4.14 Bussard Ramscoop Fuel Replenishment

In the event a deuterium tanker cannot reach a starship, the capability exists to pull low-grade matter from the interstellar medium through a series of specialized high-energy magnetic coils known collectively as a Bussard ramscoop. Named for the 20th century physicist and mathematician Robert W. Bussard, the ramscoop emanates directional ionizing radiation and a shaped magnetic field to attract and compress the tenuous gas found within the galaxy. From this gas, which possesses an average density of one atom per cubic centimeter, may be distilled small amount of deuterium for contingency replenishment of the matter supply. At high relativistic speeds, this has accumulation can be appreciable, though the technique is not recommended for long periods for time-dilation reasons. At warp velocities, however, extended emergency supplies can be gathered. While matching supplies of quantite cannot be recovered from space in this manner, it may be mined. It is an accepted fact that a starship in distress will continue to deplete its energy supplies; however, systems such as this have been included to afford at least a small additional chance at survival.

A Bussard collector can be found at the forward end of each warp engine nacelle. It consists of three main assemblies, an ionizing beam emitter, magnetic field generator\collector and continuous cycle fractionators. The curved nacelle end cap, the largest single-cast structure of the spacecraft, is formed from reinforced tritanium cobalt-steel and is transparent to a narrow range of ionizing energies produced by the emitter. It is the function of the emitter to impart a charge to neutral particles in space for collection by the magnetic field. At warp velocities, the ionizing energies are transitioned into subspace frequencies so that the beam components can project out ahead of the starship, decay to their normal states and produce the desired effect.

Behind and supporting the end cap is the MFC\G, a compact set of six coils designed to cast a magnetic net ahead of the ship and pull in the charged particles toward the intake grills. These coils are constructed from cobalt-samarium-praseodymium-cobalt-boronite and obtain their power from either the PTC`s directly, or the general EPS system. At sublight velocities, the coils sweep forward normally. At warp velocities, however, the coil operation is reversed to slow down the incoming matter. This system works in close connection with the main deflector. In normal operation, of course, the job of the deflector and MFC\G to permit usable amounts of rarified gas through.

Tucked within the MFC\G is the CCF, which continuously separates the incoming gas into different grades of matter considered burnable within the warp engine. The separated gases are compressed, and pressure-fed to holding tanks within the lower section.