Tri-cobalt torpedo and Tycho City: Difference between pages

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The '''tri-cobalt warhead''' is a high yield subspace device used for large scale destruction of stationary targets such as space stations.  
'''Tycho City''' is located on [[Luna|Earth's Moon]] and is one of the [[Lunar colonies]]. The city has self-contained atmosphere and artificial gravity to [[Earth]] standard. The city was named for Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe.


Although the [[Federation]] is banned from using subspace weapons by the [[Khitomer Accords]], [[Starfleet]] vessels do carry tri-cobalt devices occasionally. In 2371, the USS ''Voyager'' used two of them to destroy the Caretaker's array in order to prevent it from falling into the hands of the [[Kazon]]. The Starfleet weapon has a programmable yield which can reach 20,000 Teracochranes, more than enough to destroy even a large station like the Caretaker's array.
Established on the edge of Tycho Crater in the latter years of the 21st century, Tycho City is the oldest settlement on Luna, home to some two million colonists. Graviton generators in the city's limits keep the local architecture similar to that of Earth, but outside the city limits Luna's low gravity allows genetically altered plant species to grow to gigantic size, including 20-meter-tall trees along the shore of Lake Armstrong. Walking tours through Tycho City's historic neighborhoods, easily the finest example of late 21st century astroarchitecture, are a popular tourist destination.


During the initial scare in System J-25 with the [[Borg]], one of [[Starfleet]]'s many projects was the tri-colbalt device. It was the predecessor of the [[quantum torpedo]] but in effect had 10 times the destructive capability. Again, this project used three of the most powerful explosives know to Starfleet, namely, tri-cobalt, [[antimatter]] and quantum filaments. As mentioned elsewhere, the quantum torpedo creates and uses quantum filaments that arc out over the target's hull, ripping it to shreds. However, the principle utilised in the tri-cobalt device differs from this. Tri-cobalt is normally a reasonable stable compound unless it is broken down at the molecular level. In the past, Starfleet had tried to use it as an explosive but failed due to impractical methods. With the discovery of artifical quantum filaments, though, this situation changed drastically.
By 2373, it was large enough to be seen from [[Earth]] at daytime, since [[Commander]] William Riker missed the familiar sight of the city, while looking at the Moon during his mission to the year 2063. (''Star Trek: First Contact'')


The design of the tri-cobalt device is highly unique in the [[Alpha Quadrant]]. It uses a three-tier warhead. One compartment is loaded with antimatter, one with around 200 quantum filaments and an appropriate amount of tri-cobalt. Upon impact, a number of things happen inside the warhead. First, the quantum filaments are released into the tri-cobalt chamber, creating a cascade reaction, mixing the tri-cobalt into a highly volatile mixture. A millisecond later the magnetic containment field around the antimatter is released and the active tri-cobalt and anti-hydrogen mix together to create a lethal explosion. The weapon is capable of disabling [[starship]]s with one blow, as Starfleet unfortunatly found out. Initial testing of the weapon took place just before [[Battle of Wolf 359|Wolf 359]]. Designers were panicked and rushing the project through under Starfleet's hasty gaze. The USS ''Keel'', an [[Excelsior class]] ship, was the test vessel. The first few barrages in the astroid field in the [[Earth|Terran]] system proved to be massively sucessful. However, in the final day of testing an accident occurred. One of the devices lodged itself in its lauching tube and the warhead went critical. The resultant explosion tore the saucer section clean off the ''Keel'' and the minutes later the [[warp core]] in the drive section went critical. A total of 40 lives were lost in the accident and only weeks later the battle at Wolf 359 occurred.
==Lake Armstrong==
The lake, formed from lunar and imported water, fills much of the former Tycho crater. It is the largest body of water on Luna, clearly visible from Earth's surface. The surface of the lake is a popular site for water sports and activities. Swimming is particularly easy in the low lunar gravity, and is popular with colonists. The lake was named for [[human]] Neil Armstrong - the first person to walk on the moon.


Designers eventually figured out what had gone wrong. The tri-cobalt device was in theory much heavier than a standard [[photon torpedo]], and although the designers had taken this into account when modifying the lauching tubes on the ''Keel'', they had not been sufficient. After the disaster at Wolf 359, Starfleet was still interested in using the tri-cobalt device on starships. Quantum torpedoes were now in development but the sheer destructive capability of the weapon was seen as a possible defence against the Borg, whose vessels were very large targets. The designers took the launching system back to the drawing board and eventually came up with a highly safe system. From that point on, Starfleet ordered all new ships to be fitted with this kind of launching system and a steady retrofitting of the defensive capabilities of the other ships in the fleet, such as the USS ''Lakota''.
==The Lunadrome==
A state-of-the-art athletic stadium this has been the site of several Federation-wide competitions, as well as Earth's Olympics (revived in 2115). We encourage visitors to Luna to enjoy one of the many sporting events hosted at the Lunadrome.


* The information above is taken from the [http://www.ditl.org Daystrom Institute Technical Library] and the DS9 Technical Manual.
==Reference(s)==
[[Category:Technology]][[Category:Weapon]][[Category:Projectile weapon]][[Category:Ship weapon]]
*Isaacs, Ross A., et al. ''A Cadet's Guide to Sector 001'', New York: Last Unicorn Games, 1999.  
 
[[Category:Location]]

Revision as of 06:46, 21 December 2014

Tycho City is located on Earth's Moon and is one of the Lunar colonies. The city has self-contained atmosphere and artificial gravity to Earth standard. The city was named for Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe.

Established on the edge of Tycho Crater in the latter years of the 21st century, Tycho City is the oldest settlement on Luna, home to some two million colonists. Graviton generators in the city's limits keep the local architecture similar to that of Earth, but outside the city limits Luna's low gravity allows genetically altered plant species to grow to gigantic size, including 20-meter-tall trees along the shore of Lake Armstrong. Walking tours through Tycho City's historic neighborhoods, easily the finest example of late 21st century astroarchitecture, are a popular tourist destination.

By 2373, it was large enough to be seen from Earth at daytime, since Commander William Riker missed the familiar sight of the city, while looking at the Moon during his mission to the year 2063. (Star Trek: First Contact)

Lake Armstrong

The lake, formed from lunar and imported water, fills much of the former Tycho crater. It is the largest body of water on Luna, clearly visible from Earth's surface. The surface of the lake is a popular site for water sports and activities. Swimming is particularly easy in the low lunar gravity, and is popular with colonists. The lake was named for human Neil Armstrong - the first person to walk on the moon.

The Lunadrome

A state-of-the-art athletic stadium this has been the site of several Federation-wide competitions, as well as Earth's Olympics (revived in 2115). We encourage visitors to Luna to enjoy one of the many sporting events hosted at the Lunadrome.

Reference(s)

  • Isaacs, Ross A., et al. A Cadet's Guide to Sector 001, New York: Last Unicorn Games, 1999.
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