Galaxy Class Starship
U.S.S ENTERPRISE NCC-1701-D
Deck 1 - Lower
Bridge Module Ejection Systems
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Deck 1

Major connects to the bridge include two standard turbolift shafts, one emergency turboshaft, and four electro plasma power distribution waweguide conduits. Additional connects include four environmental support plenum groups, nine primary and two backup optical data network trunks, two replicator waweguide conduits, and three service crawlways.

Because of the criticality of bridge systems, especially in emergency situations, the Main Bridge is designated as an emergency environmental support shelter, receiving priority life support from two special protected utilities trunks. These feeds permit Class M conditions to be maintained for up to seventy-two hours enven in the event of failure of both primary and reserve environmental systems. Also provided within the bridge shell are two emergency atmospheric and power supply modules, each capable of providing up to twenty-four hours of atmosphere and lighting in the event of total environmental system failure.

The Main Bridge module is connected to the spaceframe structure with a series of 320 7.2cm duranium fastening rods. These fasteners can be disengaged at major starbase layover, permitting disconnect and replacement of the entire bridge module. Torsion relief and vibration damping are provided by a series of 17mm microfoamed AGP semiflexible ceramic gaskets which form the mechanical interface between structures. The Main Bridge shell is constructed from an interlaced microfoam duranium filament shell gammawelded to a tritanium truss structural framework. The inner environmental envelope is fabircated from low-density expanded ceramic-polymer composite segments, providing both atmospheric integraty and thermal insulation.

During initial spaceworthiness tests of the original USS Galaxy prototype vessel,the standard Galaxy class bridge module was not yet fully operational. Instead, a custom-built module was used that was equipped with indendent life-support and sublight propulsion capabilities. This unit was used as a self-contained crew compartment during the intial shakedown abd could have been ejected, carrying the crew to safety in the event of a catastrophic failure of the spaceframe of propulsion system.

It is anticipated that the current bridge configuration of the Galaxy class starship will remain relatively unchanged for number of years. Current planning calls for annual design reviews of the bridge and control systems, with major system replacements projected at twenty-year intervals.

Copyright © 1997 Tan Ngo-Dang
Contact: tangowebmedia@sympatico.ca
URL: http://www.tht.net/~tan/ncc1701d/deck01_2.htm
Created on 06/24/97
Updated on 12/08/97
Page status: final