5.0  WARP PROPULSION SYSTEM

The warp core is located in the engineering section on Decks 6 and 7.  The matter-antimatter reaction assembly (M/ARA) runs vertically between the two decks, with the monitoring systems on the balcony above (Deck 6, Upper Engineering).  The core is constructed from a central translucent aluminum and duranium reactor with dilithium articulation frame, four-lobed magnetic constriction segment columns, and matter and antimatter injectors.  Plasma transfer conduits exit the core on Deck 7 and extend laterally until they extend upwards into the nacelles and the warp plasma injectors in Deck 6.  Anti-deuterium is stored in a standard Starfleet antimatter fuel tank on Deck 9 of the Secondary Hull.  The Deuterium fuel tank is located on Deck 8 of the Secondary Hull.

The forward part of the nacelles, unlike on most Federation ships, are located just within the main hull, leaving only the bussard collectors exposed.  The basic structure of the nacelles is similar to that of the remainder of the starship, however, the entire length of the nacelle housing is augmented with longitudinal stiffeners composed of cobalt cortenide to protect against high levels of warp-induced stress.  Throughout the nacelle housing are triply redundant conduits for Structural Integrity Field (SIF) and Internal Dampening Field (IDF) systems.  Each nacelle contains fifteen warp field coils.  Advances in variable warp field geometry ensures that all ships of this class will not cause harmful subspace damage.  All regulation warp engine controls and procedures apply to Steamrunner-class vessels. 

In the event of a possible warp core breach, the main M/ARA core can be ejected out of the bottom of the ship.

Normal Cruising Speed: Warp 7

Max Cruise: Warp 8 until fuel exhaustion

Maximum Safe Speed: Warp 9.6 for 8 hours

Note:. Pursuant to Starfleet Command Directive 12856.A, the Steamrunner class has received an upgrade to its Warp Core system to prevent further pollution of Subspace, thereby removing the Cruising speed limitation of warp 5.

5.1  IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEM

Output: Each engine (there are two impulse engines) can individually propel the Steamrunner at speeds just under .50c. "Maximum Impulse" is .75c (three-quarters of 186,282 miles per second, which is warp one), and requires both engines working at approximately 3/4 strength. Due to time dilation problems, standard impulse operations are limited to .25c ("Full Impulse"), with each engine working at .125c. "Half Impulse" is .125c, while '1/4 impulse' is .0625c.

5.2  REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

Type: Six packs of standard version magneto-hydrodynamic gas-fusion thrusters, identical to thrusters deployed on the Ambassador Class starship.

Output: Each thruster quad can produce 4.2 million Newtons of thrust.