Red Matter

Red Matter is an unstable substance with distinct gravitational properties, specifically a propensity to condense into quantum singularities, first seen in the 24th century. Red matter must first be ignited for the condensation into a singularity to occur. Red matter is highly unstable and can easily be ignited by conventional methods such as heat or shock much like gun powder. A tiny amount of red matter contains enough energy to consume an entire planet.
According to the Star Trek: Countdown prequel comic book, which details the events leading up to the destruction of Romulus, red matter is an artificial substance created by the Vulcan Science Academy. It is manufactured from decalithium, a rare isotope which the Narada was equipped to mine.
The novelization of 2009's Star Trek by Alan Dean Foster states that red matter's destructive properties are magnified by intense heat and pressurization that a star or a planetary core can provide.
The Path to 2409 (β) on the Star Trek Online website states that the Vulcans had created red matter without the consultation or approval of Federation authorities, earning criticism from the board investigating the destruction of Romulus. In response the Vulcans promised to not conduct any more red matter experiments.
In ST_Deep_Space_9, Red Matter was developed by the Vulcan Science Academy with the help of T'Pok`s father Ambassador T`Karath and many others. Done without the sanctions of the Federation, the existence of the RM was discovered when Vulcan scientist T`Pir took the substance to the Orion Syndicate and sold it to a man named Vindor LaTorian. Sick in the mind, T`Pir thought it was logical that the Universe would destroy itself eventually so he would aide in the destruction to reach the time of rebuilding sooner than later. LaTorian sold the Red Matter to Khoal Pardek in 2382 which he used to destroy Qo'noS.
In December of 2383, T`Pir was apprehended by T`Pok and fellow Intelligence officer Jillian Horton. The last amounts of the leaked Red Matter was destroyed creating a blackhole that sucked Nerys Sparks and Hayden Liu into the past; as well as caused trouble for the USS Valiant in February of 2400 that resulted in the BlackDorr Maneuver.
Currently, all Red Matter has been destroyed, however the formula still exists on the highest levels of security. Romulan rebels following in Pardek`s honour are attempting to recreate the material.
A form of the substance was used in the Romulan-Cardassian War (Second) to destroy a Cardassian moon but because it was not the pure substance was unable to completely destroy the planet, only the surface structures.
Category:Weapons
Category:Non-Character Information