Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!richl From: richl@tektronix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.startrek Subject: Re: Self-Destruct Message-ID: <1195@tektroni.UUCP> Date: Wed, 29-Jun-83 00:21:26 EDT Article-I.D.: tektroni.1195 Posted: Wed Jun 29 00:21:26 1983 Date-Received: Mon, 27-Jun-83 14:15:37 EDT Lines: 14 Self destruct has been described in various ways with various effects, but I think the general idea is NOT to allow the anti-matter and matter come together but rather to allow the reactor mechanism (however it is set up) to overheat. I recall in "The Doomsday Machine" when Kirk was going to blow up the Constellation, he asked Scotty how much explosive power a starship can supply when it "goes critical". This is a term that seems to imply a reactor of some type. Also, Scotty's response (97.8 megatons, I believe) would not be indicative of a matter:anti-matter reaction, which, I am led to believe by my physics learning, releases a GREAT DEAL of energy. Rick Lindsley tektronix!richl richl@tektronix