Deck 24, Main Engineering, Sensor Maintenance

[Cmdr. Cris Carter]

Engineering, or main engineering (Klingonese translation: reactor pit), is the location from which the ship's main power systems are controlled. Engineering is the primary assignment of engineers and chief engineers.

Engineering's primary purpose is to be the central point for control of all engineering systems aboard a starship, especially those related to propulsion and power generation. The matter/antimatter reaction chamber (also known as the warp core) is located in engineering.

Engineering can also be used as a command and control center, overriding primary centers such as the bridge or auxiliary control.

24th century starships featured a more modern approach to the engineering facility. Aboard the Galaxy-class starship, engineering was an open-plan facility, directly accessible from the corridor. Consisting of two primary levels, it housed the starship's warp core and primary engineering support systems.


The corridor bulkhead housed the master systems display. Inside the main section, the master systems display was the operational focus of the room.

Beyond this, heading towards the warp core, the chief engineer's office and several support consoles were located on the left, and the assistant chief engineer's console on the right. These formed part of the bulkhead protecting the main part of engineering from the warp core.

Access to the upper level, a circular area surrounding the warp core, could be found by a ladder on the left of the core or an elevator on the right.

[Cmdr. Cris Carter]

On Starfleet vessels, Jefferies tubes are internal maintenance conduits that are used to provide crew access to various ship's systems. In emergencies they're also used for moving around the ship if turbolifts are not functional.

Doors within the Jefferies tubes can be sealed for safety or security reasons. It should be noted that on all ship displays of internal structure Jefferies tubes are not displayed, and in some cases show no sign where they could actually fit within the ship.

During the 22nd and 23rd century, Jefferies tubes were usually referred to as access tubes, access tunnels or service chutes. It wasn't until the 24th century that their official name was firmly established.