| rdfs:comment | - By the 24th century, separations were designed to be more routine, with some classes being designed with reconnection abilities. Both components contained essential systems, allowing each to be independently operable for extended periods. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint" ) The Galaxy-class and Prometheus-class starships were designed to routinely separate into two or more components. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint" ; VOY: "Message in a Bottle")
- Numerous Starfleet ship classes, such as the Constitution class and Galaxy class, consist of two sections: the stardrive section, also known as the battle section, engineering section, engineering module, or secondary hull, where the warp nacelles are located; and the saucer section, also known as the primary hull or command module. Nearly every starship design that follows the saucer/secondary hull pattern has had some ability to separate into two autonomous sections during extreme emergencies: for example, an imminent warp core breach or the failure of antimatter ejection systems. However, even if the two sections could later be reconnected, it was only possible at drydock facilities. The idea of routinely separating and reconnecting the two starship sections was a 24th century innovatio
- Constitution-class starships could separate their saucers by means of explosive bolts at the joint between the neck and the saucer. Reattaching the saucer required a shipyard. (TOS comics: "'Til Death", "None But the Brave"; Bait and Switch: "The Universe Doesn't Cheat") Odyssey-class starships were also capable of saucer separation. This was used almost exclusively for combat purposes. (Star Trek Online)
- The procedure began to be incorporated into starship classes in the 23rd century, including the Constitution-class, but once the two hulls were disconnected they could only be re-attached through external support by a starbase or shipyard. (TOS episode: "The Apple"; TOS comic: "'Til Death") This functionality was later added to the Intrepid-class and the capability was added to USS Voyager as part of its refits upon returning to Earth. (VOY novel: The Eternal Tide)
|
| abstract | - Numerous Starfleet ship classes, such as the Constitution class and Galaxy class, consist of two sections: the stardrive section, also known as the battle section, engineering section, engineering module, or secondary hull, where the warp nacelles are located; and the saucer section, also known as the primary hull or command module. Nearly every starship design that follows the saucer/secondary hull pattern has had some ability to separate into two autonomous sections during extreme emergencies: for example, an imminent warp core breach or the failure of antimatter ejection systems. However, even if the two sections could later be reconnected, it was only possible at drydock facilities. The idea of routinely separating and reconnecting the two starship sections was a 24th century innovation in starship design. At least twice before TNG debuted, the idea of separating the saucer section was mentioned. In the episode of the original series The Apple, Kirk mentions the possibility of jettisoning the warp nacelles and saucer and using the saucer to escape. In early drafts of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the USS Enterprise was to separate its saucer section while confronting V'ger, and the separation line indicated in concept art is clearly visible on the connecting dorsal of the finished model, but this scene was scrapped.
- The procedure began to be incorporated into starship classes in the 23rd century, including the Constitution-class, but once the two hulls were disconnected they could only be re-attached through external support by a starbase or shipyard. (TOS episode: "The Apple"; TOS comic: "'Til Death") In the mid-24th century, Starfleet began to experiment with systems that were designed to allow the two sections to be able to reconnect without external support, and implemented it on several Excelsior-class vessels, including the USS Hood. As part of the training for use of the systems, all officers were required to train to perform manual docking should the need arise. (TNG novelization: Encounter at Farpoint, pp. 88-89) The Galaxy-class was one of the first starship classes that were designed for separation with the two hulls having essential facilities which allowed them to operate independently for periods of time. However, with the Galaxy-class the system was designed to allow civilians and non-combatants to remain aboard the saucer section, while the main crew took the secondary hull with the main armaments to meet any threat that a starship could face. (TNG episode & novelization: Encounter at Farpoint) If necessary the saucer could modify the Impulse drive to maintain a warp field for faster than light travel. (ST reference: USS Enterprise Owners' Workshop Manual) This functionality was later added to the Intrepid-class and the capability was added to USS Voyager as part of its refits upon returning to Earth. (VOY novel: The Eternal Tide) Odyssey-class starships were also capable of saucer separation, noticeably increasing the agility of the secondary hull. However for unknown reasons this maneuver was mutually exclusive with deployment of their Aquarius-class escort: they could only do one at a time. (ST video game: Star Trek Online)
- Constitution-class starships could separate their saucers by means of explosive bolts at the joint between the neck and the saucer. Reattaching the saucer required a shipyard. (TOS comics: "'Til Death", "None But the Brave"; Bait and Switch: "The Universe Doesn't Cheat") In Galaxy-class starships the maneuver was reversible and was intended for use to allow the ship's civilians to escape. In practice it was also used as a combat tactic, such as during the USS Enterprise-D's 2367 confrontation with Locutus' Borg cube in the Sol system, as it allowed the stardrive's forward dorsal phaser array to be employed. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint", "The Arsenal of Freedom", "The Best of Both Worlds"; Star Trek Online) Odyssey-class starships were also capable of saucer separation. This was used almost exclusively for combat purposes. (Star Trek Online)
- By the 24th century, separations were designed to be more routine, with some classes being designed with reconnection abilities. Both components contained essential systems, allowing each to be independently operable for extended periods. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint" ) The Galaxy-class and Prometheus-class starships were designed to routinely separate into two or more components. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint" ; VOY: "Message in a Bottle")
|
