MAIN SKELETAL STRUCTURE

	The primary spaceframe of the Galaxy class starship is fabricated 
from an interlocking series of tritanium/duranium macrofilament truss 
frames. These members average 1.27 m® in cross section, and are located an 
average of every 25 meters across the shipÕs exterior.
	Larger numbers of these trusses are located integral to the main and 
saucer impulse engine sections, the warp nacelle pylons, both saucer and 
battle sides of the docking latch interfaces, and along the centerlines of both 
hull structures. Smaller trusses, averaging 0.53m® in cross section, are 
located every five meters on average, and also provide internal supports 
within the deck and core structure of the spacecraft interior.
	This basic mechanical framework provides physical integrity to the 
vehicle while at rest. A parallel series of aluminum crystalfoam stringers are 
phase-transition bonded to the primary trusses, providing low-frequency 
vibration attenuation across the main truss structure, as well as support for 
certain utility conduits.
	Also attached to these stringers are various conformal devices built 
into the hull structure, including elements of the deflector shield grid, as well 
as subspace radio antennas, which are incorporated into the exterior skin of 
the spacecraft.

SECONDARY FRAMEWORK

	Mounted to the primary spaceframe is a secondary framework of 
microextruded terminium trusses to which the inner hull structure is directly 
attached. The secondary framework is mounted by means of 3.2 cm diameter 
x s.1 cm long semirigid polyduranide support rods, permitting a limited 
amount of mechanical isolation from the primary spaceframe for purposes of 
strain relief, plus sound and vibration isolation. Secondary spaceframe 
segments are also separated from each other (although mechanically 
attached) to permit replacement of inner hull segments and associated 
utilities infrastructure during major starbase layover.
	Structural integrity during powered flight is provided by a series of 
forcefields that reinforce the physical framework. This structural integrity 
field energy (SIF) is distributed through a network of molybdenum-jacketed 
waveguides, which in turn distribute SIF energy into ceramic-polymer 
conductive elements throughout the spaceframe. Without the structural 
integrity field, the vehicle would be unable to withstand accelerations 
greater than 7.4 m/sec® without significant deformation, or greater than 19.5 
m/sec® without unrecoverable structural damage (in other words, the 
spacecraft would sag under its own weight in EarthÕs gravity without the 
reinforcement of the SIF
	The exterior hull substrate is joined to the primary load-bearing 
trusses by means of 4.8 cm diameter electron-bonded duranium pins at 1.25 
meter intervals. These pins are slip-fitted into an insulating AGP ceramic 
fabric jacket that provides thermal insulation between the spaceframe and 
the exterior hull. The pins, jacketing, and hull segments are gamma-welded 
together.  Æ