Difference between revisions of "Particle Fountain Project"
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| − | + | [[Image:particle_fountain.jpg|thumb|Particle fountain in action]] | |
| − | + | The '''Particle Fountain Project''' was initiated in [[2364]] to develop a new mining technology. | |
| − | The '''Particle Fountain Project''' was initiated to develop a new mining | ||
:''This project may have been named for a rare [[spatial anomaly]] known as a [[particle fountain]]. | :''This project may have been named for a rare [[spatial anomaly]] known as a [[particle fountain]]. | ||
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| − | It took about six years of study and research before the particle fountain was ready for field testing, but the project was plagued with many problems, which raised the question of whether this new technology was more efficient than conventional mining techniques. | + | The initial design of the particle fountain was to lift 500 kilograms (~1102 lbs) per minute from a [[planet]]ary surface. At the time the project began, lift capacity was far below this, and by increasing the particle stream density, the lift capacity was boosted by 72%. In order to prevent overloading the [[field generator]]s though, the stream overload needed to be distributed evenly throughout the system. It took four months to get the particle flux to its necessary strength. It took about six years of study and research before the particle fountain was finally ready for field testing, but the project was still plagued with many problems, which raised the question of whether this new technology was more efficient than conventional mining techniques. |
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| + | In [[2369]], the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D}} was sent to monitor the project's progress. [[Starfleet]] wanted a feasibility study performed, because they hoped to use the particle fountain on a planet rich with resources.<br> [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] was asked to evaluate the project and send his findings to Starfleet. [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Geordi La Forge]] was sent to the [[space station|station]] to perform the actual evaluation. On his first visit, there was a problem with the power grid. Shutting down the particle stream would have solved the problem, but would have caused a four month delay to the project, so the scientists used an [[exocomp]] to repair the power grid. | ||
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| + | It was asked to postpone the evaluation report by forty-eight hours, in order to try and complete the project within that time frame. With the risk being the project falling further behind schedule, the project runners opted to use the [[exocomp]]s. Despite the [[exocomp]]s' help, it was clear that full particle stream strength would not be reached within forty-eight hours, though it would be close. When there was a sudden power drain into the main particle impeller, within seconds the internal confinement fields were lost, and the particle stream could no longer be contained. This meant that the control room would be flooded with [[radiation]], and within one minute field ionization would made [[communications|communication]] and [[transporter|transport]] with the ''Enterprise'' impossible. The station was quickly evacuated. | ||
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| + | Due to the failure of the particle impeller, the particle fountain needed to be reconstructed. The team expected that within two years, the technology could be recommended to Starfleet again. | ||
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| − | + | [[category:engineering]] | |
Latest revision as of 15:34, 31 August 2021
The Particle Fountain Project was initiated in 2364 to develop a new mining technology.
- This project may have been named for a rare spatial anomaly known as a particle fountain.
The initial design of the particle fountain was to lift 500 kilograms (~1102 lbs) per minute from a planetary surface. At the time the project began, lift capacity was far below this, and by increasing the particle stream density, the lift capacity was boosted by 72%. In order to prevent overloading the field generators though, the stream overload needed to be distributed evenly throughout the system. It took four months to get the particle flux to its necessary strength. It took about six years of study and research before the particle fountain was finally ready for field testing, but the project was still plagued with many problems, which raised the question of whether this new technology was more efficient than conventional mining techniques.
In 2369, the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D was sent to monitor the project's progress. Starfleet wanted a feasibility study performed, because they hoped to use the particle fountain on a planet rich with resources.
Captain Picard was asked to evaluate the project and send his findings to Starfleet. Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge was sent to the station to perform the actual evaluation. On his first visit, there was a problem with the power grid. Shutting down the particle stream would have solved the problem, but would have caused a four month delay to the project, so the scientists used an exocomp to repair the power grid.
It was asked to postpone the evaluation report by forty-eight hours, in order to try and complete the project within that time frame. With the risk being the project falling further behind schedule, the project runners opted to use the exocomps. Despite the exocomps' help, it was clear that full particle stream strength would not be reached within forty-eight hours, though it would be close. When there was a sudden power drain into the main particle impeller, within seconds the internal confinement fields were lost, and the particle stream could no longer be contained. This meant that the control room would be flooded with radiation, and within one minute field ionization would made communication and transport with the Enterprise impossible. The station was quickly evacuated.
Due to the failure of the particle impeller, the particle fountain needed to be reconstructed. The team expected that within two years, the technology could be recommended to Starfleet again.
