SAUCER MODULE SEPARATION SYSTEMS

	The USS Enterprise consists of two spacecraft systems integrated to 
form a single functional vessel. Under specific emergency conditions, the 
two vehicle elements may perform a separation maneuver and continue 
independent operation. The two elements, the Saucer Module and the Battle 
Section, are normally joined together by a series of structural docking 
latches, numerous umbilicals, and turbolift pass-throughs.
	Eighteen docking latches provide the necessary physical 
connections between the major load-bearing members of both vehicles. The 
active side of the latches is located on the dorsal surface of the Battle 
Section around the periphery of the Battle Bridge and upper sensor arrays. 
The passive apertures for the latches are set into the aft ventral surface of 
the Saucer Module. Each active latch segment consists of two spreading 
grab plates driven by four redundant sets of electrofluidic pistons. The grab 
plates measure 6.9 x 7.2 m and are constructed of diffusion-bonded tritanium 
carbide, similar to the main load-bearing spaceframe members. These are 
designed to accept and transfer energy from the structural integrity field 
generators, locking the two vehicles together. The dorsal surfaces of the 
grab plates are layered with standard ablative hull coatings for exposure to 
the general space environment and warp flight stresses. The latching system 
has been designed to accept a failure rate of 1.5 latch pairs per ten 
separations; in the event a single pair fails to seat properly within its passive 
aperture, the structural loads can be shared adequately among the other 
latches.
	Each electrofluidic piston consists of a main fluid reservoir, magnetic 
valve controller block, piston computer controller, attach brackets, pressure 
manifolds, and redundant sensor assemblies. Piston operation is maintained 
under computer control to assure smooth activation of all latches 
simultaneously, though under emergency conditions a manual latching 
option is available.
	Quick-disconnect umbilicals set into the vehicle interface, which 
normally allow for the unbroken flow of gases, liquids, waveguide energy, 
computer information, and other data channels, are isolated once the 
separation sequence is commanded.
	The vehicle interface also accommodates a set of standard turbolift 
pass-throughs, including the dedicated emergency turbo to the Battle 
Bridge. These shafts are equipped with automatic path termination seals, 
which have been designed to double as airlock modules. If either separated 
vehicle docks at another Starfleet facility at the vehicle interface, the 
termination seals retreat to their default positions just off the turbolift shafts.  
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