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{{multiple}}
[[File:NX alpha.jpg|thumb|NX-Alpha over [[Earth]]]]
 
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{{sidebar starship
The '''NX-Alpha''' was one of three test vehicles, along with the [[NX-Beta]] and [[NX-Delta]], used in [[Starfleet]]'s [[NX Project]], the effort to test and refine the [[warp five engine]] designed by [[Henry Archer]].
 
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| image = NX alpha.jpg
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| caption = NX-Alpha over Earth
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| name = NX-Alpha
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| dt = NX-Alpha
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| class = [[NX Project]] test vehicle
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| status = Destroyed
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| datestatus = 2143
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| image2 = NX alpha destruction.jpg
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| caption2 = The destruction of NX-Alpha
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}}
   
 
'''NX-Alpha''' was one of three test vehicles used in [[Starfleet]]'s [[NX Project]], along with the [[NX-Beta]] and the [[NX-Delta]], and the first [[Human]] vessel to travel at warp 2 under pilot [[A.G. Robinson]].
Several [[commander]]s in Starfleet competed to be chosen as the first to fly the NX-Alpha in the effort to break the [[warp 2 barrier]]. After several weeks, it became clear the competition was down to [[Jonathan Archer]], Henry Archer's son, and [[A.G. Robinson]]. Although Archer had logged more flight hours in the simulator, [[Commodore]] [[Maxwell Forrest|Forrest]] selected Commander Robinson.
 
   
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As part of the effort to test and refine the [[warp five engine]] designed by [[Henry Archer]], it was a predecessor of the {{class|NX}} [[starship]].
[[File:NX alpha cockpit.jpg|thumb|left|Cockpit of the NX-Alpha]]
 
In [[2143]], Commander Robinson flew the NX-Alpha while Commander Archer monitored from [[Starfleet Command]]. Initially, there was an imbalance in the power systems, causing them to keep the NX-Alpha in orbit. When they finally gave him the okay, Robinson jumped to warp 1.
 
   
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== Design and systems ==
The ship successfully attained warp 2, but the power systems began rapidly overloading. Command ordered him to drop to [[sublight]], but Robinson believed it could be pushed a little further. After attaining warp 2.2, the NX-Alpha broke up just outside of orbit of [[Jupiter]]. Luckily, Robinson was able to eject in an [[escape pod]] that was retrieved and brought back to Earth.
 
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[[File:NX-Alpha schematic.jpg|thumb|left|The NX-Alpha's systems overview]]
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A schematic of NX-Alpha included references to its [[field impeller]] (port and starboard), [[field gen overthruster]] (port and starboard), [[auxiliary power]] bus-2 (port) and 3 (starboard), [[pylon torsion regulator]], [[hydraulic manifold]] 33 (port) and 34 (starboard), [[plasma conduit]]s, [[forward field flow sensor]]s (port and starboard), [[TPS regulation sensor]], [[environmental system]]s, [[forward DFI sensor]]s, [[command avionics bay]], [[forward radiation grid]], and [[crew ejection module]].
   
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Steps on its pre-flight [[checklist]] included: verify primary command sequence protocol, confirm port and starboard [[surge tank]] pressure at nominal operating temperature, [[ESCOM]] checklist 29, guidance and navigation [[software]] update, and reset panel [[circuit breaker]]s and verify settings.
[[File:NX alpha destruction.jpg|thumb|The destruction of NX-Alpha]]
 
Afterward, the [[Vulcan Advisory Council]] insisted on pausing the program until the [[Human]] [[scientist]]s could figure out what had gone wrong, and run more simulations. Robinson told the inquiry that it was a design flaw in the engine, although Commander Archer and [[Lieutenant]] [[Charles Tucker III|Charles Tucker]] asserted that it was actually pilot error. The results of the NX-Alpha's mission eventually led to the unapproved flight of the NX-Beta. ({{ENT|First Flight}})
 
{{bginfo|The command module of the NX-Alpha (identical to that of the NX-Beta) was a redressed version of the ''[[Phoenix]]''{{'}}s command module from {{film|8}}.}}
 
{{NXClassStarships}}
 
   
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== History ==
 
Several [[commander]]s in Starfleet competed to be chosen as the first to fly NX-Alpha in the effort to break the [[warp 2 barrier]]. After several weeks, it became clear the competition was down to [[Jonathan Archer]], Henry Archer's son, and A.G. Robinson. Although Archer had logged more flight hours in the simulator, [[Commodore]] [[Maxwell Forrest|Forrest]] selected Commander Robinson.
   
 
[[File:NX alpha cockpit.jpg|thumb|left|Cockpit of NX-Alpha]]
 
In [[2143]], Commander Robinson flew NX-Alpha while Commander Archer monitored from [[Starfleet Command]]. Initially, there was an imbalance in the power systems, causing them to keep NX-Alpha in orbit. When they finally gave him the okay, Robinson jumped to warp 1.
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The ship successfully attained warp 2, but the power systems began rapidly overloading. Command ordered him to drop to [[sublight]], but Robinson believed it could be pushed a little further. After attaining warp 2.2, NX-Alpha broke up just outside of orbit of [[Jupiter]]. Luckily, Robinson was able to eject in an [[escape pod]] that was retrieved and brought back to [[Earth]].
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Afterward, the [[Vulcan Advisory Council]] insisted on pausing the program until the [[Human]] [[scientist]]s could figure out what had gone wrong, and run more simulations. Robinson told the inquiry that it was a design flaw in the engine, although Commander Archer and [[Lieutenant]] [[Charles Tucker III|Charles Tucker]] asserted that it was actually pilot error. The results of NX-Alpha's mission eventually led to the unapproved flight of the NX-Beta. ({{ENT|First Flight}})
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[[File:NX Alpha model.jpg|thumb|A model of NX-Alpha]]
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''In [[2259]] of the [[alternate reality]], a small model of this ship was displayed on Admiral Marcus' desk, together with other historical spacecraft.'' ({{film|12}})
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{{NX class starships}}
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== Appendices ==
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=== Background information ===
 
The cockpit of NX-Alpha (identical to that of the NX-Beta) was a redressed version of the ''[[Phoenix]]''{{'}}s command module from {{film|8}}.
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In the final draft [[script]] of "First Flight", NX-Alpha was described thus; "''It's a small, [[shuttle]]-sized spacecraft fitted with two old-style warp nacelles.''" The script referred to the craft's interior as "NX-Cockpit" and described the area as "''Cramped and somewhat primitive by [NX-class starship] standards (and perhaps similar in appearance to [[Zefram Cochrane|Zephram Cochrane]]'s ''[sic]'' '[[Phoenix]]').''" The cockpit was additionally scripted to include a pilot's seat, many "controls, including a sophisticated joystick," and a "small front viewport". The craft's destruction was described in the script as "a spectacular blast!"
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The Artisan prop and model shop of [[Quantum Mechanix]], QMx FX Cinema Arts, was asked to illustrate the history of space flight with models for the [[Star Trek films|film]] ''Star Trek Into Darkness''. NX-Alpha was included in the models constructed, of which there were fourteen different classes in total. On the organization's website, there was a picture of the NX-Alpha model. {{bl|www.qmxonline.com/news/stid-history-of-starflight-models/}}
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=== External link ===
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* {{mbeta}}
   
 
[[de:NX-Alpha]]
 
[[de:NX-Alpha]]
 
[[fr:NX-Alpha]]
 
[[fr:NX-Alpha]]
 
[[nl:NX-Alfa]]
 
[[nl:NX-Alfa]]
[[pl:"NX-Alpha"]]
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[[pl:NX-Alpha]]
 
[[Category:Earth starships|NX-Alpha]]
 
[[Category:Earth starships|NX-Alpha]]

Latest revision as of 12:04, 31 January 2022

Multiple realities
(covers information from several alternate timelines)

NX-Alpha was one of three test vehicles used in Starfleet's NX Project, along with the NX-Beta and the NX-Delta, and the first Human vessel to travel at warp 2 under pilot A.G. Robinson.

As part of the effort to test and refine the warp five engine designed by Henry Archer, it was a predecessor of the NX-class starship.

Design and systems

NX-Alpha schematic

The NX-Alpha's systems overview

A schematic of NX-Alpha included references to its field impeller (port and starboard), field gen overthruster (port and starboard), auxiliary power bus-2 (port) and 3 (starboard), pylon torsion regulator, hydraulic manifold 33 (port) and 34 (starboard), plasma conduits, forward field flow sensors (port and starboard), TPS regulation sensor, environmental systems, forward DFI sensors, command avionics bay, forward radiation grid, and crew ejection module.

Steps on its pre-flight checklist included: verify primary command sequence protocol, confirm port and starboard surge tank pressure at nominal operating temperature, ESCOM checklist 29, guidance and navigation software update, and reset panel circuit breakers and verify settings.

History

Several commanders in Starfleet competed to be chosen as the first to fly NX-Alpha in the effort to break the warp 2 barrier. After several weeks, it became clear the competition was down to Jonathan Archer, Henry Archer's son, and A.G. Robinson. Although Archer had logged more flight hours in the simulator, Commodore Forrest selected Commander Robinson.

NX alpha cockpit

Cockpit of NX-Alpha

In 2143, Commander Robinson flew NX-Alpha while Commander Archer monitored from Starfleet Command. Initially, there was an imbalance in the power systems, causing them to keep NX-Alpha in orbit. When they finally gave him the okay, Robinson jumped to warp 1.

The ship successfully attained warp 2, but the power systems began rapidly overloading. Command ordered him to drop to sublight, but Robinson believed it could be pushed a little further. After attaining warp 2.2, NX-Alpha broke up just outside of orbit of Jupiter. Luckily, Robinson was able to eject in an escape pod that was retrieved and brought back to Earth.

Afterward, the Vulcan Advisory Council insisted on pausing the program until the Human scientists could figure out what had gone wrong, and run more simulations. Robinson told the inquiry that it was a design flaw in the engine, although Commander Archer and Lieutenant Charles Tucker asserted that it was actually pilot error. The results of NX-Alpha's mission eventually led to the unapproved flight of the NX-Beta. (ENT: "First Flight")

NX Alpha model

A model of NX-Alpha

In 2259 of the alternate reality, a small model of this ship was displayed on Admiral Marcus' desk, together with other historical spacecraft. (Star Trek Into Darkness)

Appendices

Background information

The cockpit of NX-Alpha (identical to that of the NX-Beta) was a redressed version of the Phoenix's command module from Star Trek: First Contact.

In the final draft script of "First Flight", NX-Alpha was described thus; "It's a small, shuttle-sized spacecraft fitted with two old-style warp nacelles." The script referred to the craft's interior as "NX-Cockpit" and described the area as "Cramped and somewhat primitive by [NX-class starship] standards (and perhaps similar in appearance to Zephram Cochrane's [sic] 'Phoenix')." The cockpit was additionally scripted to include a pilot's seat, many "controls, including a sophisticated joystick," and a "small front viewport". The craft's destruction was described in the script as "a spectacular blast!"

The Artisan prop and model shop of Quantum Mechanix, QMx FX Cinema Arts, was asked to illustrate the history of space flight with models for the film Star Trek Into Darkness. NX-Alpha was included in the models constructed, of which there were fourteen different classes in total. On the organization's website, there was a picture of the NX-Alpha model. [1](X)

External link