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| + | [[File:RCS thruster.jpg|thumb|A RCS thruster used on a {{class|Galaxy}} starship]] |
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| − | '''RCS thrusters''' are used primarily for [[sublight]] operations involving station-keeping, drift-mode three-axis stabilization, and space dock maneuvering. Each main RCS engine consists of a gas-fusion reaction chamber, a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) [[energy]] field trap and upper and lower vectored-thrust exhaust nozzles. RCS thrusters are unstable in excessive magnetic flux as shield modulation is affected |
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| + | The '''reaction control thrusters''' are the standard [[thruster]]s used by the [[Federation]] for low-velocity propulsion, station-keeping and maneuvering control in space. |
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| + | In [[2366]], in an attempt to escape from a [[Promellian battle cruiser]] surrounded by [[aceton assimilator]]s, [[Jean-Luc Picard]] used only two of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}'s RCS thrusters to maneuver the vessel through the remains of [[Orelious IX]]. ({{TNG|Booby Trap}}) |
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| − | In order to conduct a full thruster shut-down, [[deuterium]] must be vented. |
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| + | A [[Type 15 shuttlepod]] uses eight DeFI 657 hot gas RCS thrusters, ({{TNG|Descent}}, ''display graphic'') also known as [[microfusion thruster]]s. ({{TNG|In Theory}}) |
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| − | ==References== |
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| − | *[[VOY]]: "[[The Cloud]]" |
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| + | In [[2369]] [[Deep Space 9]] was moved from the orbit of [[Bajor]] to the mouth of the [[Bajoran wormhole]] with six of the station's RCS thrusters. A [[subspace field]] was used to reduce the stations inertial mass to shorten the travel time from two months to some minutes. ({{DS9|Emissary}}) Another way of getting more velocity from RCS thrusters is to accelerate the deuterium feed and burn them beyond safety limits. ({{VOY|The Cloud}}) |
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| − | {{pna}} |
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| + | In order to conduct an emergency shutdown of all RCS thrusters, all [[deuterium]] from the RCS system must be vented out. ({{VOY|The Cloud}}) |
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| + | Starfleet regulations state that only thrusters are allowed for propulsion inside a space dock. ({{film|6}}) |
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| + | == Background information == |
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| + | According to ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]'', although all thrusters serve the same function, the propulsive exhaust production behind an RCS thruster varies slightly, depending on the size of the craft. |
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| + | [[Starship]]s have primary and auxiliary thrusters. The primary thrusters are powered by a gas-fusion reaction chamber. It uses [[deuterium]] fuel from fuel tanks that in turn are fed from the ship's main deuterium tank. Exhaust is delivered through a field trap into the vectored thrust nozzles visible from the outside. Auxiliary thrusters have no tanks or fieldtraps, and are powered by a microfusion chamber. The generated thrust is considerably lower. |
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| + | [[Shuttlecraft]], [[escape pod]]s, [[cargo management unit]]s and some probes also use microfusion thrusters. In the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual]]'', the ''Defiant''{{'}}s lifeboats are said to use impulse microthrusters and microtorpedoes in turn use a miniature fusion thruster for propulsion. |
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| + | According to ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual'', the thrusters of [[Cardassian]] [[space station]]s also use deuterium fuel, fed into a protean-cycle fusion reaction chamber to produce the exhaust to the thrust nozzles. This seems to differ from a starship thruster in the sense that it is designed to create a low thrust. RCS thrusters of a [[Federation]] space station are stated to function in a similar way. |
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| + | [[de:Manövriertriebwerk]] |
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| + | [[Category:Propulsion technology]] |
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Revision as of 11:17, 4 April 2016
A RCS thruster used on a Galaxy-class starship
The reaction control thrusters are the standard thrusters used by the Federation for low-velocity propulsion, station-keeping and maneuvering control in space.
In 2366, in an attempt to escape from a Promellian battle cruiser surrounded by aceton assimilators, Jean-Luc Picard used only two of the USS Enterprise-D's RCS thrusters to maneuver the vessel through the remains of Orelious IX. (TNG: "Booby Trap")
A Type 15 shuttlepod uses eight DeFI 657 hot gas RCS thrusters, (TNG: "Descent", display graphic) also known as microfusion thrusters. (TNG: "In Theory")
In 2369 Deep Space 9 was moved from the orbit of Bajor to the mouth of the Bajoran wormhole with six of the station's RCS thrusters. A subspace field was used to reduce the stations inertial mass to shorten the travel time from two months to some minutes. (DS9: "Emissary") Another way of getting more velocity from RCS thrusters is to accelerate the deuterium feed and burn them beyond safety limits. (VOY: "The Cloud")
In order to conduct an emergency shutdown of all RCS thrusters, all deuterium from the RCS system must be vented out. (VOY: "The Cloud")
Starfleet regulations state that only thrusters are allowed for propulsion inside a space dock. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
Background information
According to Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, although all thrusters serve the same function, the propulsive exhaust production behind an RCS thruster varies slightly, depending on the size of the craft.
Starships have primary and auxiliary thrusters. The primary thrusters are powered by a gas-fusion reaction chamber. It uses deuterium fuel from fuel tanks that in turn are fed from the ship's main deuterium tank. Exhaust is delivered through a field trap into the vectored thrust nozzles visible from the outside. Auxiliary thrusters have no tanks or fieldtraps, and are powered by a microfusion chamber. The generated thrust is considerably lower.
Shuttlecraft, escape pods, cargo management units and some probes also use microfusion thrusters. In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, the Defiant's lifeboats are said to use impulse microthrusters and microtorpedoes in turn use a miniature fusion thruster for propulsion.
According to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, the thrusters of Cardassian space stations also use deuterium fuel, fed into a protean-cycle fusion reaction chamber to produce the exhaust to the thrust nozzles. This seems to differ from a starship thruster in the sense that it is designed to create a low thrust. RCS thrusters of a Federation space station are stated to function in a similar way.