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The slipstream is a narrowly-focused, directed [[Warp Field|warp field]] that is initiated by manipulating the fabric of the space-time continuum at the quantum level. It works by focusing a quantum field through a [[deflector dish]] to generate massive changes in local space curvature; this creates a subspace tunnel, which is projected in front of the vessel. Once a ship has entered this tunnel, the forces inside propel it at incredible speed. In order to maintain the slipstream a ship has to constantly modify the quantum field with its deflector dish; however, the calculations involved were too complicated for 24th century [[Star Fleet]] technology, and the time available was too short before the vessel out-paces the tunnel, collapsing the slipstream.
By 2415, thanks to decades of increased military spending, Star Fleet believed they had cracked the mystery of Slipstream Drive: generating the slipstream corridors required more processing power than forming warp fields; the computational power required is directly related to the frontal geometry of a vessel and lesser to the ship geometry. Therefore, slipstream propelled ships are generally narrow and compact with aerodynamic lines. However, they are also more energy-efficient than warp drive. The first tests had not taken geometry into account and failed, sometimes spectacularly, but the first Slip Vessel to successfully maintain a slipstream corridor , the [[USS Spirit]], was launched in 2416.
The first production ships to receive Slipstream Drive were the [[Vesta Class Explorer|Vesta Class Explorers]], but Star Fleet has plans to gradually phase out older designs and replace them with newer Slipstream-capable vessels.
===Slipstream Velocity===
