+Sublight Propulsion Upgrade
-Plasma Impulse Engines
-Plasma Thrusters
-Gravimetric Field Distortion Generators (I just used this design, it is not my own)
-Sublight Propulsion Coordination System



Gravimetric Field Distortion Generator (I just used this design, it is not my own)

The Gravimetric Field Distortion Generator, or GFDG, is an amazing piece of Starfleet technology. The GFDG system manipulates gravity in a similar fashion as warp drive does with space-time. The GFDG distorts the gravimetric field around a starship; enabling higher warp travel for more massive starships. The gravitational constant of the starship and surrounding space/matter (up to 14.4 km) is reduced by a factor of up to ten. This, in turn, can reduce the apparent mass of a starship by the same factor or any lower factor (this can be altered by varying field intensity and alignment.) A master relay station, with a relay network of several (7) generators located in key areas around the ship produces this gravimetric field distortion. These relay stations work to counteract the natural "apparent" mass of the starship. They send an inverse polarity gravimetric field that emanates from the starship. This, in turn, reduces the net gravimetric field that acts on the ship. The artificial gravity subsystems onboard the ship would have to be re-tuned to compensate for the adjusted gravimetric interference. In theory, this device may someday replace the need for sleek starship designs. A warp bubble may be created around nearly any sized object. It has been hypothesised that a similar technique is employed in Borg warp technology, and may even be their means of creating transwarp conduits over vast distances. Early testing has been nearly perfect. The one failure was reported aboard the USS Gallant NX-70747. The field generator began to invert polarity due to unrestrained frequency increase. The structural integrity of the ship was nearly compromised. However, the problem was resolved without incident. The frequency has now been reduced to 186 kHz to avoid this problem in the future. In the test vessel, the USS Gallant, the master relay station is directed from engineering. However, the actual assembly is located on the underside of the hull in between the warp nacelles, in the direct midpoint of the two pylons. This, however, can be modified. It was placed there to allow ease of access during final testing at Utopia Planitia Fleetyards. The GFDG system can be internal or external. However, the artificial gravity subsystem must be fine-tuned accordingly. This relatively new Federation device is just completing final testing and shakedown. It should be implemented within months, and designs are predicted to become less restricted and more utilitarian. (Design by: Manoel E. Gouveia @ http://orion.spaceports.com/~daystrom)

Plasma Thrusters

- Total redesign of the reaction control system
- Function almost exactly like the plasma-impulse engines
- Works in tandem with the plasma-impulse engines to move the ship quickly and with much more
  agility
- Normally has a maximum thrust output of 10.2 million Newtons per thruster quad


Plasma Impulse Engines

- Designed to operate like standard impulse engines except during alert situations
- Easily pushed to operate at speeds just below the warp threshold for maximum impulse
  sublight speed and acceleration
- Powered directly from the Dedicated EPS and equip with its own Plasma Supply Tanks for
  maximum sustained power as well as peak boosted power
- Space-time driver coil assembly and the reactant accelerator are enlarged and more powerful
  to assist in higher speeds while achieving acceptable efficiency
- The vectored exhaust directors are slightly modified and enhanced to increase the ship's
  maneuverability
- Normal maximum thrust varies by the ship, but can theoretically reach 0.998c


Sublight Propulsion Coordinator

- Consists of a system of dedicated computers, the main computers of the ship,
  and large subroutines residing in those computers
- Controls the Plasma-Impulse Engines, the Plasma-Thrusters, the Gravimetric Field Distortion
  Generators (explained elsewhere) in the DDC (explained elsewhere), and partially controls
  the IDF and SIF systems to provide the ship with maximum speed and maneuverability in the
  sublight domain while maintaining maximum efficiency and safety.