a major component of the overall hull structure. The primary hull is generally located above and to the front of the secondary hull (if the ship has one). On many Federation starships, including the Constitution and Galaxy classes, the primary hull is usually referred to as the saucer section, because it has a roughly circular shape.
The primary hull typically contains most vital systems onboard a starship, including the main bridge, computer core, sickbay, science labs, crew quarters, and other crew support systems. It does not generally house the warp drive or any major engineering systems (unless of course it is a one “hull” ship); though in many cases it does contain its own impulse drive.
Ships capable of saucer separation were designed for this purpose in order to have the primary hull serve as a lifeboat for the crew in the event of catastrophic damage to the warp core or a loss of antimatter containment. It is for this reason the majority of crew comforts are nestled into the primary hull. The Galaxy class saucer section was also intended to act as a temporary means of escape for nonessential and civilian crewmembers while the secondary hull dealt with a dangerous situation. It can operate independently of the secondary hull and reconnect with its drive section after the resolution of a crisis. For this reason, it contains duplicates of many systems in the stardrive section, including a large shuttlebay/cargo bay complex, a torpedo launcher in the docking cavity for rear defense, and deflector array.
Saucer sections on some starships, like the Galaxy class, are even equipped to make planetfall and landing, although not all are designed to return to space following a landing.
Seconday Hull
On many Federation starships, the secondary hull (also known as the engineering hull, the engineering section, the stardrive section, or the battle section) is a major component of the overall hull structure. The secondary hull is generally located behind and below the primary hull.
The secondary hull is usually dedicated to engineering and support functions, especially in starships built after the mid-23rd century. It is the home of the warp drive, Main Engineering, and other engineering support systems. Separating these potentially dangerous systems from the majority of the crew, located in the primary hull, allows the secondary hull to be abandoned in the event of catastrophic damage to the warp core or a loss of antimatter containment.
The warp nacelles also make a direct connection to the secondary hull. Other areas typically found in the secondary hull include the shuttlebay, cargo bays, and brig. The main deflector dish is usually located at the very front of the secondary hull, as are torpedo launchers.
On Galaxy class starships, the secondary hull is usually referred to as the battle section because it mounts the majority of the ship's weaponry and is intended to enter combat or other dangerous situations following a saucer separation. The saucer module, containing the majority of the ship's crew (including civilians) can then retreat to safety. Both sections can operate without one another for long periods of time. Once the crisis is resolved, the two sections can reconnect. Because of this, the battle section was designed with duplicates of systems usually found only in the primary hull, including a battle bridge, sickbay, crew quarters, a computer core, and other mission-critical facilities. The main deflector dish is also mounted here.
Weapons
The weapons systems are also normally primarily concentrated in the Secondary Hull although the Primary Hull also will contain some weapons (especially in the case of separating ships) for self defense. Again the strength and number of weapons depends on the purpose for example a transport may only have one torpedo bay and medium phasers whereas the Defiant Class has 4 pulse phaser cannons and 5 torpedo bays. The weapons systems are powered primarily off of the warp engines as is the rest of the ship so while science vessels may not need the speed they still normally have very large warp cores because of the power necessary to run all the scientific instruments. The warp engines distribute there power though a series of EPS conduits and taps which must be routed carefully in order to avoid easily damaged sections.
Graphic from LCARS.com Database.
Please report corrections to hal_courtney@starfleetcommunications.net
Written by: Scottlynn
Graphics by Aussie
Copyright © by GeminiFleet.org All Right Reserved.
Published on: 2006-10-20
