Self destruct

The Auto-destruct (or Self-destruct or Destruct Sequence) system allows for the complete destruction of a starship or installation.

Auto-destruct is usually done as a last resort, to prevent the capture of technology by foreign forces, or in the case of Federation ships, to prevent the technology from falling into the hands of those protected by the Prime Directive. In the space forces of the Federation and many galatic powers, it is an accepted fact of life that this sacrifice may need to be made for these reasons.