Mercury Overview and Statistics
| USS Mercury | ||
|---|---|---|
 INACTIVE STATUS | ||
| ||
The Oracle class starship has been designed to be on the cutting edge of scientific research and exploration, and is equipped to handle extended missions without the need to return to starbase for refuel or repair. The ventral section of the hull is host to a large sensor module, the next step in the evolution of the Nebula-class sensor sail, which has been designed with a highly sensitive transpectral array for maximum sensitivity across a range of specifications. In many ways, this new sensor system was the focus of the ship’s design, making the Oracle class starship ideal for gathering and processing data on spatial anomalies, stellar cartography, and further in-depth scans of previously discovered worlds.
In the current galactic political climate, however, the sensitivity of the Oracle's sensor systems has not gone unnoticed by Starfleet’s Security and Intelligence departments. Enhanced range and clarity of sensor data provides an opportunity for an early-warning system in sensitive sectors, as well as the ideal scouting platform during emergency situations and inter-species conflicts. However, this is very much a secondary concern, and the Oracle class is built purely as a science vessel with limited offensive capabilities. Its six type-IX phasers are nothing more than standard issue, and the class is limited to two torpedo tubes, one fore and one aft, primarily designed for the launching of probes.
Mission Objectives
Pursuant to Starfleet Exploration Directives 1016.8 & 901.12, Federation Diplomatic Corps Mandate 66.105.b, 66.105.c & 200.2.2, and Federation Security Council General Policy, the following objectives have been established for an Oracle Class Starship:
- Provide a platform for extended scientific survey, scouting and exploration missions.
- Replace the Oberth for long range missions, stellar cartography, and detailed scientific study.
- Provide autonomous capability for full execution of Federation cultural, scientific, intelligence and explorative policy in deep space or border territory. Provide limited execution of Federation defensive policy in the same circumstances.
- Serve as a support vehicle during emergencies and a platform for the extension of Federation diplomacy and policy.
- Provide diplomatic support in border territories and, where necessary, work as the eyes and ears of a task force through use of the Oracle sensor module.
Design Statistics
- Length: 580 meters
- Width: 205 meters
- Height: 155 meters
- Cargo capacity: Variable dependant on mission type; cargo bays customisable to transport volatile or unstable substances as required for scientific missions.
- Hull: Duranium/Tritanium composite
- Number of Decks: 30 Total
DITL: Strength Calculator
- Affiliation: Federation Oracle Class
- Beam Weapon Output: 7500 TeraWatts (Six Type IX Phaser Emitters)
- Torpedo Tubes: 2 Pulse-fire Photon Torpedo Tubes
- Weapons Range/Accuracy: 350
- Shield Capacity: 900000 TeraJoules
- Hull/Armour: Standard Duranium/Tritanium Single Hull
- 1cm Anti-phaser coating armour
- Standard Structural Integrity Field
- Maximum Warp Factor: 9.97 (TNG)
- Combat Manoeuvrability: 9000
- Overall Strength: 494.025
Sensor Module
The sensor module, which comprises decks 24-30 of the Oracle class includes a considerable number of Scientific laboratories as well as the Oracle sensor array. While the module is not designed to be separated from the rest of the ship, it can be sealed off if necessary in case of extreme quarantine procedure.
Tactical Systems
Phasers
- Phaser Array Arrangement: Dorsal saucer section is covered by four phaser strips; two of which are arranged in an arc along the forward section of the main hull, the other two in linear strips above the main arc. Two more emitters are located on the ventral section of the main hull, which extend further towards the aft of the ship to cover the aft firing arc.
Phaser Array Type: Unlike other contemporary starships such as the Sovereign- and Vesta-classes, which use the most recent Type-XII, the Oracle is equipped with Type-IX phaser emitters. Each array fires a steady beam of phaser energy, and the forced-focus emitters discharge the phasers at speeds approaching .986c (which works out to about 182,520 miles per second - nearly warp one). The phaser array automatically rotates phaser frequency and attempts to lock onto the frequency and phase of a threat vehicle's shields for shield penetration.
- Phaser Array Output: Each phaser array takes its energy directly from the impulse drive and auxiliary fusion generators. Individually, each Type-IX emitter can only discharge approximately 6.0 MW (megawatts). However, several emitters (usually two) fire at once in the array during standard firing procedures, resulting in a discharge approximately 12 MW.
- Phaser Array Range: Maximum effective range is 300,000 kilometers.
- Primary purpose: Drilling/Dispersion of asteroids
- Secondary purpose: Defense/Anti-Spacecraft
Torpedo Launchers
- Arrangement: Two pulse-fire torpedo launchers, One fore, and one aft. Torpedo tubes one is located on the fore section of the strut that connects the main hull to the sensor module, on deck 21; torpedo tube two is located on the aft section of the same deck. Designed primarily for a vehicle through which probes can be launched, the torpedo tubes are equipped with a pulse-fire function that allows small volleys of four photon torpedoes to be fired in one volley, although this comes with a three minute reload time.
- Type: Type-6, Mark-XXV photon torpedo, capable of pattern firing (sierra, etc.) as well as independent launch. Independent targeting once launched from the ship, detonation on contact unless otherwise directed by the ship. No quantum torpedoes are carried aboard, as these are unnecessary for scientific, diplomatic or even intelligence-based missions.
- Payload: The Oracle Class can carry a maximum of 60 torpedo casings with at least 20 of them geared as probe casings at any one time.
- Range: Maximum effective range is 3,500,000 kilometers.
- Primary purpose: Probes
- Secondary purpose: Anti-Spacecraft
Deflector Shields
- Type: Symmetrical occilating subspace graviton field. This type of shield is similar to those of most other starships. Other than incorporating the now mandatory nutational shift in frequency, the shields alter their graviton polarity to better deal with more powerful weapons and sophisticated weaponry (including Dominion, Breen, and Borg systems).
During combat, the shield sends data on what type of weapon is being used on it, and what frequency and phase the weapon uses. Once the tactical officer analyzes this, the shield can be configured to have the same frequency as the incoming weapon - but different nutation. This tactic dramatically increases shield efficiency.
- Output: There are 24 shield grids on the Oracle class and each one generates 37500TJ, resulting in total shield strength of 900000TJ. The power for the shields is taken directly from the warp engines and impulse fusion generators. If desired, the shields can be augmented by power from the impulse power plants. The shields can protect against approximately 42% of the total EM spectrum (whereas a Galaxy class Starship's shields can only protect against about 23%), made possible by the multi-phase graviton polarity flux technology incorporated into the shields.
- Range: The shields, when raised, maintain an average range is 30 meters away from the hull.
- Primary purpose: Defense from hazardous radiation and space-borne particulates.
- Secondary purpose: Defense from enemy threat forces
Propulsion Systems
Warp Propulsion System
- Type: Standard Matter/Antimatter Reaction Assembly (M/ARA)
- Normal Cruising Speed: Warp 7
- Maximum Cruising Speed: Warp 9.97 for 6 hours
The Oracle class has two nacelles, which are located at the aft section of the vessel and connected to the main hull by small horizontal pylons.
Impulse Propulsion System
- Type: Standard fusion-powered impulse engines. Full impulse is considered to be 0.25c (one quarter light speed)
Reaction Control System
- Type: Standard Version 3 magneto-hydrodynamic gas-fusion thrusters.
- Output: Each thruster quad can produce 3.9 million Newtons of exhaust.
Communications
- Standard Communications Range: 30,000 - 90,000 kilometers
- Standard Data Transmission Speed: 18.5 kiloquads per second
- Subspace Communications Speed: Warp 9.9997