Quantum slipstream propulsion system

A **quantum slipstream propulsion system (QSPS)**, also known as a **quantum slipstream drive**, was a form of propulsion technology that allowed starships to break the warp speed barrier.

It was known as *trel-pilash-yeturek* in Golic Vulcan.

## Technical information

The key elements of the drive technology were the field projector and the waveform attenuators. The drive used no antimatter and was more energy-efficient than warp drives. The system operated by routing energy through the field projector to create a quantum field and then propelled a starship into a corridor through the quantum barrier. To maintain the slipstream, the phase variance of the field needed constant adjustment and these changes were then fed to the projector and the waveform attenuators. The drive allowed starships to achieve speeds exceeding 300 light years per hour. Due to the extreme processing needs of the system, a dedicated computer core was required in order to safely operate the drive for extended periods of time.

A discovery in 2410 led to the development of a more advanced drive where the attenuators would automatically cycle to the patterns in the phase variance of the slipstream corridor. Known as a cyclical quantum slipstream propulsion system (CQSPS), this drive was first introduced on those starships developed as part of Project Miracle Worker.

## History

Starfleet’s first encounter with the technology occurred when the USS *Voyager* was directed to the USS *Dauntless*, a starship supposedly constructed and sent by Starfleet to deliver the *Voyager* crew home to Federation space. A key element of the *Dauntless*’ design was its quantum slipstream drive, which supposedly offered a way for the *Voyager* crew to return home drastically faster than aboard their own vessel. In truth, the starship was a ruse by the last surviving member of Species 116 to deliver the crew to the Borg Collective to suffer the same fate as his assimilated people. The *Voyager* crew escaped with schematics for the starship and details of its quantum slipstream drive. They later attempted to develop the technology for their *Intrepid*-class vessel, but the drive proved to be too dangerous due to their limited resources.

After *Voyager's* return to Federation space, Starfleet engineers and scientists pored over the information on the *Dauntless* and its slipstream drive. The Corps of Engineers took the schematics of the starship and adapted the design into an actual starship class in order to continue testing quantum slipstream travel.

The first vessel of this new experimental class was completed in mid 2378 and held successful trial runs at the Bonneville Flats. This convinced Starfleet Command to order three more of the *Dauntless*-class in order to speed the development of the slipstream drive. The USS *Black Rock*, USS *Dolphin*, and USS *Pinckney* were all completed early the next year. To assist in keeping the project a secret, all of the vessels carried registries outside the Starfleet norm that were copied from the imposter USS *Dauntless*.

Although the four starships only ever saw experimental use, the data gathered during their service allowed Starfleet to finalize designs of the slipstream drive in time to integrate it into the *Vesta*-class design. Data gathered from the USS *Vesta* and its sister ships allowed Starfleet engineers to further improve the technology and the quantum slipstream drive became a standard in all Starfleet vessels by the 25th century.

While studying the improvements to the stability of the slipstream that were derived from the physical arrangement of the *Odyssey*-class hull, a team at Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems discovered that the variance in the quantum field shifted in a pattern. By cycling the attenuators to match the pattern, a much more stable and efficient slipstream corridor could be created. Dubbed the cyclical quantum slipstream drive, this system was first implemented in Project Miracle Worker, a multi-state effort to design and construct starships that implemented engineering innovations from the first decade of the 25th century.

Though the new cyclical drive proved viable in short-range tests, the first long-range stress test did not occur until late 2410 when the USS *ch'Vass*, a *Tucker*-class vessel, departed the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards for a run to the Jenolan Dyson Sphere. Though the mission was cut short due to the Klingon Civil War, it proved that the new cyclical quantum slipstream drive was effective in repeated and extended use.

## Appendices

### Connections

**Propulsion systems:** Impulse • **Quantum slipstream** • Subspace conduit • Warp

**Science and remote sensing systems:** Sensor

**Tactical systems:** Deflector shield • Disruptor • Dynamic Tactical System • Launch tube • Phaser (array • bank • cannon • pulse cannon • turret)

**Utility systems:** Emergency holographic program • Modular Rapid Deployment System

**Mission pods:** Equipment pod • Habitation pod • Tactical pod (Weapon pod) • Transport pod

### Sources consulted

* Quantum slipstream propulsion system article at *Memory Alpha*.
* Quantum slipstream propulsion system article at *Memory Beta*.
* Ability: Quantum Slipstream Drive article at the *Star Trek Online Wiki*.