USS Horizon Logistics

[Kheren]

UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS:
STARFLEET DIVISION
Advanced Technical Specifications for the Lotus-Class Production Vehicle

Accommodation: 2160 Officers and Crew, 600 visiting personnel
Classification: Galactic Explorer [Explorer/Defensive/Diplomatic]
Funding for Lotus Class Development Project Provided by: Lotus Fleet, Theoretical Propulsion Group, Jupiter Station Research and Development, Daystrom Institute, United Federation of Planets Defense Council
Development Project Started:2409
Production Start Date:2410
Production End Date:Still in Production
Current Status:entering service

Note: the Lotus class is the most costly design in both time and ressources, even well beyond that of the Odyssey class; it takes roughly twice the time and ressources needed for an Odyssey class to build one Lotus class vessel. Hence why it is not suitable as Starfleet Capital Ship class for practical production/deployement reasons, beyond other tactical considerations.

Locations of Lotus-Class Construction:

• Utopia Plenitia, Sol IV, Sector 001

Current Starship Identification and Registration Numbers:

• U.S.S. Horizon - NX-9000/NCC-102176
• U.S.S. Diamond Star - NX-9001/NCC-930001 (used as an engineering platform at Utopia Plenitia, Sol IV)

Projected starships Identification and registration numbers

• U.S.S. Lotus - NCC-974910
• U.S.S. Stargazer - NCC-932893
• U.S.S. Voyager - NCC-974656
• U.S.S. Endeavor - NCC-931716
• U.S.S. Arcturus - NCC-931807
• U.S.S. North Star - NCC-930005
• U.S.S. Farpoint - NCC-930006
• U.S.S. Starview - NCC-930007

Note: ships named from previous ones do not carry the Lettered denomination because they are now registered under an entire new 900000 registry with their original registry number included.

1.0 LOTUS-CLASS INTRODUCTION

1.1 MISSION OBJECTIVES
Pursuant to Starfleet Exploration Directives 902.3 & 914.5, Starfleet Defense Directives 138.6, 141.1 & 154.7, and Federation Security Council General Policy, the following objectives have been established for a Lotus Class Starship:

1. Provide a mobile platform for a wide range of ongoing scientific and cultural research projects beyond current interstellar vehicle capability.
2. Extend current Starship design and deployement as the primary instrument of Starfleet's exploration programs.
3. Provide autonomous capability for full execution of Federation policy options in distant, uncharted areas for extended period of isolation, equal to a small space station or outpost.
4. Incorporate recent advancements in warp and transwarp technology and improved science instrumentation and tactical capabilities.

 1.2 DESIGN STATISTICS

Length: 1285.02 meters
Width: 927.46 meters
Height: 199.91 meters
Weight: 9,000,000 metric tonnes

Cargo capacity: dependent upon mission type

Hull: Ablative armor overlaying a duranium microfoam/tritanium composite hull, augmented by synthetic castrodium alloy structural members. The whole underside of the secondary hull is a storage area for regenerative armor replicating material, providing a passive armor four meters thick in this whole area, thus protecting auxillairy crafts, main engineering sections and most of the ship thoroughly in orbital mode and, when properly oriented, against hazardous planetary and stellar body-phenomenon or hostile situations, as per starbase established designs. This can also be used a s a thermal shield for a relatively safe planetary crashlanding in case of loss of orbit.

Number of Decks: 43 (42 habitable) 4.6 meters/deck including bulkheads and 1.0 meter jefferies tubes


 1.3 GENERAL OVERVIEW
The Lotus Class starship entered service in 2410, marking the crowning achievement of over a century of engineering advancements, starting with the Transwarp Development Project in the late 23rd century and the Galaxy class design of mid-24th century. With currently only one in service, the Lotus Class is servicing the Federation and Starfleet.

Lotus Class vessels are to be the largest in the fleet along with the capital class of the Odyssey design, on par with the massive Romulan D'Deridex, built to boast Starfleet's most advanced technology and show the Federation's presence as if a core member world was next door with it's own mobile space station or outpost.Initial production of the Lotus Class began at the Advanced Starship Design Bureau Integration Facility, Utopia Planitia, Mars, and will later expand to include other classified bases. 

The first was prematurely assembled and launched from the Advanced Starship Design Bureau Integration Facility, Utopia Planitia, Mars, in early 2410 to help resolve the situation of the Azimuth Horizon Incident, before being consolidated with the rest of the primary production facilities in the Hromi Cluster, namely Starbase Lotus, as the ship was delivered to the elite Starfleet division of Lotus Fleet, already commended for it's significant role in stopping the final Borg Invasion of 2409 and now following their success during the operation.The design of primary and secondary hulls has been a staple of Starfleet since it's inception over two hundred years ago with the legendary Constitution Class.

Advances in that design includes the emergency separation mode, where the primary and secondary hull split into two separate vehicles, each capable of individual flight maneuvers. However, this design was initially an emergency response only, which required the ship to be towed to a Starbase to be put back together, until the advent of full separation mode with the Galaxy class. Now the Lotus Class, like the Galaxy class, Sovereign class and all twin-hulled designs that followed, can perform a saucer separation and rejoin itself, one of the biggest advances since the procedure was conceived. This advance in saucer separation makes it possible for the Lotus Class to use the maneuver routinely as a tactical maneuver, instead of a strategic contingency. The advancements and problems of the ultimate version of this concept, the Prometheus class, were resolved with Odyssey class carrying a small escort-type vessel in addition to it's saucer seper mode, an improvement that was also included in the Lotus class. Moreover, the size of the Lotus class allowed to provide the separated saucer with it's own hull-integrated warp nacelles, just like what had been tested successfully on the Defiant class, allowing it to reach up to warp 7 as an independent starship even if deprived of a secondary hull. Beyond the obvious tactical advantages, already tested with the Prometheus class, this would allow the crew to return home even in the advent of loosing the stardrive in a far away area; a lesson taught by the incredible hardships of the USS Voyager when it had been lost in the Delta Quadrant.

The secondary warp core needed for this, again build from Defiant class tested designs, is also what allows the successful implementation of transwarp technology when the vessel is whole.

The Lotus Class is well armed. Describing it as the best-armed ship in Starfleet could lead to arguments, but the vessel is able to hold it's own, even in some mismatched battles. Being the first vessel to mount the Type-XII Starbase-issued Phaser Array has made the class a foe to contend with. However, at the time of it's design, Starfleet decided that it would be best to limit the amount of torpedo tubes aboard the vessels. Designers went with five in the original specs. After layout problems and Starfleet's recommendation for less, the designers went back to the drawing boards. They decided to use a swiveling, larger launching system, one that would be able to process a loadout of ten casings. There were two of these launchers placed into the plans, one forward and one aft (plus two extra launchers for the separated saucer, one forward and one aft available only when in seper mode); Starfleet approved. Designs of other classes have had increasingly more amounts of torpedo launchers and tubes placed on them, to counter the new and increasingly more powerful threats facing Starfleet, but these were deemed sufficient to provide the Lotus class starship to provide adequate response in synergy with its other tactical systems.

 1.4 CONSTRUCTION HISTORY
Long before 2409, when the Lotus Class officially began, the seeds were being planted. During the waning days of the failed Transwarp Development Project in the late 2280's, the scope of advances in Warp Field Theory were beginning to be realized. While some arrogant designers, desperate to salvage the Transwarp Drive, thought they could modify the Excelsior Class enough to make their drive work, others knew it would be decades before the advances in theory could even be applied in practice. Starfleet not recognizing the split, went ahead with the refit of the Excelsior in the 2290's, and only afterwards came to the realization that the Transwarp Project had failed.By 2310's, those that had left the Transwarp Project and their inheritors were ready to pursue the next great project. They had designed the Ambassador Class; the ship they had hoped would make their dream come true. The Galaxy Class was designed to be extremely large. So large that it came with a new set of problems, especially with the Impulse Engines. These were later solved with the addition of the Space-Time Driver Coil. However, the dream that was sparked almost a century before was not realized. It had been glimpsed though, and Starfleet was convinced into backing it.

The next tests needed to focus on the actual engine of the future starships. Throughout the 24th century, the double-coil nacelle was successfully tested and implemented on Ambassador and Galaxy class vessels; more powerful m/ara engines developped for defiant and Sovereign battleships; and sturdier, more subspace-friendly hulls were also developped with classes like the Akira and the Intrepid classes. A plethora of ship designs literally exploded within few decades in several design directions at once, providing a large array of engineering data and tests in starship design and performance.By the early 2408, the designers were therefore ready for something bigger. Much bigger. They went for the concept of a mobile starbase, a starship that could match and even possibly surpass in size and power the immense D'Deridex and Scimitar classes of the Romulans.

The Odyssey class was the first step in this direction. But the limitations of the now established arrowhead spaceframe that had been first discovered with the Sovereign class were really starting to show as, the larger such a flattened, elongated ship became, the less efficient it became at warp transitioning and impulse maneuvering;the first one was annoying for deep space assignements; the second one was crippling in tactical engagements with comparable ships that proved more maneuverable like the Klingon Borthas.The engine and power distribution difficulties that plagued the Sovereign class before it could finally get the latest class 9 m/ara and the field tests on the earlier Galaxy Class confirmed from the data of previous ones like the Niagara, Springfield, Challenger and Cheyenne that, the more organic the ship was in shape, the better it made the transition into warp.

So, the design would eschew the arrowhead concept of later designs, pushed to the extreme with the triangular concept of ships like the Prometheus class. They went back to the true saucer form to reflect this, with even more curves, while maintaining a lower hull profile necessary for non-polluting warpfield efficciency. This positioned the new design as the first vessel in the last half century with such a design, and so it was as yet still unnamed even in discussion. The design incorporated an elliptical saucer and angled, curved secondary hull and flattened, elongated pod-like nacelles. The tested end result of organic-like designs as well as advances in warp drive technology proved that the triangular, sharp-angled design was not the only one to consider for future improved vessels.

To compensate for this return to more massive frames without loosing the advancements in warp geometry the flatter, angular frames easily provided, the spaceframe was made with pylons more angled and pushed farther back and with double-coiled nacelles much longer than the original Galaxy class design, thus creating a much more elongated warp geometry around a much less flattened, elongated spaceframe. This had become possible with the advent of much more powerful warp cores like the class IX of the Sovereign class and the much more efficient power distribution available from the gelpack technology, first successfully implemented for computer processing on the Intrepid class.Now it was time for the next generation to start.

The designers had gathered all the data they needed before they could begin on the final designs, still unnamed by Starfleet mandate, to the dismay of the designers (who already had named it the Horizon class, seeing it as the design that would open new horizons in space exploration as well as for starship built). Most of the designers had the feel of the scale for the future vessel though, and the Odyssey, already selected as the next capital ship class for Starfleet, was also appropriately measured toward that ideal. The successful launch and perfomance of the USS Odyssey and especially of the new USS Enterprise made this Odyssey class vessel very popular and thus was in full production as the mainstream capital ship by 2410.By then, designers were ready to jump into something that had even much larger proportions.

The Odyssey Class came into being, designed as a production line vessel. It was a smaller-scaled preliminary version of the future truly intergalactic vessel they had in mind, which the designers had now openly dubbed the Horizon Class. However, Starfleet was still not ready to officially give it a name. In truth, it had been over fifty years in the making. Two generations of starship designers had toiled since the implementation of the Galaxy class, determined to filter out the problems that had come with the size and complexity of that otherwise marvelous design; most of the first group was gone. Most had died, and those who remained were either too old or still held on too tightly to the idea of a Transwarp Drive.

But in 2397, Starfleet had given the word, and the designers were ready to create the pinnacle of almost two hundred years of work, tracing it's routes directly back to the Excelsior Class. When Starfleet gave the project it's official name, they conceded to the designer's wishes and it was finally officially christened the Horizon Class. In 2404 and 2405 the Advanced Starship Design Bureau at Utopia Plenitia started working on the design of the vessel under the direction of returning veteran captain Thomas Eugene Paris, the very man who had been the first living being to break the transwarp barrier. By 2408 all the ship's systems were frozen and they were ready to build.Construction on the first pair of vessels, the USS Horizon and the USS Diamond Star, started in 2408. By 2410, the Horizon was ready for tria runs under the original class designation of Horizon class galactic explorer, while the Diamond Star was kept in drydock as a testbed.

The second and third pair of vessels were commissionned just as the name of the class was changed in honor of the elite Starfleet Division that had been most instrumental in the final defeat of the Borg Collective: Lotus Fleet. Thus was finally born the Lotus class.

Even though the Lotus Class is a young class of starship, Starfleet and the Advanced Starship Design Bureau were keen on using the basic qualities of the old, honored Galaxy design, remove it's weaknesses and improve on it's overall success. For example, two extra phaser arrays were added to the nacelle housings to cover the observed blind spot and weaker firepower of the Galaxy class in the low-aft angles. The same improvement was done on the aft saucer section. These upgrades also included advancements to the latest warp core developped for the Odyssey class, to compensate for the elevated frame latest designs avoided since the discovery of subspace pollution effects. The upgrade made the ship faster and more efficient from a cleaner power source and distribution system, allowing it to achieve speeds over Warp 9.98 for twelve hours without causing the instability between the barrier of Space and Subspace that would have condemned it to the Warp 5 Directive.

Although as elevated as a Galaxy class, the organic-shaped frame was easily twice as long and large, resulting in an overall flatter hull giving the benefit of smaller streamlined shapes despite it's obviously much less "arrowed" shape.During first contact with the Dominion, the Galaxy class USS Odyssey was destroyed, revealing a weakness in the structural design. Around the deflector dish and neck of the Galaxy Class is an extreme weakness to attack. Even though a suicidal enemy vessel attacked the USS Odyssey, this weakness was later proved to be serious under torpedo fire. When work began on the Lotus Class design as an upgrade of the Galaxy one, this weakness was promptly addressed from the start. It was done by redesigning that part of the ship in lower, more angled configuration to deflect any possible impact with the same hull upgrade of ablative armor around sensitive areas that the last Galaxy ships had received for the Dominion war. In addition, the ramming-repulsor deflector pulse developped for the Achilles class was installed to further enhance as a whole the defense against any such ramming or collision when shields would be down, thus giving better survivability to the ship either in combat or in exploring hazardous areas like asteroid or mine fields.

Lastly, as the ablative regenerative armor was added to the design's defensive capabilities, the necessary replicating material was stored in the lowest part of the secondary hull and extended to the entire belly of the ship, literally creating a passive 4.6 meters thick shield underneath it, similar to what is standard on starbase designs against orbital hazards and degrading orbit-forced reentry.

Indeed, the Lotus class is nothing short of a mobile space station in size and intent.

[Kheren]

2.0 COMMAND SYSTEMS

2.1 MAIN BRIDGE

General Overview: Primary operational control for Lotus Class Starships is provided by the Main Bridge located at the top of the primary hull. It is located on Deck 1. The Main Bridge directly supervises all primary mission operations (with the exception of the Flight bay and assorted craft) and coordinates all departmental activities.The Main Bridge is also an ejectable, warp 6 capable module with a micro-torpedo launcher and one class VI 360 degrees phaser array on top and a similar one underneath, allowing for a wider variety in mission parameters as a small scoutship or diplomatic courrier with all the capabilties of a captain's yacht or a command shuttlecraft.

Layout: The current standard Lotus Class layout is as follows and follows the tim-honored layout of the earlier Galaxy class. In the center is Command area with three common seats, for the Captain, the Executive Officer to his right, and the Counselor/CMO to his left. This last chair, providing communications and both external and internal bio sensors and computer with a direct link to medical facilities and ressources, was successfully tested by Lotus Fleet, most notably on the USS Artemis, and is now a standard feature on all new Starfleet vessels. Further out from these are two more seats that can be used by VIP or other non-stationed personnel.At the front of the bridge is the Conn, starboard, and Operations, port, stations. Conn is the combination of Helm and Navigation, and Operations controls and monitors most vital ship functions. Operations is commonly in control of external sensors aboard Lotus Class starships.

Behind the Command area is the Tactical Rim. Here is the Primary and two Auxiliary Tactical stations. All tactical and security functions can be controlled and monitored from this point.

On the back wall from port to starboard are Engineering, Environment, Mission Operations, Science I, and Science II. These five stations are normally manned by the senior officer of the approriate department or his chief assistant. As with the sickbay-confined CMO, the traditonnal Chief Engineer in Main Engineering constraint has been resolved with the full technical situational display features of the engineering bridge station, whenre the ChEng can monitor, calibrate and modify power and damage control ressources inside as well as outside the ship with an eficiency never known before such advent in bridge function efficiency. Environment & Mission Operations can be controlled at the Operations console, and Science I & Science II are the science department's presence on the Bridge, with the Chief of Science able to use all the ressources of the ship,s computers and sensors for analyse and research as well as management and control of all the numerous sub-departments which do their work in the various labs on board the ship. This is a return to the time-honored exploration trend of the Constitution class and further establish the bridge as the true Operations center of the entire vessel.

There are three turbolifts leading off the bridge; one is an emergency turbolift that leads directly to the Battle Bridge, used when the main bridge is unusable or when the ship goes into separation mode, to control the stardrive section as an independent vessel.

There are also three rooms adjacent to the Bridge. The Captain's Ready Room is on the fore port of the Bridge. The Conference Room and Bridge Head are aft starboard.

 2.2 MAIN ENGINEERING
General Overview: Main Engineering is located on Deck 36 of the Lotus Class. Its primary purpose is to be the central point for control of all engineering systems aboard the vessel, especially those relating to propulsion and power generation. Here is located the Matter Antimatter Reaction Chamber also known as the Warp Core. There are three main consoles in Engineering, the Master Systems Monitor, Warp Propulsion System console, and Impulse Propulsion System console, which are also accessible from the bridge holographic Engineering master display. In between the Warp Propulsion System & Impulse Propulsion System console is the Master Systems Display.

Heading towards the warp core from the main entrance one will find the Chief Engineer's Officer on the left and the Assistant Chief Engineer's console on the right. A little more forward is the isolation door. Access to the upper level of Engineering can be found by a ladder on the left of the Matter Antimatter Reaction Chamber or an elevator on the right. The upper level has access to many auxiliary systems as well as egress points.

During emergencies, Main Engineering can be turned into a command and control center by converting a number of consoles to duplicate the stations on the Main Bridge. The software is already preloaded onto these consoles and each vessel has specific procedures in place in case a situation warrants.Also during emergencies, a level 10 forcefield covers the whole warp core to protect it further from damage as well as safeguard the crew from a core breach or radiation leak.

 2.3 BATTLE BRIDGE
Being able to separate into two distinct vessels, the Lotus Class has two Bridges. The second bridge is called the Battle Bridge and is located on Deck 8 in the neck portin ensconced inside the saucer section when both ship parts are joined.

This bridge duplicates most of the functions of the Main Bridge, but places emphasis on piloting, support, and tactical operations. To keep in tune with changing situations, the Battle Bridge is also modular like the Main Bridge.For the most part, the Battle Bridge is only used when the vessel is in separated flight mode. Outside of this, when the Main Bridge is non-operational, most command and control functions are routed to Main Engineering. However in situations were the Main Bridge will experience an extended period of being non-operational, Starfleet procedures require that the Battle Bridge be used to keep Main Engineering clear of non-essential personnel.

Security protocols ensure that the main bridge cannot be overriden from there unless proper command codes are used. The same safety precaution exists from main engineering relative to the battle bridge and main bridge.

 3.0 TACTICAL SYSTEMS 

3.1 PHASERS

Phaser array arrangement:
Primary Hull: One dorsal phaser arrays on the primary hull, extending three hundred forty degrees and point defense array directly over the main impulse engine. The arrays cover the entire semi-sphere above the ship. One ventral phaser array on primary hull, primary ventral array extending three hundred twenty degrees. Another array is located directly under the main impulse engine to cover the aft section of the ship between the nacelles. Total is four arrays on the primary hull.

Secondary Hull: Two dorsal phaser arrays each sides of the longituninal axis of the secondary hull. One aft point defense array just over the main shuttlebay door. One ventral phaser arrays along the central longitudinal axis. Total of four phaser arrays on secondary hull.

Nacelles/Pylons: One lateral primary array on each vertical bound pylon. Coverage is similar to Secondary Hull's Ventral Primary array. Total of two phaser arrays on Nacelles.

Phaser Array Type:The Lotus Class has Type-XII Phaser dualband-arrays. Currently unique to the Lotus class, the dualband array is the next step in phaser weaponry, as significant as the evolution from the old phaser banks to the standard array had been back in the early 24th century. Each array fires a pair of steady beam of phaser energy and the forced-focus emitters discharge the phasers at speeds approaching .986c.  Current Tactical policy has phaser arrays automatically rotate phaser frequency and coupling with tactical sensors provide the weaponry to attempt to lock onto the frequency and phase of a threat vehicle's shields with tactical sensors for better shield penetration.

Phaser Array Output:Each phaser array takes its energy directly from the impulse drive and auxiliary fusion generators. Individually, each type XII -emitter can only discharge approximately 8.0 MW (megawatts) per second. However, the twin array makes for two emitters to fire at once in the array during standard firing procedures, resulting in a discharge approximately 16 MW. When used in the standard fashion when several arrays (usually two) will fire at the same target, the resulting discharge rise up to an impressive 32 MW. The new power output allowed to significantly reduce the number of phaser arrays than what has been the current inflation tread in ship designs, thus making the ship both less threatening for peaceful contact and more difficult to disarm with fewer weapon ports for a potential enemy to target.

Phaser Array Range:Maximum effective range is 300,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose:Assault

Secondary purpose:Defense/anti-spacecraft/anti-fighter; energy transfer


3.2 TORPEDO LAUNCHERS

Arrangement:Four swivel torpedo launchers; one forward launcher and another aft of the secondary hull. The third launcher can only be used when the vessel is in Separated-Flight Mode; it is an aft firing launcher on the Primary Hull while the fourth one is forward and underneath of the saucer section, just over the base of the sensor dome, reminescent of the original Constitution class arrangement. Each is capable of firing off ten torpedoes in a single salvo. Launchers can be used to fire all types of photon, quantum and transphasic torpedoes.

Type:Mark II transphasic torpedo, the new Starfleet standard warhead of the 25th century, capable of pattern firing (sierra, etc.) as well as independent launch. Independent targeting once launched from the ship, detonation on contact unless otherwise directed.

Payload:800 torpedoes. half of them at least are transphasic warheads, the new standard for Starfleet ships, the rest being usually equally divided between quantum and photon torpedoes to provide versatility in facing unknown threats that might provide resilient to one type or another. The whole payload is equally divided between saucer and stardrive magazines but cargo transporters can send required ammo in any of those at a moment's notice if needed.

Range:Maximum effective range is 3,000,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose:Assault

Secondary purpose:Anti-spacecraft


3.3 DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
Type:Regenerative sensor-linked shielding: Symmetrical subspace graviton regenerating field with metaphasic program Laforge 1. This type of shield is fairly similar to those of most other Starships. Under the latest Starfleet Tactical Directives, all vessels incorporate the nutation shift in frequency and the sensor interface feature.

During combat, the shield sends data on what type of weapon is being used on it, and what frequency and phase the weapon uses. Once this is analyzed by the tactical officer, the shield can be configured to have the same frequency as the incoming weapon - but different nutation. This tactic dramatically increases shield efficiency. The random nutation programming prevents an enemy from reading a stable shield frequency to lock-on and exploit. Transporters shift their own frequencies with the shield nutation to allow full beaming capability even under full alert condition, thus solving the age-old problem of stranded personnel and refugees unable to be beamed out or back during tactical situations.

Output:There are a total of twelve pairs of shield generators on the Lotus Class. Each generator has a cluster of twelve thirty-two megawatt graviton polarity sources feeding a pair of six hundred twenty five millicochrane subspace field distortion amplifiers. During emergency situations, each pair of the generator grid have all it's generators synchronized together providing two thousand six hundred eighty-eight megawatts continuously. The maximum peak load is four hundred seventy-three thousand megawatts for one hundred seventy milliseconds. Furthermore, as shields are depleted by enemy fire, the second grid takes over while the first one regenerates itself back to full power, thus allowing a much longer survival rate of the ship under sustained heavy fire. This is the same system of regenerative shielding that had been implemented on the Sovereign class and now standard on most ships of Starfleet.

Metaphasic shielding: Perfected from the initial Ferengi invention by engineer Geordi laForge, this special shield modulation allows tremendous coverage from all bands of energies, be they gravimetric, electromagnetic, nucleonic or even more exotic like chronitons and verterons. Although the overall output is too low to work on amplified emissions (i.e. weapons fire) it does provide sufficient overall coverage to allow a ship to even stay for long durations inside a star's corona. Aside from offering new opportunities in scientific studies and tactical applications, the metaphasic shield also ensure better safety in facing the hazards, known and unknown, of space. But because it works as a diffusing process of surrounding energy, it does not provide any added protection against directed concentrated emissions like those of beam weapons.Breen Shield Defense: following the devastating effect of breen dissipation beams during the Dominion War, all shield emitters are now insulated against this effect through an impulse drive frequency adjustment first discoverd by accident on a Klingon warship and then rapidly implemented on all Alliance vessels during the war. The modification is now a standard procedure to all Federation shield systems.Range:The shields, when raised, operate at two distances. One is a uniform distance from the hull, averaging about ten to twelve meters. The other is a bubble field, which varies in distance from any single point on the hull but has a common center within the ship.

Primary purpose:Defense from enemy threat forces, hazardous radiation and micrometeoroid particles when deflector field is off.

Secondary purpose:Ramming threat vehicles; covering ship in distress.


4.0 COMPUTER SYSTEMS 

4.1 COMPUTER CORE

Number of computer cores:four.

The primary computer cores are located near the center of the primary hull at the center of Decks 8 to 13. There are two of them, one on each side of the ship thus to balance out the massive weight they entail.

The secondary cores are in the Secondary hull in the center of Decks 32 to 37. They are similarly balanced like the primary cores. Any single core is capable of operating all computer functions and all basic systems of the vessel. The secondary cores are usually dedicated to ship functions while the primary ones are used for research and recording. They all control one another and can operate together in any combination or independently. If one shows a malfunction, the others can isolate it or shut it down and takeover its functions until repaired.

Type:The computer cores on Lotus Class starships are neural gel-pack storage devices utilizing faster than light processing drives with an isolinear temporary storage back up and emergency functions capability. They are the very latest generation of this double system.

4.2 LCARS
Acronym for Library Computer Access and Retrieval System, the common user interface of 25th century computer systems, based on verbal and graphically enhanced keyboard/display input and output. The graphical interface adapts to the task which is supposed to be performed, allowing for maximum ease-of-use. The Lotus Class operates on LCARS build version 5.4 wich make them fully holographic consoles and take into account increases in processor speed and power, and limitations discovered in the field in earlier versions, and increased security. The operating version receives minor upgrades any time they are available when contact with another Starfleet vessel or facility is made. Controls can be adapted even to graphic manipulation to adjust for any kind of working appendage of the user.

4.3 SECURITY LEVELS

Access to all Starfleet data is highly regulated. A standard set of access levels have been programmed into the computer cores of all ships in order to stop any undesired access to confidential data.Security levels are also variable, and task-specific. Certain areas of the ship are restricted to unauthorized personnel, regardless of security level. Security levels can also be raised, lowered, or revoked by Command personnel.Security levels in use aboard the Lotus Class are:

Level 10 – Captain and Above
Level 9 – First Officer
Level 8 - Commander
Level 7 – Lt. Commander
Level 6 – Lieutenant
Level 5 – Lt. Junior Grade
Level 4 - Ensign
Level 3 – Non-Commissioned Crew
Level 2 – Civilian Personnel
Level 1 – Open Access (Read Only)Note: Security Levels beyond current rank can and are bestowed where, when and to whom they are necessary.The main computer grants access based on a battery of checks to the individual user, including face and voice recognition in conjunction with a vocal code as an added level of security.

4.4 UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR
All Starfleet vessels make use of a computer program called a Universal Translator that is employed for communication among persons who speak different languages. It performs a pattern analysis of an unknown language based on a variety of criteria to create a translation matrix. The translator is built in the Starfleet badge and small receivers are implanted in the ear canal.The Universal Translator matrix aboard Lotus Class starships consists of well over 100,000 languages and increases with every new encounter.

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5.0 PROPULSION SYSTEMS

5.1 WARP PROPULSION SYSTEM

Type:Theoretical Propulsion Group [TPG] Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Drive, developed by Theoretical Propulsion Group in conjunction with the Advanced Starship Design Bureau - Utopia Planitia Division. Information on this Warp Drive is classified [repealed: 2371; now available in standard Starfleet Omnipedia Databases].

The Lotus class sports two such warp cores; one of standard size in the secondary hull and a smaller one of the Defiant class type in the saucer section. There is also a reserve warp core of each type within the holds of the vessel.

Output: Each engine is of the double warp coil configuration first implemented on the Galaxy Class. A warp field can therefore be formed even if only one engine is operational, although such a circumstance would limit the ship to a maximum speed of warp 5.

Normal Cruising Speed:Warp 8.0

Speed Limit:Warp 9.0

Maximum Speed:Warp 9.987 for twelve hours

Note:Vessels equipped with the TPG M/ARA Drive System no longer have the maximum cruising speed limit of Warp 5, thanks to innovations discovered and utilized in the General Electric Type 8 M/ARA Warp Drive outfitted in the new Sovereign Class Starship. Pursuant to Starfleet Command Directive 12856.A, all Starships will receive upgrades to their Warp Core system to prevent further pollution of Subspace. The class 9 core of the Lotus class is the latest improvement on this disruptive-free technology. Furthermore, the spaceframe design of the Lotus class also prevents disruption through a better configured warp bubble from the successful fieldtests of earlier streamlined classes like the Intrepid.

 5.2 IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEM

Type:Modified Lotus Class in-line Impulse drives developed and built by Theoretical Propulsion Group in conjunction with the Engineering Division of Starbase Lotus. The modification is the Sangliar Burst Impulse Configuration, developped by a Lotus Fleet Tellarite engineer, Marksus Sangliar, from a captured criminal civilian prototype built to navigate efficiently within the intense power-draining conditions of the Azimuth Horizon anomaly. It is now being tested fully on the Lotus class as a new standard of impulse engine capable of functionning in hazardous space environements of intense radiation or gravity that would normally disable an impulse drive.

Output:Each engine (there are three impulse engines, the main one at the back edge of the primary hull and a secondary pair at the aft section of the secondary hull at the base of each nacelle pylon) can propel the ship at speeds just under .95c, or "emergency maximum impulse". Full impulse is .25c (one quarter of 300,000 kilometers per second (186,282 miles per second), which is warp one).

One engine can alone propel the entire ship at full impulse.Like the Ambassador and Galaxy Class, the Lotus Class utilizes the Space-Time Driver Coil to operate effectively at Impulse. The Driver Coil produces a non-propulsive symmetrical subspace field powered by the exhaust plasma from the Impulse Engines. The field helps the ship to accelerate, decelerate, and maneuver by effectively lowering it's apparent mass.

The three-engine triangular configuration gives this enormous vessel astounding agility for a vessel this size, able to match easily other ships one class below it's size and not be completely outmaneuvered by even those two size classes below.

5.3 REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
Type: Standard magnetohydrodynamic gas-fusion thrusters designed specifically for the Lotus Class.

Output:Each thruster quad can produce 5.5 million newtons of exhaust. Even in atmospheric conditions, the thrusters can propel the ship at Mach 25, more than enough to escape the gravity well of an Earth-type planet.

Tractor Emitter:All Reaction Control System Thruster packages on the Lotus Class have small tractor beam emitters. These emitters help in closed quarters or docking procedures.
 
5.4 TRANSWARP CONTROL SYSTEM

Type:Theoretical Propulsion Group [TPG] Matter/Anti-Matter Torres-Hansen Reaction Drive, developed by Theoretical Propulsion Group in conjunction with the Advanced Starship Design Bureau - Utopia Planitia Division and the Daystrom Institute, Division of Applied Subspace Mechanics. Dubbed "The New Experiment," information on this Transwarp Drive is highly classified [repealed: 2371; now available in standard Starfleet Omnipedia Databases].

Output: Both warp engines are needed to produce a transwarp field.

Normal Cruising Speed: Transwarp 2 or warp 8

Speed Limit: Transwarp 4

Maximum Speed: Transwarp 5 for no more than twelve hours

The Excelsior was the Federation Testbed for the controversial TransWarp Drive. The Transwarp Drive System primarily consists of the standard warp coils and conduits modified with an additional enlarged transporter emitter and pattern buffer assembly. Theroretically, the transporter assembly dublicates the first couple of warp fields and projects them forward of the warp-field sub-space envelope. The infinite attraction between the identical energy particles in the warp fields pulls the ship forward at lower power consumption.  The initial try failed because of the inability for the computer to control the transwarp reaction, resulting in immediate shutdown of the entire warp drive assembly. Advancement in computer technology, most notably the neural gel-packs, allowed to get the necessary computing power to make this technology finally applicable.In subspace physics, transwarp speed is any velocity greater than warp 10.  For many decades, transwarp was considered highly theoretical and mostly unattainable under normal warp theories.

Most theories indicated that any object traveling at warp 10 would be moving at infinite speed and, therefore, would simultaneously occupy every point of space in the universe. Nevertheless, Federation scientists attempted to create a functional transwarp drive system as early as 2275. Within a decade, the first prototype was installed aboard the experimental USS Excelsior. Unfortunately, the transwarp project ultimately proved too ambitious. During its initial test flight in 2285, the Excelsior was nearly destroyed by a nacelle implosion.  Subsequent tests were less catastrophic, but the Excelsior never made a successful test flight using the transwarp drive. Starfleet abandoned the transwarp project in 2287, and refitted the Excelsior with a standard warp drive system. The transwarp project remained defunct for most of the 24th century, as many scientists came to share the opinion that a stable transwarp drive system was unattainable.  

However, those preconceptions were shattered in 2364, when the USS Enterprise-D was catapulted into another galaxy—more than a billion light years—with assistance from an alien being known as the Traveler.  The voyage immediately rejuvenated the transwarp project as scientists began to examine the data collected during the event.  

The transwarp project received another jolt in December 2369, when the Borg invaded the Ohniaka System. The attacking vessel was transwarp capable, able to travel through self-created transwarp conduits that extended tens of thousands of light years.  The vessel, believed to be an advanced prototype, was ultimately destroyed by the Enterprise-D. The first Borg assault on the federation confirmed that the Borg indeed had transwarp technology, albeit later discovered that they used already built transwarp conduits instead of generating them like the lost prototype. This gateway system, although quite stable and efficient, was also considered by Starfleet and eventually started to be implemented in the early years of the 25th century.Transwarp conduits are artificial tunnels through the transwarp domain, often linked together by large transwarp hubs. The conduits are the most important part of the transwarp infrastructure; as such, the operation of transwarp drive systems is fundamentally different from a standard warp drive.  Though the Federation presently lacks the extensive network of transwarp hubs developed by the Borg, any starship—one without a transwarp drive—can gain entry into an established transwarp conduit by emitting an encoded tachyon pulse.Vessels traveling within these fixed transwarp conduits typically move at speeds thirty times faster than a vessel traveling at warp 9.

While any vessel can gain entry into a previously established transwarp conduit, only starships equipped with a transwarp drive system like the once only seen prototype can create new conduits.  The creation process yields a lower maximum speed than a permanent or previously established conduit, however it offers the flexibility to choose an exact route/destination rather than the predetermined course dictated by the established conduits.  Unless the aperture of the new conduit is immediately attributed to a transwarp hub, or otherwise stabilized, the new transwarp conduit will dissipate after a few hours.

It was already quite an improvement from the static, fixed gateway network, but it was still far from true transwarp travel, as efficient and practical as warp travel albeit on a grander scale, that Federation scientists aimed for.

And so, in the aftermath of the Borg incursions, the transwarp project was instilled with a considerable sense of urgency.  The Borg, in demonstrating their new vessel, also provided an influx of new information on transwarp systems.  The attack confirmed the existence of a transwarp domain—a secondary region of subspace that had been little more than theory since the transwarp project’s initiation in 2275.  The Borg demonstrated it was possible to open a conduit within the transwarp domain, effectively circumventing the standard warp barrier.

Unfortunately, despite the influx of new data, warp theorists around the Federation remained unsuccessful in their efforts to create a stable transwarp drive system.Despite the numerous advantages of travel through the transwarp domain, it is nonetheless a highly tenuous layer of subspace.  Many regions of the transwarp domain have Cochrane values of zero, effectively nullifying the transwarp conduits.  Additionally, large portions of the transwarp network can be easily disabled by a single torpedo. In August 2398, much of the transwarp infrastructure in the Jan’tral Sector was destroyed when the USS Starlight collapsed a transwarp conduit established by the Tholians to transport illicit goods into Romulan space. Scientists believe it will take the transwarp domain several years to recover.

As far as true transwarp travel as envisionned over a century ago by Starfleet goes, The Voth were until recently the only species known so far to have developed a stable transwarp system that does not access the transwarp domain.

For the Federation, the breakthrough came in 2375, when the USS Voyager made the very first successful transwarp flight in the Delta Quadrant.  The Voyager crew had previously made several unsuccessful attempts at crossing into transwarp. The encounter with the Voth and the acquisition of a transwarp coil from a damaged Borg sphere proved to be the critical components.  Voyager was able to journey 20,000 light years in just a few hours when it attempte to modify it,s own engines for transwarp travel. Thanks to the new neural gel packs for computer efficiency, they succeeded, only to be thwarted by the lack of power of their class 8 warp core.

When Voyager returned to the Alpha Quadrant in December 2377, Federation scientists were eager to inspect the coils and the engine modifications.  Combined with recent scientific advances and experiments, the transwarp project began to move forward at an astonishing pace. The first operational transwarp drive systems were being tested by 2387.  In January 2395, the Federation officially lifted the few remaining restrictions on transwarp flight, and a new era of space travel was at hand. It would be finally a reality with the perfecting of power systems on par with computerization that would give birth to the Lotus class. A preliminary test was implemented on the USS Lotus, one of the last-produced Intrepid class vessel that sported with it's latest generation of neural gel pack computer systems the latest class IX warp core. As it lacked the neural power distribution grid, it was expected that only one transwarp attempt could be made with the ship before it needed repairs of all its power systems at a starbase; but once was enough to prove the viability of the technology and go ahead with the production of genuine transwarp vessels.

Transwarp calculations.

The basic principle of transwarp calculation is essentially the same formula as for warp travel; but instead of calculating the speed of light (c) by the cube of the warp factor given, it is the cube of the actual lightspeed of the corresponding warp factor that is used. So we know that:
warp 1= 1c, warp 2 is 2X2X2c= 8c, warp 3 is 3x3x3= 27c, warp 4 is 4x4x4= 64c, warp 5 is 5x5x5= 125c, warp 6 is 6x6x6= 216c, warp 7 is 7x7x7= 343c, warp 8 is 8X8X8= 512c, 9 =729c
Thus, transwarp travel would be:T-warp 1= w1Xw1Xw1 or 1cX1cX1c = 1c, just like warp 1. Hence why Captains will often order warpspeed to prepare for transwarp drive as both come from the same core and engine and, at low levels, both are the same.

T-warp2= w2Xw2Xw2 or 8cX8cX8c= 512c or same as warp 8. Hence why a speed of over warp 2 (2.3) was required in the first successful attempt at breaching the warp barrier, why the second attempt with a shuttle required to go beyond warp 8 and how Voth ships can transit from warp to transwarp and back seemingly effortlessly (they obviously use transwarp velocity at low warp).

But then, once you truly enter the transwarp scale beyond the warp scale, you get:T-warp 3= w3Xw3Xw3 or 27cX27cX27c = 19683c; this means one light year in 27 minutes; T-warp 4= w4Xw4Xw4 or 64cX64cX64c = 262,144c; or one light year in 2 minutes; T-warp 5= w5Xw5Xw5 or 125cX125cX125c = 1,953,125c; or one light year in 16 seconds.

On it's first test flight to go from Utopia Plenitia to the Hromi sector, 80 light years away, in order to assist Lotus Fleet in the final phase of Operation Horizon as Romulan and Klingon forces encroached Federation space there, the USS Horizon, under the emergency command of construction head Captain Thomas E. Paris, pushed the transwarp propulsion to it's limit (factor 5) and reached the scene 21 minutes after leaving the orbit of Mars!

Transwarp comparative advantages.

Like the one used by the Voth, the Federation transwarp drive is the only free-navigating propulsion system known to date that allows travel beyond the warp barrier and still allowing complete contact with normal space and full maneuvering. By comparison:

Catapult technology: allows for no maneuvering and one way trip only as the launcher can not be carried in flight.

Borg (and Federation) Transwarp conduits: in truth a gateway system that, if it allows any craft to reach low transwarp velocities, requires and established, fixed and functional hub of limited travelling routes, much like artifical wormholes, therefore useless for exploring uncharted space.

Borg self-generating transwarp conduit: the experimental system never duplicated allows to move freely into uncharted space by creating temporary wormholes, but allows no maneuvering or contact in flight, just like the QSD drive 

Quantum Slipstream Drive (QSD): proven at least as fast and requiring much less energy or structural integrity (see below), it does not however allow any contact with normal space or maneuvering in flight, as the ship enters a quantum slipstream or tunnel that isolates it from space and subspace until emerging again at the destination.

Fasset Drive: used solely by the Illithyrii civilisation, it reaches hypervelocities by creating an artificial singularity and uses it's gravity well to drag the ship at the edge of it to speeds comparable to QSD drive. Although still within normal space and fully isolated from hazards due to the intense gravity funnel near it, the ship is unable to scan, maneuver or interact until the drive is off for the same reason, much like the QSD, but with the added inconvenience of causing massive disturbance in nearby space; it can thus be detected sectors away and cannot be safely used near stars and other objects that could affect it (like natural occuring singularities) or be affected by it's massive gravitational effect. It therefore requires carefully planned routes, also requires at least as much energy as Transwarp travel and the technology is incompatible with other known technologies.

Folding Space technology: As fast as Iconain transport (see below) and with the same limitations. It is theoreticlly feasible (the Elwey Theorem) but causes rapid and dedaly cellular degradation. The Delta Quadrant Sikarian technology, although free of that problem, is incompatible with Federation technology.

Coaxial induction drive: a variant of Fold Space Drive, it functioned by drawing in subatomic particles and reconfiguring their internal geometries. The drive is imperfect, however, as particle instabilities tended to overload the engines. To correct for this flaw, Tomas E Paris conceived of the idea of using a polaric modulator to dilute the particle stream as it enters the coaxial core, drawing inspiration from a 20th centurydevice known as a carburator. However, by targeting the polaric modulator with a chormoelectric pulse, it is quite easy to disrupt the engines and destroy it and the ship itself in an explosion spanning a billion kilometers. It is thus impractical in hostile situations or near inhabitable areas and deemed too risky to use safely.

Iconian long distance transporter technology: certainly the fastest travel mode as it is virtually instantaneous; it is therefore useless for space charting, maneuvering or tactical use except fast positionning and the technology is barely understood at this time.

Transwarp limitations.

As with warpspeed, the higher the factor is, the greater the speed but also the greater the power requirement and structural integrity needed to achieve and maintain that speed safely. At the current state of developpement of power systems and spaceframe alloys and SIFs, the Federation transwarp drive is again facing the same mass/energy ratio barrier as it did during the early developpement of warp drive and for the same reason (factor 5) albeit this time at a much higher scale.

Until now, all attempts to reach transwarp factor 6 resulted in either a total failure and severe damaging of the power system of the prototype, or it's complete destruction. Any transwarp speed beyond transwarp factor 5 is labeled extremely risky at this time and should not even be attempted until further developpement in spaceflight technology will make it possible... if ever.

The only current hope is the early research in neutronium alloys for sturdier, "indestructible" spaceframes, but the inherent difficulty in obtaining and working the material (the very substance of neutron stars) ad the extremely high increase of mass from the substance itself are causing problems of their own, currently amplifying dramatically the already unsolved power needs in the equation.

A solution to power needs might reside in the microsingularity power source like what is used in Romulan starships, but this area of research is just as theoretical at this point, as Romulan ships, despite using such a power source, are not in any way more powerful overall than conventional matter-antimatter powered vessels.

[Kheren]

6.0 UTILITIES AND AUXILLIARY SYSTEMS

6.1 NAVIGATION DEFLECTOR

Without some sort of deflector system, space travel at high velocities, let alone warp speeds, would be impossible due to collisions with objects ranging from stray hydrogen atoms to large planetary fragments. A standard Lotus Class main deflector dish is located along the forward portion of the secondary hull, and is located just forward of the primary engineering spaces. Composed of molybdenum/duranium mesh panels over a duranium framework, the dish can be manually moved 9.8 degrees in any direction off the ship's Z-axis.

The main deflector dish's shield and sensor power comes from nine graviton polarity generators located on Deck 34, each capable of generating two hundred seventy-two megawatts which fed into eight of 750 millicochrane subspace field distortion amplifiers. The navigational array of the Lotus class has a much higher stress tolerance to High-Warp and High-Energy discharges than any navigational array before it.  This is, in part, to the increased number of graviton polarity generators, but also due to the amount of power provided to the assembly itself.Because of the transwarp capabilities inherent to the Lotus Class, configuration of the dish differs from standard, with a setup geared toward high-speed and balanced against efficiency. The dual G-P generators are mounted with their own emitters that flank the main emitter assembly in the center of the dish. Furthermore, the auxilliary deflector is used as a compensator to allow fully safe travel at transwarp, thus requiring the ship to be whole to benefit from this higher travel mode.

6.1.1 AUXILIARY DEFLECTOR

The Lotus class is outfitted with a secondary, or auxiliary deflector. Mounted in the forward section of the saucer, the auxiliary deflector serves as a backup in navigation, as well as for additional energy projection or when the saucer is in seperation flight mode. Composed of molybdenum/duranium mesh panels over a tritanium framework (beneath the Duranium-Tritanium hull), the deflector can be manually moved five degrees in any direction off the ship's Z-axis.

The deflector dish's shield and sensor power comes from two graviton polarity generators located on Deck 6, each capable of generating 128 MW, which can be fed into two 480 millicochrane subspace field distortion generators.This backup deflector also serves to reinforce the ship's warp field at speeds exceeding Warp 8.5 or during transwarp velocities Originally seen as a means to augment the warp field due to technological limitations in graviton field generation during the development of the pathfinder vehicle, the saucer deflector is actually identical to the primary deflector of the Defiant class and is more or less a carry-over in the design process as was successfully tested on the Sovereign class and later capital ship designs.

6.2 TRACTOR BEAM

Type:Multiphase subspace graviton beam, used for direct manipulation of objects from a submicron to a macroscopic level at any relative bearing. Each emitter is directly mounted to the primary members of the ship's framework, to lessen the effects of isopiestic subspace shearing, inertial potential imbalance, and mechanical stress. There are two emitters on the secondary hull, under the mid lower belly and over the stern, and one under the saucer section behind the sensor dome.

Output:Each tractor beam emitter is built around three variable phase sixteen megawatt graviton polarity sources, each feeding two four hundred seventy-five millicochrane subspace field amplifiers. Phase accuracy is within 0.9 arc-seconds per microsecond, which gives superior interference pattern control. Each emitter can gain extra power from the SIF by means of molybdenum-jacketed waveguides. The subspace fields generated around the beam (when the beam is used) can envelop objects up to 1,080 meters, lowering the local gravitational constant of the universe for the region inside the field and making the object much easier to manipulate.

Range:Effective tractor beam range varies with payload mass and desired delta-v (change in relative velocity). Assuming a nominal 45 m/sec-squared delta-v, the multiphase tractor emitters can be used with a payload approaching 232,760,000,000 metric tons at less than 4,000 meters. Conversely, the same delta-v can be imparted to an object massing about one metric ton at ranges approaching 40,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose:Towing or manipulation of objects

Secondary purpose:Tactical, pushing objects to a target or enemy ships into each other. Fast switching of pulling and pushing (alternating polarity) can produce a disruptor effect on matter (i.e. crush hull plates of an enemy ship)

6.3 TRANSPORTER SYSTEMS

Number of Systems: 28

Personnel Transporters: 8 (Transporter Rooms 1-8)
Max Payload Mass: 900kg (1,763 lbs).
Standard operation is quantum resolution (lifeform)

• Max Range: 40,000 km
• Max Beam Up/Out Rate: Approx. 100 persons per hour per Transporter

Cargo Transporters: 8
Max Payload Mass: 800 metric tons.
Standard operation is molecular resolution (Non-Lifeform).

• Max Range: 40,000 km

• Set for quantum (Lifeform) resolution: 1 metric ton
• Max Beam Up/Out Rate (Quantum Setting): Approx. 100 persons per hour per Transporter

Emergency Transporters: 12
Max Payload Mass: 900kg (1,763 lbs).
Standard operation is quantum resolution (lifeform)

• Max Range: 15,000 km max (depends on available power; half with impulse; a quarter with batteries or reactor power)

• Max Beam Up/Out Rate: Approx. 100 persons per hour per Transporter; limited to beam outs only but can be fully automated and beaming time is reduced by half.

6.4 COMMUNICATIONS

Standard Communications Ranges
allowing direct instant communication)

• RF: 5.2 AU
• Subspace: 22.65 LY without subspace relays

Standard Data Transmission Speed: 18.5 kiloquads per second
Subspace Communications Speed: Warp 9.9997


7.0 SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS

7.1 SENSOR SYSTEMS

Long range and navigation sensors are located behind the main deflector dish, to avoid sensor "ghosts" and other detrimental effects consistent with main deflector dish millicochrane static field output. Lateral sensor pallets are located around the rim of the entire starship, providing full coverage in all standard scientific fields, but with emphasis in the following areas:

1. Astronomical phenomena

1. Planetary analysis

1. Remote life-form analysis

1. EM scanning

1. Passive neutrino scanning

1. Parametric subspace field stress (a scan to search for cloaked ships)

1. Thermal variances

1. Quasi-stellar material

2. Sub-Quantum Mass Particles

Each sensor pallet, seven hundred in all, can be interchanged and re-calibrated with any other pallet on the ship, including those in storage.Additional sensors are placed behind the auxiliary deflector, allowing the Lotus class one of the most refined forward scanning capabilities of any ship in the fleet. Warp Current sensor: This is an independent subspace graviton field-current scanner, allowing the Intrepid class to track ships at high warp by locking onto the eddy currents from the threat ship's warp field, then follow the currents by using multi-model image mapping.

The Lotus class starship is additionnally equipped with two high-power science sensor pallets within a high resolution powerful starbase array-type sensor dome in the saucer section, ventral. The pallets are unplated for ease of upgrade and repair, as well as enhancing sensor acuity beyond anything currently installed on other starships.

Pel Navigation Sensor program: developped by Lotus Fleet Ferengi science officer Pel to protect a ship against sudden, unpredictable subspace emergence of the Azimuth Horizon anomaly, thei modification has been integrated as an autowarning system that put the ship in immediate evasive action when a thyhreatening effect of phenomena is detected by the sensors. The program can be configured to any and several types of hazards as needed and will couple with auto-emergency deflector and shield activation in case of identified threats. It can for example send a ship into immediate evasive with shields at full strenght when a cloaked ship suddenly attack.

Syntron Space Sonar. Developped by Lotus Fleet Vulcan science officer Syntron to navigate in the Mutara nebula searching for a lost ship, this uses a ship's deflector dish as a burst particle emitter, sending a signal in the forward arc of the deflector that can bounce back from material objects of a predetermined density or chemical composition, effectively acting as a kind of sonar in deep space to nullify interference from interfering emissions and substances. it can for example detect a ship under perfect cloak as long as it is within the arc of the ship's deflector.

7.2 TACTICAL SENSORS

There are fifty-six independent tactical sensors on on the Lotus Class. Each sensor automatically tracks and locks onto incoming hostile vessels and reports bearing, aspect, distance, and vulnerability percentage to the tactical station on the main bridge. Each tactical sensor is approximately eighty-four percent efficient against Electronic Counter Measures.

7.3 STELLAR CARTOGRAPHY

The entrance to the main stellar cartography bay is located on Deck 7. The lab is served by a direct Electro-Plamsa System power feed from the impulse engines. All information is directed to the bridge and can be displayed on any console or the main viewscreen. It is the same holographic system of display as initially tested on the USS Enterprise D the year it was lost at Veridian III.

7.4 ASTROMETRICS LABORATORY

An advancement in integrated data processing, the Astrometrics Laboratory on Deck 7 brings with it technological refinements used first aboard the USS Voyager. Served directly by the auxiliary computer core, the Astrometrics Lab conceivably has the largest single processing potential of any single laboratory aboard ship. Facilities include multiple multi-use consoles, control facilities, a large wraparound viewscreen and a centrally placed dais with holo emitter.All information is directed to the bridge and can be displayed on any console or the main viewscreen. When under warp or staffed by demand, the Astrometrics Laboratory is manned by one supervising officer and as many as eight subordinates.Note:Astrometrics serves the functions of Stellar Cartography also but without the powerful holographics imagery system.

7.5 SCIENCE LABS

There are over two hundred separate scientific research labs on board the Lotus Class. However depending upon current internal arrangement the ship can have more. At the same time all labs are specifically designed for adaptability. Very few of the labs will remain under the same discipline of science for more than six months. Most science labs share the same design, only a few have extremely specialized equipment. When necessary, the Engineering department can by contacted and the lab can be outfitted with equipment either in storage or replicated. Other, even more specialized equipment can be brought on board by mission specialists and installed per approval of appropriate members of the Senior Staff.

7.6 PROBES

A probe is a device that contains a number of general purpose or mission specific sensors and can be launched from a starship for closer examination of objects in space.There are nine different classes of probes, which vary in sensor types, power, and performance ratings of which the Lotus class carries 20 of each type and can manufacture more as needed. The spacecraft frame of a probe consists of molded duranium-tritanium and pressure-bonded lufium boronate, with sensor windows of triple layered transparent aluminum. With a warhead attached, a probe becomes a photon torpedo. The standard equipment of all nine types of probes are instruments to detect and analyze all normal EM and subspace bands, organic and inorganic chemical compounds, atmospheric constituents, and mechanical force properties. All nine types are capable of surviving a powered atmospheric entry, but only three are special designed for aerial maneuvering and soft landing. These ones can also be used for spatial burying. Many probes can be real-time controlled and piloted from a starship to investigate an environment dangerous hostile or otherwise inaccessible for an away-team.The nine standard classes are:

7.6.1 CLASS I SENSOR PROBE:
Range: 2 x 10^5 kilometersDelta-v limit: 0.5cPowerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsionSensors: Full EM/Subspace and interstellar chemistry pallet for in-space applications.Telemetry: 12,500 channels at 12 megawatts.

7.6.2 CLASS II SENSOR PROBE:
Range: 4 x 10^5 kilometersDelta-v limit: 0.65cPowerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion, extended deuterium fuel supplySensors: Same instrumentation as Class I with addition of enhanced long-range particle and field detectors and imaging systemTelemetry: 15,650 channels at 20 megawatts.

7.6.3 CLASS III PLANETARY PROBE:
Range: 1.2 x 10^6 kilometersDelta-v limit: 0.65cPowerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsionSensors: Terrestrial and gas giant sensor pallet with material sample and return capability; onboard chemical analysis submoduleTelemetry: 13,250 channels at ~15 megawatts.Additional data: Limited SIF hull reinforcement. Full range of terrestrial soft landing to subsurface penetration missions; gas giant atmosphere missions survivable to 450 bar pressure. Limited terrestrial loiter time.

7.6.4 CLASS IV STELLAR ENCOUNTER PROBE :
Range: 3.5 x 10^6 kilometersDelta-v limit: 0.6cPowerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion supplemented with continuum driver coil and extended deuterium supplySensors: Triply redundant stellar fields and particle detectors, stellar atmosphere analysis suite.Telemetry: 9,780 channels at 65 megawatts.Additional data: Six ejectable/survivable radiation flux subprobes. Deployable for nonstellar energy phenomena

7.6.5 CLASS V MEDIUM-RANGE RECONNAISSANCE PROBE:
Range: 4.3 x 10^10 kilometersDelta-v limit: Warp 2Powerplant: Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine; extended duration sublight plus limited duration at warpSensors: Extended passive data-gathering and recording systems; full autonomous mission execution and return systemTelemetry: 6,320 channels at 2.5 megawatts.Additional data: Planetary atmosphere entry and soft landing capability. Low observatory coatings and hull materials. Can be modified for tactical applications with addition of custom sensor countermeasure package.

7.6.6 CLASS VI COMM RELAY/EMERGENCY BEACON:
Range: 4.3 x 10^10 kilometersDelta-v limit: 0.8cPowerplant: Microfusion engine with high-output MHD power tapSensors: Standard palletTelemetry/Comm: 9,270 channel RF and subspace transceiver operating at 350 megawatts peak radiated power. 360 degree omni antenna coverage, 0.0001 arc-second high-gain antenna pointing resolution.Additional data: Extended deuterium supply for transceiver power generation and planetary orbit plane changes.

7.6.7CLASS VII REMOTE CULTURE STUDY PROBE:
Range: 4.5 x 10^8 kilometersDelta-v limit: Warp 1.5Powerplant: Dual-mode matter/antimatter engineSensors: Passive data gathering system plus subspace transceiverTelemetry: 1,050 channels at 0.5 megawatts.Additional data: Applicable to civilizations up to technology level III. Low observability coatings and hull materials. Maximum loiter time: 3.5 months. Low-impact molecular destruct package tied to antitamper detectors.

7.6.8 CLASS VIII MEDIUM-RANGE MULTIMISSION WARP PROBE:
Range: 1.2 x 10^2 light-yearsDelta-v limit: Warp 9Powerplant: Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 6.5 hours at warp 9; MHD power supply tap for sensors and subspace transceiverSensors: Standard pallet plus mission-specific modulesTelemetry: 4,550 channels at 300 megawatts.Additional data: Applications vary from galactic particles and fields research to early-warning reconnaissance missions

7.6.9 CLASS IX LONG-RANGE MULTIMISSION WARP PROBE:
Range: 7.6 x 10^2 light-yearsDelta-v limit: Warp 9Powerplant: Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 12 hours at warp 9; extended fuel supply for warp 8 maximum flight duration of 14 daysSensors: Standard pallet plus mission-specific modulesTelemetry: 6,500 channels at 230 megawatts.Additional data: Limited payload capacity; isolinear memory storage of 3,400 kiloquads; fifty-channel transponder echo. Typical application is emergency-log/message capsule on homing trajectory to nearest starbase or known Starfleet vessel position



8.0 CREW SUPPORT SYSTEMS

8.1 MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Hospital Deck: The Lotus class starship has an entire deck (deck 12) dedicated to health and healing. Along with full hospital facilites can be found a psychiatric ward, a transition ward, physiotherapeutic and other specialzed treatment rooms, intensive care ward, an isolation ward, several special environemental chambers, a barymetric chamber and enough stasis pods to put the entire ship complement into suspended animation if such an extreme need arise. In short, every medical need for treatment or research is available.

Sickbay:There are two sickbay facilities located on Deck 12, working as the emergency rooms of the Hospital deck. The primary facility has two intensive-care wards, a laboratory, a nursery, and the Chief Medical Officer's office. The secondary facility has two dedicated surgery suites, a physical therapy facility, a nursery, and a null-gravy therapy ward. The primary facility is located on the port side of the vessel and the secondary facility is located on the starboard side. Also pursuant to new Medical Protocols, all Primary Medical Facilities are equipped with holo-emitters for the usage of the Emergency Medical Holographic System.

Aid Stations:Like on Starbases and other large ships, the Lotus Class has nurse stations around the vessel, almost on each deck. These areas are staffed on a rotating schedule during green mode, and during higher alert status they may all be activated. They provide first aid to injured personnel and become quick essential command posts during situations where the ship is damaged. When the Captain needs to know how many people are injured, those who find out serve at these stations.

8.2 CREW QUARTERS SYSTEMS

General Overview:All crew and officers' quarters are located on decks 2, 3, 5, 7-11, 13-14, 17-20, and 32-33.Individuals assigned to Lotus Class Starships for periods over six months are permitted to reconfigure their quarters within hardware, volume, and mass limits. Individuals assigned for shorter periods are generally restricted to standard quarter configuration.

Crew Quarters:Standard Living Quarters are provided for both Starfleet Non-Commissioned Officers and Ensigns. These persons are expected to share their room with another crewmate due to space restrictions aboard the starship. After six months, crewmembers are permitted to bring family aboard the ship and a slightly larger room is allocated to them.Two NCO's or two Ensigns are assigned to a suite. Accommodations include 2 bedrooms with standard beds, connected by a living/work area. A washroom with ultrasonic shower is located off of each bedroom. A food replicator and a personal holographic viewer are located in the living area. Small pets are allowed to NCO's.Enlisted crewmembers share quarters with up to 4 others. Accommodations include 2 bedrooms with twin beds, connected by a living/work area. A washroom with ultrasonic shower is located off of each bedroom. A food replicator and a personal holographic viewer are located in the living area. Pets are not allowed to enlisted crew.Crewmen wishing for a more communal environment, like those of Deltan or Andorian origin, can request that their living quarters be combined to create a single larger dwelling.

Officers' Quarters: Starfleet personnel from the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade up to Commander are given one set of quarters to themselves.  In addition, department heads and their assistants are granted such privileges as well, in an effort to provide a private environment to perform off-duty work.  After six months, officers are permitted to bring family aboard the ship and a slightly larger room is allocated to them.  Members of the Captain's Senior Staff can have these restrictions waved with the Captain's permission.These accommodations typically include a small bathroom, a bedroom (with standard bed), a living/work area, a food replicator, an ultrasonic shower, personal holographic viewer, and provisions for pets.Officers wishing for a more communal environment, like those of Deltan or Andorian origin, may request that their living quarters be combined to form one large dwelling.

Executive Quarters: The Captain and Executive Officer of Lotus Class Starships have special quarters, located on Deck 8.These quarters are much more luxurious than any others on the ship are, with the exception of the VIP/Diplomatic Guest quarters. Both the Executive Officer's and the Captain's quarters are larger than standard Officers Quarters, and this space generally has the following accommodations: a bedroom (with a nice, fluffy bed), living/work area, bathroom, food replicator, ultrasonic shower, old-fashioned water shower, personal holographic viewer, and provisions for pets. The second officer and senior staff have similar quarters with less area, generally between that of the Executive Quarters and the Officer's Quarters.

VIP/Diplomatic Guest Quarters: The Lotus Class is a symbol of UFP authority, a tool in dealing with other races. Starfleet intends to use Lotus Class in diplomacy several times, and the need to transport or accommodate Very Important Persons, diplomats, or ambassadors may arise.These quarters are located on Deck 8. These quarters include a bedroom, spacious living/work area, personal viewscreen, ultrasonic shower, bathtub/water shower, some provisions for pets, food replicator, and a null-grav sleeping chamber. These quarters can be immediately converted to class H, K, L, N, and N2 environments.

Special decks: The Lotus class starship comes with environemental facilities that had last been seen on the galaxy class, most notably a hydroponics bay and ajointed arboriteum, providing natural oxygen source, recreational area of natural feel and an environement adapted to arboreal lifeforms. Also notable is the Aquatic deck, another natural oxygen source from the algae and plancton living there, providing also an aquatic environement for amphibian and marine species, water reserve and yet another recreational area of planetary-like environement.

8.3 RECREATION SYSTEMS

General Overview: Along with the Odyssey Class, the Lotus Class is the largest vessel in Starfleet and its design has been maximized for scientific and tactical usage. However, it is realized that the stress of operating at ninety-nine percent efficiency on a ship that is built for deep-space exploration in far away reaches of space, possibly out of contact for extended periods of time, can be dangerous or detrimental to mental and emotional health, so there are some recreational facilities on board.

Holodecks: There are eight standard holodeck facilities on the Lotus Class located on Deck 11.

Holosuites: These are smaller versions of standard Federation Holodecks, designed for individual usage (the eight Holodecks themselves are to be used by groups or individual officers; enlisted crewmen and cadets are not allowed to use the Holodecks under normal circumstances). They do everything that their larger siblings do, only these Holosuites can't handle as many variables and are less detailed. They are equivalent to the Holodecks on an Intrepid Class Starship. There are forty Holosuites on board as well, located on Decks 14 and 33.

Phaser Range: Sometimes the only way a Starfleet officer or crewman can vent his frustration is through the barrel of a phaser rifle. The phaser range is located on Deck 14.Normal phaser recreation and practice is used with a type III phaser set to level 3 (heavy stun). The person stands in the middle of the room, with no light except for the circle in the middle of the floor that the person is standing in. Colored circular dots approximately the size of a human hand whirl across the walls, and the person aims and fires. After completing a round, the amounts of hits and misses, along with the percentage of accuracy is announced by the ship's computer.The phaser range is also used by security to train ship's personnel in marksmanship. During training, the holo-emitters in the phaser range are activated, creating a holographic setting, similar to what a holodeck does. Personnel are "turned loose" either independently or in an Away Team formation to explore the setting presented to them, and the security officer in charge will take notes on the performance of each person as they take cover, return fire, protect each other, and perform a variety of different scenarios. All personnel on board are tested every six months in phaser marksmanship.

There are 25 levels of phaser marksmanship. All personnel on board are trained in the operation of phaser types II and I up to level 14. All security personnel on board must maintain a level 17 marksmanship for all phaser types. The true marksman can maintain at least an eighty percent hit ratio on level 23. The Lotus Class carries both the standard phaser rifle and the new compression phaser rifle.

Weight Room/Gymnasium: Some Starfleet personnel can find solace from the aggravations of day-to-day life in exercising their bodies. The Security department on board encourages constant use of this facility; tournaments and competitions are held regularly in this room.The weight room is located on Deck 14, next to the phaser range. This weight room has full body building and exercise apparatuses available for your disposal; any kind of exercise can be performed here, be it Terran, Klingon, Vulcan (it isn't logical to let your body atrophy), Bajoran, Trill, or others.There is also a wrestling mat in the weight room, which can be used for wrestling, martial arts, kickboxing, or any other sort of hand-to-hand fighting.

There are holo-diodes along the walls and ceiling which generate a holographic opponent (if you can't find someone to challenge), trained in the combat field of your choice. The computer stores your personal patterns of attack and defense as it gains experience on your style of fighting, and adapts to defeat you. All personnel on board must go through a full physical fitness and hand-to-hand combat test every six months.There are also racks of hand-to-hand combat weapons, for use in training. Ancient weapon proficiencies for Starfleet personnel are recommended by Starfleet's security division; phasers may not always be available for use in contingencies. Terran, Klingon, Betazoid, Vulcan, Bajoran, and other non-energy weapons are available for training.

8.4 THE CROW'S NEST

This is a large lounge, located on Deck 10, at the forward most part of the ship. It has a very relaxed and congenial air about it; The Crow's nest, named after the highest observation point of antique sailships, is the only place on the ship where rank means nothing - "sir" need not be uttered when a person of lower rank addresses an officer, and everyone is on an equal footing. Opinions can be voiced in complete safety. This lounge is the social center of the ship.The Crow's Nest or as some calls it, the Nest, has a battery of recreational games and assorted "stuff." 3-D chess, pool tables, poker tables (complete with holographic dealer and chips), windows that look out into space, heavily cushioned seats, and numerous other games. There is also a bar (usually serviced by an on-duty bartender with servers, all junior crewmembers or officers on disciplinary duty for minor offenses), and it stores various potent alcoholic beverages (accessible only under the authority of the captain, the First officer or the Chief Quartermaster), such as Chech'tluth, Bloodwine, Aldebaran whiskey, Saurian brandy, Tzartak aperitif, Tamarian Frost, C&E Warp Lager, Warnog, Antarean brandy, Andorian Ale and countless others. The replicators are also able to produce other food and beverages for the crew to enjoy in this relaxed social setting.

[Kheren]

9.0 AUXILIARY SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS

9.1 SHUTTLEBAYS

General Overview: There are three shuttlebays aboard each Lotus Class. Shuttlebay 1 is on Deck 4 of the saucer section, while Shuttlebays 2 and 3 are on Deck 13 of the stardrive section. The Lotus Class contains the latest in Starfleet shuttle and runabout-type designs. A space/air-traffic control room, known as "Flight Ops" controls the Shuttlebays. This is located against the forward wall of each Shuttlebay, next to the exit for the turbolift.

9.2 SHUTTLECRAFT

The Shuttlecraft loadout on a Lotus Class contains the following:

1. At least ten class XI shuttlecrafts with living quarters module
2. At least ten class XI shuttlecrafts with no set modules
3. Usually Twelve shuttlepods
4. Usually Four Sphinx Workpods
5. Usually Eight Workbees
6. Ordinance, Fuel, Spare Parts, and/or shuttlecraft Modules
7. Flight Ops

10.2.1 TYPE-16 SHUTTLEPOD

Type: Medium short-range sublight shuttle.
Accommodation: Two; pilot and system manager.
Power Plant: Two 750 millicochrane impulse driver engines, four RCS thrusters, four sarium krellide storage cells.
Dimensions: Length, 4.8 m; beam, 2.4 m; height 1.6 m.
Mass: 1.25 metric tons.
Performance:Maximum delta-v, 12,250 m/sec.
Armament: Two Type-IV phaser emitters.Like the Type-15, the Type-16

Shuttlepod is a two person craft primarily used for short-ranged transportations of personnel and cargo, as well as for extravehicular inspections of Federation starships, stations and associated facilities.  Lacking the ability to obtain warp speeds, the Type-16 is a poor candidate for even interplanetary travel, and is traditionally used as a means of transport between objects only a few kilometers apart.  The craft is capable of atmospheric flight, allowing for routine flights between orbiting craft or stations and planetside facilities, and its cargo capacity is slightly higher then that of the Type-15.  Ships of this type are stationed aboard various starship classes and stations, both spaceborne and planetside.


10.2.2 TYPE-10 PERSONNEL SHUTTLECRAFT

Type:Heavy long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation:Two flight crew, two passengers.
Power Plant: One 250 cochrane warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions:  Length, 9.64 m; beam, 5.82 m; height 3.35 m.
Mass:  19.73 metric tons.
Performance:  Warp 5.
Armament:  Three Type-V phaser emitters, two micro-torpedo launchers, jamming devices.

Developed specifically for the Defiant-class starship project, the Type-10 Personnel Shuttle is the largest departure from the traditional role of an auxiliary craft that Starfleet has made in the past century.  Short of a dedicated fighter craft, the Type-10 is one of the most powerful auxiliary ships, with only the bulkier Type-11 being more heavily equipped.  Nonetheless, the shuttle sports increased hull armor and the addition of micro-torpedo launchers, as well as a suite of tactical jamming devices.  A larger warp coil assembly, as well as torpedo stores, makes the Type-10 much more heavier then other shuttles.  Elements from the Defiant-class project that were incorporated into the shuttle include armored bussard collectors, as well as a complex plasma venting system for use during possible warp core breech situations.  This bulky craft is equipped with a powerful navigation deflector that allows it to travel at high-warp, and a complex sensor system makes this shuttle suitable for reconnaissance work.  Able to hold its own in battle situations, the Type-10 is seeing limited deployment on Defiant and Aquarius class starships, as well as border patrol vessels and combat-ready ships. 


10.2.3 TYPE-11 PERSONNEL SHUTTLECRAFT

Type:  Heavy long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation:  Four flight crew, six passengers.
Power Plant:  One 400 cochrane warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions:  Length, 16 m; beam, 9.78 m; height 4.25 m.
Mass:  28.11 metric tons.
Performance:  Warp 6.
Armament:  Four Type-V phaser emitters, two micro-torpedo launchers (fore and aft), aft-mounted veritable purpose emitter.

With an ultimate goal towards creating a useful all-purpose shuttlecraft, the designers of the Type-11 Personnel Shuttle set out to create a craft that was equipped with all the systems of a starship within the shell of a relatively small shuttle.  Allocation of the larger Danube-class runabout to starships in the field proved too costly, and with the expressed need by the Sovereign-class development team for a capable shuttle, the Type-11 was born.  Its overall frame and components are a meshing of lessons learned in both the Type-9 and Danube-class vessels.  Impressive shielding, several phaser emitters, micro-torpedo launchers and a capable warp propulsion system makes this shuttle capable of performing a multitude of tasks.  Both the ventral and dorsal areas of the shuttle feature a new magnaclamp docking port that is capable of linking up to other ships similarly equipped.  A two-person transporter and a large aft compartment with a replicator adds to the shuttle’s versatility.  The end hope is that these all-purpose shuttles will replace the more specific-purpose crafts already stationed on starships, reducing the amount of space needed for shuttle storage in already-cramped bays.  The Type-11 is now seeing general deployment as old runabouts are decommissionned.


10.2.4 WORK BEE

Type: Utility craft.
Accommodation: One operator.
Power Plant: One microfusion reactor, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 4.11 m; beam, 1.92 m; height 1.90 m.
Mass: 1.68 metric tons.
Performance:Maximum delta-v, 4,000 m/sec.
Armament: None

The Work Bee is a capable stand-alone craft used for inspection of spaceborne hardware, repairs, assembly, and other activates requiring remote manipulators.  The fully pressurized craft has changed little in design during the past 150 years, although periodic updates to the internal systems are done routinely.  Onboard fuel cells and microfusion generators can keep the craft operational for 76.4 hours, and the life-support systems can provide breathable air, drinking water and cooling for the pilot for as long as fifteen hours.  If the pilot is wearing a pressure suit or SEWG, the craft allows for the operator to exit while conducting operations.  Entrance and exit is provided by the forward window, which lifts vertically to allow the pilot to come and go.A pair of robotic manipulator arms is folded beneath the main housing, and allows for work to be done through pilot-operated controls.  In addition, the Work Bee is capable of handling a cargo attachment that makes it ideal for transferring cargo around large Starbase and spaceborne construction facilities.  The cargo attachment features additional microfusion engines for supporting the increased mass.


10.2.5 TYPE-M1 SPHINX WORKPOD

Type: Light industrial manipulator (Sphinx M1A), medium industrial manipulator (Sphinx M2A), medium tug (Sphinx MT3D).
Accommodation: Pilot (M1A, M2A); pilot and cargo specialist (MT3D).
Power Plant: One microfusion reactor, four alfinium krellide power storage cells, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 6.2 m; beam, 2.6 m; height 2.5 m.
Mass: 1.2 metric tons.
Performance:Maximum delta-v, 2,000 m/sec.
Armament: None

Along with the Work Bee, the various Sphinx Workpod types are becoming a common site in any large Federation shipbuilding facility.  Intended never to be far from its parent facility, the Workpod was designed to allow greater user hands-on control of the various functions involved with day-to-day construction and repair.  With more tools then the Work Bee, the Sphinx M1A and M2A are used primarily to manipulate spaceborne hardware during construction.  The Sphinx MT3D is a third variant of this robust design, and can be used for towing objects to and from the construction site.  Furthermore, a group of MT3D units can work together to tow larger objects into place, including most starship classes, when large tractor emitters are not an option.  All three variants utilize the same basic systems, and are small enough to fit inside of a Type-9A Cargo Shuttlecraft.  All variants of the Sphinx Workpod are more and more commonly found at Federation Fleet Yards and Starbases, as well as on larger Starfleet vessels.


9.3 CAPTAIN'S YACHT / SCOUTSHIP

Type: Lotus Class Integrated Craft
Accommodation:  4 flight crew, 20 passengers.
Power Plant:  One 5,220-millicochrane warp engine, two 750-millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions:  Length: 50m; Width: 22.5m; Height:12m
Performance:  Cruise: Warp 5; Max Cruise: Warp 6; Max Warp: Warp 7/12hrs
Armament:  5 Type-V Phaser Strips, Pulse Emitter, Micro-Torpedo Launcher

Mounted in a recessed docking port at the aft of the primary hull, the Lotus-class Captain’s Yacht serves dual purposes. A situation to be dealt with by the captain of a starship does not always require the entire ship to accompany him or her, or the ship may have a more important mission to accomplish. In these cases, the Captain’s Yacht provides a long-range craft that is capable enough to function without its primary vessel. Be it a simple excursion to get away from the stresses of command, or a run to retrieve or deliver VIPs, the yacht serves as an extendable arm of the Lotus class. Access to the Yacht is provided through dorsal entry hatch affixed to a docking collar on the upper half of the craft.  It is essentially divided into two decks, with the bottom deck housing a toroidal driver coil-based impulse propulsion system, two landing legs for planetary landings, a series of aerodyne flight motors for atmospheric flight as well as fuel and maintenance access to various subsystems.Manned by a normal flight crew of two and one service representative to assist diplomatic guests, the upper deck houses a flight deck, two modest staterooms, flight crew bunks, and a galley.  The Yacht is specially designed so that it can be launched from its parent ships at speeds as high as Warp 7.  A deflector system and onboard sensor pallets make the craft suitable for short-range travel.  Used normally to transport dignitaries to and from a planet's surface when normal transporter use is not possible, the Yacht is capable of atmospheric flight and planetary landing.  Entry/egress platforms on both ends of the craft allow the crew to easily enter and exit the craft. Facilities include six sleeping bunks and a comfortable passenger cabin. A replicator and flight couches provide for the needs of the passengers and a two-person transporter allows for beaming of personnel or cargo when needed.


9.4 INTEGRATED ESCORT SHIP : USS POLARIS

Type: Aquarius Class Integrated escort/destroyer starship
Designation: USS Polaris
Registry Number: NCC-931839

Accommodation: 40 flight crew, 150 evacuation limit.

Power Plant:  Class-8A Compact Matter-Antimatter Reaction Assembly (M/ARA) and 2 retractable warp nacelles. The nacelles are folded during docking or impulse flight to protect them in LTL hazardous situations like combat engagements or atmospheric flights.3 in-line impulse engines made of 3 pairs of redundant fusion reactors, space-time driver coils, and vectored exhaust directors. The exhaust products may be held temporarily in the impulse nozzle cowling to minimize the ship's ion or EM signature, or they can be vented through electroporous plates along the trailing surface of the cowling.  All three main impulse engines are configured for better fuel efficiency than standard impulse drives and located on both Decks 2 and 3. A pair of smaller impulse engines are located on Deck 2 and provide propulsion and power to the Warhead section during separated flight mode.  8 RCS thruster groups. Two are placed in the forward hull, four in the mid-hull, and two in the aft cowling.  Deuterium is supplied by the primary tankage on Deck 2 and immediate-use tanks within thruster packages. Each thruster quad is capable of producing 4.2 million Newtons of exhaust.An integral set of ventral docking clamps and landing pads had been designed into the Aquarius for ditching operations as well as for recoverable planetary landings. Lift off from a normal Earth-type gravity well is feasible with RCS Thrusters alone which can achieve Mach 20 in an Earth-type atmospheric density.

Dimensions: 
Length: 119m;
Width: 90m (nacelles deployed);
Height:26m
Mass: 350,000 metric tons

Cargo capacity: 10,000 metric tons

Hull: Ablative armor overlaying a duranium/tritanium composite hull, augmented by synthetic castrodium alloy structural members. The forward hull has been equipped with a detachable pod consisting of the vehicle's main sensor and navigational deflector, airlock module, and a last-resort matter-antimatter warhead. All protected internal systems that require access to the vessel exterior are equipped with articulated or jettisonable hull plates, so that most of the familiar structures are hidden from view, including shuttlebay doors, docking ports, lifeboats, impulse vents, and consumables resupply connectors.

Performance:  Cruise: Warp 7; Max Cruise: Warp 9; Max Warp: Warp 9.982/12hrs.

Armament:  2 Type-X Phaser Strips (1 ventral, 1 dorsal), 2 Pulse phaser cannons (forward), 2 Torpedo Launchers (1 forward, 1 aft) with a maximum of sixty transphasic warheads.

Defenses:
Regenerative shielding with automodulator and metaphasic programs. 4 paired shield generators located throughout the vehicle space frame.  The forward-most generator is located along the vehicle centerline within the Warhead section, and is responsible for keeping it shielded in the event that it must separate from the ship.  Two additional generators are located further within the hull from the warp nacelles, port and starboard, while the final generator is located on the centerline just above the main impulse engines and forward of the deuterium storage tanks on Deck 1. 

Regenerative ablative armor:successfully tested on the Defiant Class USS McKenzie, it allows full coverage of the ship against damage when shields are not in use, since the armor covers the shield emitters (as well as the phaser strips). Limited cargo space for replicable material however greatly reduces the use of this feature as an emergency measure only, usually when shields fail or are unusable.

Number of decks: 5 (4 habitable)

Probes: because of size constraints similar to the Defiant class, only type VIII and XI probes are carried (10 of each) as they use the same casings and propulsion/navigation systems as torpedoes. For the same reason each probes carried replaces one torpedo in the inventory, making mission planning essential before launch. Standard is 5 of each, leaving 50 warheads available.

Shuttlecraft: 2 Type-16 Shuttlepods, 2 Sphinx Work Bee, 2 Type-10 ShuttlecraftTransporters: Two 4-man personnel, One cargo.

Deck Layout:

Deck 1:  Main Bridge, Captain's Ready Room/quarters, Transporter Room 1, Pulse Phaser Cannons (2), Upper Main Engineering, Plasma Exhaust Vents, Upper Sensor Array, Officer and Crew Quarters, secondary tractor emitter

Deck 2:  Lower Main Engineering, Main Impulse Engines, Computer Core, Targeting Sensors, Mess Hall, Warp Coils, Med/Science Lab, Sickbay, Transporter Room 2, Officer and Crew Quarters, Warhead Control Room; Phaser Control Room.

Deck 3:  Main Impulse Engines, Warhead Impulse Engines, Shuttlebay 1-2-3, Cargo Bay 1-4, Airlocks (2), Aft Torpedo Magazine, Warp Coils, Shuttle and Work Bee Maintenance

Deck 4:  Landing Struts, Navigational Deflector, Pulse Phaser Cannons (2), Aft Torpedo Launcher, Forward Torpedo Launcher, Lower Sensor Array, Shuttlebay 1-2 Exterior Doors and Elevator System,

Deck 5: Antimatter Storage,Deuterium Storage, Forward and Aft Torpedo Magazines, Main Tractor Emitter, Shuttlebay 3 door, computer and tank ejection hatches, core vents

Mounted in a recessed docking area within the lower aft of the secondary hull, the Aquarius-class destroyer was developped initially for the Odyssey class capital ship and here adapted to be just as fully integrated with the Lotus class spaceframe. It serves dual purposes. In it's role as a mobile base for far away exploration, the Lotus class uses the smaller but fast and powerful escort for reconnaissance and charting missions or for tasks requiring a starship but not all the ressources of the main vessel or yet too risky or impractical to use the larger frame, such as planetary operations and landing. The other is to provide tactical support to the main vessel in case of more severe hostile situations that a lone ship could have difficulty handling.As a stand alone starship, the Aquarius class escort is a modernized and bug-free version of the Defiant class and with all the same capabilities, ressources and limitations, serving the same purposes:

1. Serve as the first-line of defense in military combat operations and lend support to larger Federation starships, here the Lotus class mothership.
2. Provide autonomous capability for full execution of Federation defense policy options in outlying territories and far away areas where the Lotus class is deployed and operating.
3. Take on the burden of border patrol and threat-response operations from the main frame.
4. Provide a mobile platform for testing and implementation of mission-specific or new technology, specifically in the areas of covert and tactical operations in a more practical manner than working them on the mainframe.
5. Serve as a platform capable of rapid deployment for special and covert operations deemed necessary by the mothership.

Unless stated otherwise, all technical specs conform to those found for the latest refit uprated version of the Defiant Class starship.

[Kheren]

10.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS

 10.1 MISSION TYPES

A Lotus Class Starship is designated as a long range, long term Explorer. Explorer Type Starships are always Multi-Mission platforms. Each ship is capable of performing a wide range of tasks without any modifications. Trying to define every mission that a Lotus Class Starship could perform would be a task which can't be completed. For the most part though, Starfleet will send a Lotus Class Starship on missions where Starfleet support would be unavailable, missions of importance and missions that are considered more dangerous than others, mostly because of this isolation. This justifies some of the expense in resources that it takes to build a Lotus Class.

10.2 OPERATING MODES

The Lotus Class has the standard mix of Operating modes. The first is Green or Cruise mode. This describes the normal operating condition of a starship. The second is yellow alert, this is a heightened state of alert where the shields are usually active and the weapons brought to hot-standby. The third stage is red alert, this is reserved for emergency conditions. Other stages used by the Lotus Class include Support Mode, where the ship is docked to a station or starbase which provides all of it's necessary operation energy. Grey mode, also known as Reduced Power Mode, is where all non-essential systems on board are shut down to conserve power. Separated Flight Mode describes the set of operational procedures when the vessel is performing a saucer separation maneuver. Detailed information on these operating procedures can be found in any Starfleet Database.

10.3 SEPARATED FLIGHT MODE

While briefly mentioned in 10.2 of this document, the Lotus Class was designed to recombine without the aid of a starbase facility. Prior to 2353 and the advent of the Galaxy class, this particular acheivement had not been realized. Since then other classes, essentially capital ships like the following Sovereign, Vesta and Odyssey classes, have had this mechanism installed, which was also pushed to the upper limit with the Multi-Vector Assault Mode of the Prometheus class. Based on the Galaxy class succesful tests, the Lotus class share also this now well-proven feature.

10.4 MAINTENANCE

Though much of a modern starship’s systems are automated, they do require regular maintenance and upgrade. Maintenance is typically the purview of the Engineering, but personnel from certain divisions that are more familiar with them can also maintain specific systems.Maintenance of onboard systems is almost constant, and varies in severity. Everything from fixing a stubborn replicator, to realigning the Dilithium matrix is handled by technicians and engineers on a regular basis. Not all systems are checked centrally by Main Engineering; to do so would occupy too much computer time by routing every single process to one location. To alleviate that, systems are compartmentalized by deck and location for checking. 

Department heads are expected to run regular diagnostics of their own equipment and report anomalies to Engineering to be fixed.Systems Diagnostics:All key operating systems and subsystems aboard the ship have a number of preprogrammed diagnostic software and procedures for use when actual or potential malfunctions are experienced. These various diagnostic protocols are generally classified into five different levels, each offering a different degree of crew verification of automated tests. Which type of diagnostic is used in a given situation will generally depend upon the criticality of a situation, and upon the amount of time available for the test procedures.

Level 1 Diagnostic - This refers to the most comprehensive type of system diagnostic, which is normally conducted on ship's systems. Extensive automated diagnostic routines are performed, but a Level 1 diagnostic requires a team of crew members to physically verify operation of system mechanisms and to system readings, rather than depending on the automated programs, thereby guarding against possible malfunctions in self-testing hardware and software. Level 1 diagnostics on major systems can take several hours, and in many cases, the subject system must be taken off-line for all tests to be performed.

Level 2 Diagnostic - This refers to a comprehensive system diagnostic protocol, which, like a Level 1, involves extensive automated routines, but requires crew verification of fewer operational elements. This yields a somewhat less reliable system analysis, but is a procedure that can be conducted in less than half the time of the more complex tests.Level 3 Diagnostic - This protocol is similar to Level 1 and 2 diagnostics but involves crew verification of only key mechanics and systems readings.

Level 3 diagnostics are intended to be performed in ten minutes or less.

Level 4 Diagnostic - This automated procedure is intended for use whenever trouble is suspected with a given system. This protocol is similar to Level 5, but involves more sophisticated batteries of automated diagnostics. For most systems, Level 4 diagnostics can be performed in less than 30 seconds.

Level 5 Diagnostic - This automated procedure is intended for routine use to verify system performance. Level 5 diagnostics, which usually require less than 2.5 seconds, are typically performed on most systems on at least a daily basis, and are also performed during crisis situations when time and system resources are carefully managed.


11.0 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

11.1 EMERGENCY MEDICAL OPERATIONS

As on most starship classes the Lotus Class has set proceedures in case the vessel encounters a medical emergency which Sickbay cannot handle on it's own. The Holodecks are pre-programmed with holographic medical facilities that can supplement those in Sickbay. At the same time equipment modules stored in the Cargo Bays can be set up in the Cargo Bays or one of the three Shuttlebays. This equipment also provides extra medical facilities [with at least one equipment module dedicated as a morgue]. When longer term care is necessary, quarters on board can be reconfigured to provide necessary medical support as well as private comfort.

11.2 LIFEBOATS

Pods are located on decks below Deck 2. Each pod can support a total of eighty-six person-days (meaning, one person can last eighty-six days, two can last for forty-three, etc.). Two pods are reserved for the top four officers in the chain of command on each vessel, because they are the last four to leave the ship. These are located on Deck 3. As the number of experienced Captains dwindles in Starfleet, the notion of a Captain going down with his ship has been abolished. If the ship is abandoned, the top four officers in the chain of command will wait until everyone else is off the ship, opt to arm the auto-Destruct (not always necessary, but there if needed), and then leave in the two escape pods.

The current lifepods are called ASRVs, or autonomous survival and recovery vehicles. The first group of these were delivered in 2337 to the last Renaissance Class starship, the USS Hokkaido.In case of catastrophic scenarios where time to evacuate is problematic, the bridge module has been implemented to act as an emergency giant escape pod able to evacuate the entire bridge crew and up to three dozen people; usually all people on decks 1 and 2 while the other decks can rush to the standard lifepods on their respective levels.

Autodestruct can be armed (or countermanded) from the bridge even in separated mode with the proper codes by the Captain or next highest ranking officer in actual command.

11.3 RESCUE AND EVAC OPERATIONS

In situations where more than one atmosphere is necessary it reduces the volume available for consistent density. An example of this is when one hundred persons of an N Class atmosphere must be evacuated along with ten thousand persons of an H Class atmosphere. As neither one can share the M Class atmosphere used aboard most Starfleet vessels, and they cannot share each other's atmosphere, each group must be separated from the others. This breaks down to the density of the H Class evacuees being much higher than that of the N Class or M Class, and thus also reduces the amount of space available for any other evacuee groups because the N Class is taking up space that it doesn't use but cannot transfer elsewhere.

• Evacuation Limit: 30,000 persons in a single atmosphere
• Transport Limit to Ship: 800 persons per hour
• Transport Limit from Ship: 2000 persons per hour

The Transporter is an ideal way to evacuate personnel from dangerous locations. When transporting to the ship the emergency transporters are not available, as these are beam out only. This is the reason for the difference between to and from ship limits. However, in both cases the cargo transporters were not utilized in the figures. By design, transporter capability allows to evacuate the entire ship complement within one hour with transporters alone.More detailed information on Rescue and Evac Operations, including those procedures involving the use of shuttlecraft can be found in any Starfleet Database.

11.4 LANDING MODE

The Lotus Class was designed to complete an emergency saucer landing. This is a one-way trip. Starfleet did not wish to incur the expense of doing a real world test, so until 2371 when the Galaxy-class Enterprise-D completed this maneuver, it had never been done. Review of the Enterprise incident showed that it was a viable last resort option. Once down however, there is no going back. The saucer section is too large to return to orbit intact. Once landed, the vessel will meet one of two fates. The first is to be slowly dismantled if the vessel landed on a friendly planet. The second fate is to be destroyed if the vessel landed in or near enemy territory.

The stardrive section is also able to land and even to take off again if structural integrity is sufficient, thanks to the stockage of armor replicating material in the lowest deck providing an effective atmospheric shield in case of forced reentry.

The bridge module is also capable of multiple landings and take-offs just as easily as any shuttlecraft and the integrated escort vessel also comes with emergency landing struts to allow the same capability.

[Kheren]

"APPENDIX A

- DESIGNATION

GES – Galactic Exploratory Starship
Original designation: Horizon class; in reference to the new horizons of exploration this class of vessels would open. it is projected that ship will be the initiator of exploration beyond our galaxy, or at the very least the first step in achieving it.
Official Designation upon entering service (2410) : Lotus class; in honor of the elite division of Starfleet responsible for deciding actions during the Borg Invasion and later in thwarting the cosmic-scaled catastrophy of the Azimuth Horizon anomaly.
Popular designation: "The New Experiment"; in reference to the first earlier 23rd century Excelsior class attempt at a free-navigating transwarp drive propulsion system.



APPENDIX B

- BASIC TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ACCOMMODATION
Officers and Crew: 2160
Visiting Personnel: 600
Evacuation Limit: 30,000

DIMENSIONS
Overall Length: 1284 meters
Overall Height: 200 meters
Overall Beam: 972 meters


PERFORMANCE

Standard impulse velocity with Sangliar pulse-firing system against cosmic interference
Standard Velocity (cruising speed) : Warp 8.0 (or transwarp 2.0)
Maximum Velocity Warp: Warp 9.0
Emergency Velocity: Warp 9.987 (12 hrs)
Transwarp Standard Velocity: T-Warp 2.0
Transwarp Maximum Velocity: T-warp 4.0
Transwarp Emergency Velocity: T-Warp 5.0 (12 hours)

ARMAMENT

10 Type XII dual-band phasers 
4 burst 10 swivel-mount torpedo launchers with 400 transphasic warheads, 200 quantum warheads, 200 photon warheads and 100 spare casings for probe or torpedo augment.
note the 4th aft saucer launcher is available only in seper mode. Industrial replicators on board can only manufacture replacement photon torpedoes.

DEFENSES

Standard ablative armor 10cm
Regenerative ablative armor 2 cm
reinforcements over sensitive areas (bridge, engineering etc)
regenerative modulating sensor-linked graviton shields with integrated metaphasic program
anti-ramming deflector field grid,
emergency forcefields around warp core and to cover hull breaches or contain boarding parties.
Pel navigational sensor program against cosmic hazards.
Syntron Space Sonar.
Personal Inertial Dampeners.

Industrial replicators can manufacture replacement material for regenerative and standard armor.

TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
Shuttlecraft

• 12 class XI shuttlecrafts with living quarters module
• 12 class XI shuttlecrafts with no set modules
• 12 class X shuttlecrafts
• 12 class 18 shuttlepods
• 4 Sphinx Workpods
• 8 Work Bees

Transporters

• 8 personnel
• 8 cargo
• 12 emergency

APPENDIX C

- DECK LAYOUT

Saucer Module
Deck 01: Main Bridge, Captain’s Ready Room, Observation Lounge
Deck 02: Senior Officer's Quarters, Junior Officer’s Quarters
Deck 03: Junior Officer’s Quarters
Deck 04: Main Shuttle Bay, Cargo Bays
Deck 05: Science Labs, Captain’s Yacht Docking Port (aft)
Deck 06: Transporter Rooms 1-4, Science Labs, Secondary Deflector Generators
Deck 07: Residential Apartments, Stellar Cartography, Astrometrics lab
Deck 08: VIP Residential Apartments, Captain’s Quarters, XO Quarters, Computer Cores
Deck 09: Residential Apartments, Computer Cores
Deck 10: Main Lounge (forward), Computer Cores, Main Impulse Engines (aft)
Deck 11: Holodecks, Computer Cores, Residential Apartments
Deck 12: Sickbay, Medical Laboratories, Hospital Deck, Computer Cores
Deck 13: Computer Cores, Life Support, Computer Control
Deck 14: Residential Apartments, Gymnasium, Training Areas
Deck 15: Maintenance, primary hull torpedo magazines and launchers
Deck 16: Engineering Support Labs, primary hull weapons control room

Stardrive Section
Deck 08: Battle Bridge
Deck 09: Docking Latches
Deck 10: Emergency Batteries, secondary bull Phaser Systems and control room
Deck 11: Life Support Systems
Deck 12: Science Labs
Deck 13: Shuttlebays 2 and 3
Deck 14: Shuttlebay Support, Personnel Transporters 5 to 8
Deck 15: Science Labs
Deck 16: Maintenance, Brig and security level
Deck 17: Living Quarters
Deck 18: Living Quarters
Deck 19: Living Quarters, hydroponics, Arboriteum
Deck 20: Living Quarters, Aquatic deck, Water tanks
Deck 21: Power Distribution Controls
Deck 22: Engineering Support Labs
Deck 23: Life Support Systems
Deck 24: Science Labs
Deck 25: Dorsal Docking Port, Forward Torpedo Launcher
Deck 26: Environmental Support
Deck 27: Cargo bays
Deck 28: Deuterium Fuel Storage
Deck 29: Deuterium Injection Reactors
Deck 30: Deuterium Fuel Pumps and Fill Ports
Deck 31: Cargo bays, Cargo Transporters
Deck 32: Engineering Support, Secondary computer Cores
Deck 33: Aft Torpedo Launcher, secondary impulse engines, aft torpedo magazines, Secondary computer Cores
Deck 34: Cargo Bays, Industrial Replicators, Secondary Computer Cores, Main Deflector Generators
Deck 35: Environmental Support, Waste Management, Secondary Computer Cores
Deck 36: Main Engineering, Secondary computer Cores
Deck 37: Antimatter Injection Reactors, Antimatter storage pods, Secondary computer Cores, Computer Control
Deck 38: Antimatter Storage Pods, docking section of the integrated escort starship
Deck 39: docking section of the integrated escort starship
Deck 40: docking section of the integrated escort starship
Deck 41: docking section of the integrated escort starship
Deck 42: Reserve storage pods, maintenance section of the integrated escort starship
Deck 43: Ablative armor replicating material storage compartment"