Baffle plate

The Baffle Plate was a component found in many starships in the 23rd and 24th centuries. The baffle plate was part of the warp drive systems. A warped or ruptured plate could cause a warp core breach, or flood parts of the ship with radiation.

In 2266 young Charlie Evans used his telekinetic powers to remove the baffle plate on the USS Antares, this caused the ship to explode. (TOS episode Charlie X).

Also in late 2266, on board a J class training ship, the baffle plate ruptured. Because of the location of the blast doors - which was considered to be one of the design flaws in that type of ship - a good portion of the ship was flooded with delta radiation. Fleet Captain Christopher Pike entered the contaminated section and pulled out a number of the crew before suffering irreparable damage himself. (TOS episode The Menagerie, Part I and novel Burning Dreams).

In the 24th century, the baffle plate was one of the components removed from the SS Santa Maria after crash landing on Orellius Minor in 2360. (DS9 episode Paradise).

Baffle plates were still part of Galaxy class starships in the 24th century. In 2368 the USS Venture's Chief Engineer Logan discovered a baffle plate malfunction on board the Venture, and the ship subsequently docked at Luxor IV for repairs. (TNG novel The Devil's Heart).