Subspace Jump Drive

Subspace Jump Drive (SJD)

Prototype Jump Drive for the USS Paladin NX-7609

The Subspace Jump Drive is a scaled down version of a Quantum Slipstream Drive, designed from the ground up to augment a Class 7 Warp Core.

Initial Deployment 2385 aboard the NX-7609 Paladin.

The jump drive is capable of making short slipstream jumps of 5 to 20 light years, with an absolute maximum range of 50 light years. At warp 9.9 it would take a week to travel 50 light years, making the prototype subspace jump drive a worthwhile investment of time and resources.

Basic Quantum Slipstream Theory

• 1. A quantum slipstream is opened by using the main deflector to create a focused quantum field, allowing the vessel to penetrate the quantum barrier.
• 2. Slipstream travel is maintained by using a narrowly-focused, directed warp field that is manipulated at the quantum level thereby creating a subspace tunnel.

Known problems with Federation QSD technology

• 1. Prolonged slipstream travel creates a huge strain on current Federation computer core systems, due to the difficulty of constantly adjusting for phase variances in the quantum field for long periods of time.
• 2. Power spikes can cause unpredictable  results in the directed warp field resulting in the ship coming out of slipstream in an unpredictable manner, possibly over jumping the target by thousands of light years, as in the case of the USS Menelaus.

Addressing the known issues

• 1. Phase variances - The problem with phase variances in the quantum field is solved in part by creating subspace tunnels shorter than 50 light years.  The phase variances can be controlled by projecting a soliton pulse ahead of the vessel, inside the slipstream.  The use of soliton pulses in this manner was first introduced in 2381 by Captain Hernandez using Caeliar technology on board the USS Aventine, a Vesta Class ship commanded by Captain Ezri Dax.  Since 2381 there have been a number of successful tests in using this technology on Federation ships.  The use of soliton pulses in a slipstream of less than 50 light years creates a predictable work load on the computer core that is easily handled under normal operating conditions.
• 2. Power spikes - All power supplied to the subspace jump drive will come from several high density capacitors that will store a limited amount of energy, thereby creating a passive failsafe against uncontrolled power spikes.  There will be no constant power source available to supply energy to the jump drive, therefore any unforeseen accidents should result in a shorter jump than planned, rather than a uncontrolled jump to a distant location.

An overview of a 5 light year subspace jump

During a short quantum slip stream jump, the main job of the warp core is to maintain a stable warp field.  Testing shows a class 7 warp core maintains its most stable warp field at warp 4.7.  The process starts by accelerating to and then maintaining warp 4.7.  Then a quantum field is generated by the deflector array to penetrate the quantum barrier.  Soliton pulses are projected through the opening in the barrier, mapping out the desired course ahead.    The job of the subspace jump drive is to manipulate the stable warp field at the quantum level and convert our subspace bubble, elongating it into a short range subspace tunnel through the opening in the quantum barrier.  It does not form a true tunnel, there are no openings at either end, the ship will already be within the subspace bubble.  The leading edge of the bubble will extend 5 light years ahead of the vessel following the course laid out by the soliton pulses, and almost immediately after the trailing end of the bubble will contract following the leading edge returning the subspace bubble to its original size, 5 light years from the starting point.  The vessel would remain in the middle of the subspace bubble at all times, and she will emerge the slipstream traveling at warp 4.7.  The entire 5 light year jump takes under 2 minutes, a distance that would take 14 hours to travel at warp 9.9.  This Subspace Jump Drive is considered a short range drive, considering that Voyager’s full blown quantum slipstream drive took them 10,000 light years in a matter of hours.  A distance that would take 33 years to travel at warp 9.9.

Maintenance

The capacitors will take up to 30 minutes to fully recharge before they can be used again.  After every third jump the system will need to be taken offline and a full level one diagnostic of all SJD systems will need to be preformed.  Full diagnostics of the SJD systems will take 12 hours, plus any repairs or tuning needed. In the event of equipment failure or outside influences, autonomous safety procedures will disengage the SJD, returning control of the subspace bubble  to the warp core and the warp core's built in safety protocols. It is important to note that the vessel never travels faster than warp 4.7, only the size of the subspace bubble changes, extending for an extreme distance through the quantum barrier and then rapidly returning to its normal size.

SJD components

• Modified tachyon deflector array
• Soliton generator and projector subsystem
• Modified class 7 micronized M/ARA
• Quantum slipstream jump drive module attached to modified warp core
• High density EPS capacitors
• Modified internal nacelle warp field coils and off-axis field controllers

Ensign Magan Book - Warp Specialist''

Chief Engineer - Cascadia Shipyards