UTILITIES

	The Galaxy class Enterprise internal distribution infrastructure 
includes a number of related systems whose purpose is the distribution of 
vital commodities throughout the spacecraft. Although these commodities 
vary widely in the nature of distribution hardware, all require complex 
interconnections throughout the volume of the spacecraft, and nearly all are 
of sufficient criticality to require one or more redundant backup distribution 
networks.

MAJOR UTILITIES NETWORKS

	These utilities distribution networks include:

¥Power. Power transmission for onboard systems is accomplished by a 
network of microwave power transmission waveguides known as the electro 
plasma system (EPS). Major power supplies derive microwave power from 
the warp propulsion power conduits and the main impulse engines. 
Additional feeds draw power from the saucer module impulse engines as 
well as a number of auxiliary fusion generators. A secondary power 
distribution system provides electrical power for specialized requirements.

¥Optical Data Network (ODN). Data transmission is accomplished with a 
network of multiplexed optical monocrystal microfibers. A series of five 
redundant major optical trunks link the two main computer cores in the 
primary hull, and an additional set of trunks link these to the third core in the 
engineering section. Any individual trunk is designed to be able to handle the 
total data load of the shipÕs basic operating systems. Major ODN trunks also 
provide information links to the 380 optical subprocessors located 
throughout the ship. These subprocessors improve system response time by 
distributing system load and provide a measure of redundancy in case of 
major system failure. From these subprocessors, additional ODN links 
connect to each individual control panel or display surface. Two secondary 
optical data networks provide protected linkages to key systems and 
stations; these backup systems are physically separated from the primary 
system and from each other.

¥Atmosphere. Breathable atmosphere is distributed throughout the habitable 
volume of the ship by means of two independent networks of air-conditioning 
ducts that recirculate the breathable atmosphere after reprocessing. 
Switching nodes permit alternate system segments to be employed in the 
event part of one primary system is unavailable.

¥Water. Potable water for drinking and cooling is distributed by two 
independent conduit networks. These networks run in parallel with 
wastewater return conduits to the four water recycling and reprocessing 
facilities located on Decks 6, 13, and 24.

¥Solid waste disposal. Linear induction utility conduits are used to convey 
solid waste to reprocessing facilities on Decks 9, 13, and 34. Such waste is 
automatically separated into mechanically and chemically recyclable 
material, with the remainder stored for matter synthesis (replicator) 
recycling. Hazardous wastes are immediately reprocessed.

¥Transporter beam conduits. A series of high energy waveguides serves to 
connect each transporter chamber to its associated pattern buffer tank and 
then to the various external transporter emitter arrays. Because any given 
personnel or cargo transporter may need to be linked to any of the 
seventeen external emitter arrays, this network must provide for any 
interconnection permutation.

¥Replicator and food service conduits. Similar to the transporter beam 
conduits, these waveguides connect the food service and general replicator 
headends to replicator terminals throughout the ship.

¥Structural integrity field (SIF) power conduits. Force field generators for the 
structural integrity field are located on Decks 11 and 32. Two parallel 
molybdenum-jacked triphase waveguide conduit networks distribute the 
field energy to the SIF conductivity elements built into the spacecraft 
framework. Crossovers between the Saucer Module and Engineering 
Section permit field generators in one hull to feed the entire spacecraft if 
necessary.

¥IDF power conduits. Inertial damping field generators are located on Decks 
11 and 33. Two parallel molybdenum-jacked triphase waveguide conduit 
networks, similar to the SIF network, distribute the field energy throughout 
the vehicle. Crossovers between the Saucer Module and Battle Section 
permit field generators in one hull to feed the entire spacecraft if necessary.

¥Synthetic gravity field bleed. Although the shipÕs synthetic gravity field is 
created by the gravity generators located throughout the ship, a network of 
forcefield conduits is employed to allow translation of excess inertial 
potential to other parts of the ship. This process is computer controlled to 
optimize gravitational stability and subspace field differential. Any inertial 
potential in excess of system capacity is automatically bled off into the 
structural integrity field system.

¥Cryogenic fluid transfer. This refers to a number of insulated piping trunks 
that provide for intraship transfer of such cryogenic fluids as liquid helium. 
Oxygen for breathing gas replenishment is transferred to atmospheric 
processing modules in liquid form by means of the cryogenic fluid transfer 
system.

¥Deuterium fuel transfer. Two 45 cm insulated conduits provide for transfer 
of liquid deuterium between the primary deuterium tank and the impulse 
propulsion system. Additional insulated conduits connect the primary 
deuterium tank with the warp propulsion system, and the Saucer Module 
impulse engines and its associated fuel storage tankage (using a cross-feed 
conduit connecting the two sections). Smaller 18.5 cm insulated conduits 
connect various auxiliary storage tanks and the auxiliary fusion power 
generators.

¥Turboelevator personnel transport system. This includes the actual 
turboshaft tubes through which the inductively driven turbolift cars travel 
throughout the habitable volume of the ship, as well as the dedicated EPS 
power trunks and ODN links that support the system.

¥Reserve utilities distribution. This refers to a low-capacity, independent 
system of atmosphere, power, data, and water distribution networks. These 
systems serve as backups for use in the event service is disrupted from 
primary systems. Depending on load factors, this reserve system has a 
capacity of approximately thirty-six hours.

¥Protected utilities distribution. Another set of redundant utilities trunks, this 
system provides limited atmosphere, power, and data to critical areas of the 
ship as well as to emergency environmental support shelter areas. Also 
incorporated into this network are low-capacity superconductive electrical 
power distribution cables for critical backup systems.

ADDITIONAL UTILITIES SYSTEMS

	Additional utilities systems provide support for the shipÕs service 
infrastructure. These include:

¥Umbilical resupply connect ports and associated systems. Principal among 
these are the resupply umbilical connect clusters located along the spine of 
the Engineering section. These include provisions for deuterium fuel loading, 
cryogenic oxygen resupply, gaseous atmospheric support, fresh water, 
wastewater off-loading, EPS external support, external synthetic gravity 
support, and external SIF/IDF support. Some of these umbilicals are used for 
resupply, the remainder allow external support systems (such as those 
available at a starbase) to carry the load of key systems, allowing the shipÕs 
systems to be shut down for servicing.

¥Jefferies Tubes. This refers to a system of access tunnels and utilities 
corridors that carry much of the various utilities conduits and waveguides. 
The Jefferies Tubes network covers the entire volume of the ship, providing 
access to utilities trunks and circuitry. Also located within these tubes are a 
variety of maintenance and testing points that allow the performance of 
various systems to be physically measured at key points throughout the ship.

¥Corridor access panels. Additional utilities distribution is provided by a 
network of passageways located within (and running parallel to) the 
personnel corridor walls. These corridor utility paths are accessible from 
within the corridor by removing the wall panels. Also located within certain 
corridor access panels are various emergency support packages, including 
emergency atmospheric and power supply modules, firefighting equipment, 
disaster medical supply kits, and environment suits.

¥Auxiliary fusion generators. Utilities systems include a number of small 
auxiliary fusion generators that provide power when the warp and impulse 
reactors are inactive. These fusion generators also provide supplemental 
power when needed and are a key element of contingency operations.  Æ