m (robot Adding: es:Sistema de integridad estructural) |
(→Notable hull breaches: + one) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | [[Image:USS Enterprise-B hull breach.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B|-B}}'s extensively breached hull]] |
||
| − | '''Structural integrity''' is a term used to refer to the strength of a [[starship]] [[hull]]. |
||
| + | The term '''hull breach''' refers to a situation on a [[starship]], [[space station]], or any type of pressurized vessel where the shell surrounding said pressurized environment breaks, [[hull stress|stresses]] or develops a gap for any reason. In space-faring vessels, this is usually catastrophic. The pressure of a contained [[atmosphere]] forcing its way outward in an [[explosive decompression]] can cause further damage to the area, and also have the added effect of endangering or killing any [[lifeform]] present. Since the pressure is internally generated, [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Data]] stated to [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker]] in [[2364]] that being "blown out" was probably a more accurate term than being "sucked out." ({{TNG|The Naked Now}}; {{VOY|Deadlock}}) |
||
| − | While standard architecture uses supports and [[bulkhead]]s to make constructs stronger or more durable, the fantastic stresses presented by [[warp field]]s and [[spatial phenomenon|spatial phenomena]] have caused [[engineer]]s in the [[Federation]] and other [[Species and cultures|spacefaring cultures]] to use [[force field]]s to hold the shape of a construction together. This is referred to as a [[structural integrity field]]. |
||
| + | {{bginfo|The decompression Data described was caused by an opened hatch, not an actual hull breach, but the effect is essentially the same.}} |
||
| + | Most [[hull]] breach dangers are from pressurized material contained within a vacuum, or lower pressure, environment. However, it is just as possible that the pressurized vessel could be surrounded by high pressure [[gas]]es or even [[liquid]], causing an implosion, forcing the surrounding environment into a vessel. The {{USS|Defiant|NX-74205}} experienced such breaches in [[2372]] when trapped in the atmosphere of a [[gas giant]]. ({{DS9|Starship Down}}) |
||
| + | Vessels of spacefaring civilizations and [[cultures]], such as the [[Federation]] [[Starfleet]], protect themselves against the extreme stresses of both pressure and vacuum, as well as the added dangers of impacts, [[warp drive]] stress, [[weapon]] damage, [[energy]] phenomena and [[anomaly|anomalies]], by implementing a [[structural integrity field]]. This [[force field]] is designed to occupy the same space as the ship's hull, effectively giving them hundreds of times the ability to hold its shape. Force fields are also used to automatically contain the atmosphere, and repel external forces, should the hull be breached. ({{TNG|Disaster}}; {{film|7}}; {{film|10}}) Prior to the development of these technologies, [[emergency bulkhead]]s and [[polarized hull plating]] were used to contain and avoid breaches ({{ENT|Damage}}) |
||
| − | In [[2151]], [[Malcolm Reed]] and [[Trip Tucker]] repolarised the [[gravity plating]] of [[Enterprise (NX-01)|''Enterprise'']] to absorb the [[plasma recoil]], caused by the newly integrated [[phase cannon]]s, and shunt the energy to structural integrity. ({{ENT|Silent Enemy}}) |
||
| + | ==Notable hull breaches== |
||
| − | The stress of a [[Romulan]] [[tractor beam]] caused sub-microscopic deformations in the structural integrity, especially the nose section and [[aft]] [[thruster]]s of the [[type 15 shuttlepod]] ''[[Onizuka]]''. ({{TNG|The Mind's Eye}}) |
||
| + | *[[Enterprise (NX-01)|''Enterprise'' NX-01]]'s [[NX class decks|C-deck]], caused by two [[Vulcan fighter]]s and a [[D'Kyr type]] ship. ({{ENT|Awakening}}) |
||
| + | *''Enterprise'' NX-01's G-deck, in the [[Battle of Andoria]]. ({{ENT|Kir'Shara}}) |
||
| + | *{{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B|-B}}'s [[Engineering]] section, which was presumed to have killed [[James T. Kirk]]. ({{film|7}}) |
||
| + | * In [[2369]] Deep Space 9 had several hull breaches and fractures caused by the [[graviton]] pulses of the [[embryonic lifeform]]. ({{DS9|Q-Less}}) |
||
| + | *One of [[Deep Space 9]]'s upper pylons were destroyed by a [[Jem'Hadar]] strike team. ({{DS9|To the Death}}) |
||
| + | *{{USS|Voyager}}'s Deck 05, caused by damage from [[Krenim]] weapons fire. ({{VOY|Year of Hell}}) |
||
| + | *{{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E|-E}}'s [[bridge]], caused by [[disruptor]] damage from the ''[[Scimitar]]''; as well as several decks' worth when the ''Enterprise'' rammed the ''Scimitar''. ({{film|10}}) |
||
| + | ==Background== |
||
| − | In [[2369]], [[Geordi La Forge]] ran a structural integrity [[sensor|scan]] of a [[conduit]] located in [[cargo bay]] 4 aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}. ({{TNG|Schisms}}) |
||
| + | The basics of these incidents have been referenced in several episodes. More detailed explanations given by the writing and technical staff when creating the show are contained in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]'' and the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual]]''. |
||
| + | [[de:Hüllenbruch]] |
||
| − | The same yera the [[tractor beam]] of [[Deep Space 9]] was able to stabilize the structural integrity of [[Tosk's starship]]. ({{DS9|Captive Pursuit}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In [[2374]], during an encounter with a group of [[Omega molecule|Omega molecules]], [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway]] ordered [[Chakotay]] to increase the structural integrity of a [[shuttlecraft]] in order to properly dispose of the molecules. ({{VOY|The Omega Directive}}) |
||
| − | |||
| − | [[de:Strukturelle Integrität]] |
||
| − | [[es:Sistema de integridad estructural]] |
||
Revision as of 08:21, 18 July 2009
The USS Enterprise-B's extensively breached hull
The term hull breach refers to a situation on a starship, space station, or any type of pressurized vessel where the shell surrounding said pressurized environment breaks, stresses or develops a gap for any reason. In space-faring vessels, this is usually catastrophic. The pressure of a contained atmosphere forcing its way outward in an explosive decompression can cause further damage to the area, and also have the added effect of endangering or killing any lifeform present. Since the pressure is internally generated, Lieutenant Commander Data stated to Commander William T. Riker in 2364 that being "blown out" was probably a more accurate term than being "sucked out." (TNG: "The Naked Now"; VOY: "Deadlock")
Most hull breach dangers are from pressurized material contained within a vacuum, or lower pressure, environment. However, it is just as possible that the pressurized vessel could be surrounded by high pressure gases or even liquid, causing an implosion, forcing the surrounding environment into a vessel. The USS Defiant experienced such breaches in 2372 when trapped in the atmosphere of a gas giant. (DS9: "Starship Down")
Vessels of spacefaring civilizations and cultures, such as the Federation Starfleet, protect themselves against the extreme stresses of both pressure and vacuum, as well as the added dangers of impacts, warp drive stress, weapon damage, energy phenomena and anomalies, by implementing a structural integrity field. This force field is designed to occupy the same space as the ship's hull, effectively giving them hundreds of times the ability to hold its shape. Force fields are also used to automatically contain the atmosphere, and repel external forces, should the hull be breached. (TNG: "Disaster"; Star Trek Generations; Star Trek Nemesis) Prior to the development of these technologies, emergency bulkheads and polarized hull plating were used to contain and avoid breaches (ENT: "Damage")
Notable hull breaches
- Enterprise NX-01's C-deck, caused by two Vulcan fighters and a D'Kyr type ship. (ENT: "Awakening")
- Enterprise NX-01's G-deck, in the Battle of Andoria. (ENT: "Kir'Shara")
- USS Enterprise-B's Engineering section, which was presumed to have killed James T. Kirk. (Star Trek Generations)
- In 2369 Deep Space 9 had several hull breaches and fractures caused by the graviton pulses of the embryonic lifeform. (DS9: "Q-Less")
- One of Deep Space 9's upper pylons were destroyed by a Jem'Hadar strike team. (DS9: "To the Death")
- USS Voyager's Deck 05, caused by damage from Krenim weapons fire. (VOY: "Year of Hell")
- USS Enterprise-E's bridge, caused by disruptor damage from the Scimitar; as well as several decks' worth when the Enterprise rammed the Scimitar. (Star Trek Nemesis)
Background
The basics of these incidents have been referenced in several episodes. More detailed explanations given by the writing and technical staff when creating the show are contained in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual.