A radiation shield was a physical structure that provided a defense from radiation exposure. A force field could provide supplemental protection.
Starfleet regulation SFRA-standard 354.32(c, d) required doubly-redundant electromagnetic, subspace, and nuclear radiation protection in habitable areas of space stations such as Deep Space 9. (DS9 reference: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)
Components[]
In less advanced starships, such as Talarian Republic freighters, large water tanks served as low-capability radiation shields. If nothing better was available, concrete, lead, or solid rock could be used successfully. (Adventures RPG module: Alpha Quadrant Sourcebook; TOS novel: Mutiny on the Enterprise)
The Fabrini's Yonada used a lining made of kelbonite and victurium, which also partly blocked sensors and transporters. (TOS novel: Ex Machina)
In the 23rd century, durallium was a key component of radiation shields in the Federation and Klingon Empire. A type of radiation-proof glass protected portions of a Constitution-class starship's reactor room. (FASA RPG module: An Imbalance of Power; TOS novelization: The Wrath of Khan)
A transparent aluminum panel in Starfleet transporter rooms of the 2270s and 2280s blocked transporter radiations. (TOS reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise)
24th century[]
In the 24th century, far more effective photoclastic materials allowed shields to be ten times less thick. (SCE eBook: Identity Crisis)
Second-stage EPS conduits were made of toranium/durmanite that served as a radiation shield to conduit energy flow.
Cardassian hull plating contained a layer of polycrystalline ferric diallosilicate infused with carbon-60 macrochains which trapped both subspace radiation and EM radiation. (DS9 reference: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)
Federation hull plating, such as on Galaxy-class starships, diffused radiation by including a 4.2 centimeter thick layer of monocrystal beryllium silicate infused with semiferrous polycarbonate whiskers. (TNG reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual)
Uses[]
In clothing[]
- Body armor (DS9 - Rebels novel: The Liberated)
- Orbital skydiving suits contained a radiation shield. By the 2270s, Federation suits were sufficiently capable not to require secondary protection via a layer of induction plasma fashioned within a force field. (TOS novel: Captain's Peril)
- Starfleet engineering suit (FASA RPG module: Star Trek III Sourcebook Update, TOS reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise)
Around power plants[]
- Atomic reactor (TOS novel: Mutiny on the Enterprise)
- Fusion reactor (FASA RPG modules: Witness for the Defense, Again, Troublesome Tribbles)
- Intermix chamber (TOS reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise)
- Warp core (FASA RPG module: An Imbalance of Power)
- Warp nacelle (TAS - Log One novelization: Beyond the Farthest Star)
Other uses[]
- Genetic engineering laboratory (FASA RPG - Adventure Book module: Again, Troublesome Tribbles)
- Hull plating (TNG reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, DS9 reference: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, TOS novels: Death Count, Traitor Winds)
- Medical isolation chamber (TOS novel: Demons)
Limitations[]
Early spacecraft, such as 20th century Apollo program lunar modules, had little in the way of radiation shields. (TOS novel: Prime Directive)
In aging generation ships, radiation shields deteriorated. Shields around power generators could leak radiation when reactor output increased. Shielding within a ship's hull could also become compromised over time. (TNG novel: The Peacekeepers; TOS comic: "The Savage Within")
Radiation shields aboard a 500-year-old artificial asteroid in the Ludugia system did not screen chroniton emissions. (SCE eBook: Buying Time)
Nuclear reactors in the 20th century leaked high-energy photons. (TOS episode, novelization & comic adaptation: The Voyage Home)
In 2270, spiroid epsilon radiation from Terratin caused unusual energy fluctuations in the USS Enterprise's radiation shields. Chief engineer Montgomery Scott placed secondary deflector shields around the warp nacelles, but the radiation still got through, affecting ship's personnel. (TAS - Log Four novelization: The Terratin Incident)
In the 23rd century, while inside the plasma bridge between binary stars, a starship's radiation shields became ineffective after 20 minutes of exposure. (TOS novel: The Ashes of Eden)
In the 24th century, a single layer of radiation shielding in body armor was insufficient protection from a neutron bomb blast. (DS9 - Rebels novel: The Liberated)
Emergency uses[]
In 2269, when the core hatch jammed atop Scott in engineering, Captain James T. Kirk asked if an emergency radiation shield could be rigged. (TAS - Log One novelization: Beyond the Farthest Star)
By November 2279, Mestiko's government had launched a network of satellites to act as a planetary radiation shield, but were unable to make it work. (TOS - Mere Anarchy novel: The Darkness Drops Again)
Radiation-shielded bulkheads lowered between the intermix chamber and engineering on a refit Constitution-class starship in emergency situations such as a hull breach during combat. (TOS reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise, TOS movie, novelization & comic adaptation: The Wrath of Khan)
In 2376, Sonya Gomez set up radiation shields in the auxiliary control room aboard an Allurian starship as part of emergency repairs. (SCE eBook: Bitter Medicine)
Appendices[]
References[]
- TAS - Log One novelization: Beyond the Farthest Star
- TAS - Log Four novelization: The Terratin Incident
- TOS movie, novelization & comic adaptation: The Wrath of Khan
- TOS comic: "The Savage Within"
- FASA RPG module: Witness for the Defense
- TOS novel: Mutiny on the Enterprise
- FASA RPG - Adventure Book module: Again, Troublesome Tribbles
- FASA RPG module: Star Trek III Sourcebook Update
- TOS reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise
- FASA RPG module: An Imbalance of Power
- TOS novel: Demons
- TOS episode, novelization & comic adaptation: The Voyage Home
- TNG novel: The Peacekeepers
- TOS novel: Prime Directive
- TNG reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual
- TOS novel: Death Count
- TOS novel: Traitor Winds
- TOS novel: The Ashes of Eden
- DS9 reference: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual
- DS9 - Rebels novel: The Liberated
- VOY novel: Battle Lines
- TOS - New Earth novel: Rough Trails
- TOS novel: Captain's Peril
- SCE eBook: Buying Time
- SCE eBook: Bitter Medicine
- TOS novel: Ex Machina
- SCE eBook: Identity Crisis
- TOS - Mere Anarchy novel: The Darkness Drops Again
- TOS novel: The Children of Kings
- Adventures RPG module: Alpha Quadrant Sourcebook