| Naquadah generator | |
|---|---|
| |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Designer |
Orbanians |
| Technical specifications | |
| Function |
Power source |
| Power source |
Naquadah |
| Usage | |
| Affiliation | |
- "A clean and safe source of power."
- — Daniel Jackson
Naquadah generators are advanced reactor units that produce tremendous amounts of clean energy from small amounts of refined Naquadah.
Naquadah generators were originally developed by the Orbanians but were later adapted and further developed by the Federation. They have since been used to power many technologies from Earth, with several variants having been created as a result of continuing advances in the technology.
Overview[]
Naquadah generators are advanced reactor units that produce tremendous amounts of clean energy from small amounts of Naquadah (a common mineral but not found in Earth's solar system). Such a reactor contains enough reactants to generate an explosion of 20 kilotons following an overload, and it has been said that it would take 30 seconds for the generator to overload. Estimating peak power in this case is difficult, since it is unknown if the liberated energies would be solely provided by the build-up phase (in which case the peak power capacity of the reactor could be estimated), or if it would be due to the reaction of all remaining Naquadah, triggered by the initial explosion from the overload.
As a result, Naquadah generators can be turned into a powerful bomb, which the Atlantis Expedition has implemented as a self-destruct mechanism for Starbase Atlantis as a safeguard from the Wraith. If such an explosion occurs, an Electromagnetic pulse is generated (similar to a nuclear explosion). Later, in 2378 the Mark II series was developed, and it is capable of achieving 600% of the power output of the Mark I; it operates in a state of barely controlled overload and is quickly depleted.
Variations[]
A Orbanian naquadah generator
Orbanian design[]
The naquadah reactor was originally developed by the Orbanian Merrin after having studied the technology for over ten years. This research ultimately resulted in a reactor module capable of producing energy from relatively small amounts of naquadah. The device itself was composed of a dark-colored metallic housing in the shape of a small rectangular prism, approximately 12 inches long with side dimensions of approximately 6 by 6 inches. This casing provides shielding against the radiation emitted by the device in its use. A dark blue light emanated from the center of the device when active. Two known components of the reactor are the carocev (a heating element) and the Fodinaire. (SG1: "Learning Curve")
Federation prototype design[]
The prototype naqahdah generator
- "Naquadah generator technology is years from practical widespread implementation."
- — Daniel Jackson in 2365
The first prototype naquadah reactor constructed by the Federation was created in 2362 by reverse engineering the Orbanian device using materials native to Earth. This device would appear, overall, visually similar to the inner workings of the Orbanian device, with a much more form-fitting outer casing of lead being used to shield against radiation, in lieu of the prism design of the original device. However, overall the device appeared to be much bulkier while still maintaining full functionality. (SG1: "Learning Curve")
A reactor of this same design would later be used on 2363 on P5S-381 to provide the power for an Enkaran city, being able to do so for up to one year before depleting. The device would later be converted into a bomb by creating a feedback loop, a process in which the energy would build up in the device instead of being released, ultimately resulting in an explosion. (SG1: "Scorched Earth")
By 2365, research and development continued toward creating viable generators capable of being mass produced with a Russian program, supervised by Dr. Rodney McKay, working in consort with a US-based program. (SG1: "48 Hours")
Mark I production model[]
A mark I naquadah generator
By 2366, after several years of further development, the Mark I model of the generator was developed. The Mark I appears visually similar to the original prototype model, though is far more streamlined and compact; it may easily be carried and transported by a single individual. Devices may be interfaced with the generator by connecting cables into ports of either end of the device.
When active, the generator becomes illuminated on both sides by a series of while lights, with small blue lights illuminating near the top of the device. A gentle and distinctive hum is also emitted. An interface is located on the top of the device between its two protruding 'arms'. The device is deactivated when the top of this interface is removed and re-inserted into the generator sideways. When deactivated, the illumination ceases, and the sides may be pushed in to render the generator more compact.
The Mark I has seen widespread uses among the Federation since its creation. Uses of the Mark I naquadah generators include:
- Powering a Stargate without a Dial Home Device on another world for interstellar dialing-out, either manually or with a dialing program installed desktop monitor. (SG1: "New Ground", "Bad Guys")
- Powering a Sovereign-class starship as a back-up energy system and for power to the life support systems. Also used for powering the quantum phasers. (Star Trek: Intrepid)
- Temporarily powering various alien devices, should their own power source be depleted. (SG1: "Ascension", "Forsaken")
- Powering the Prometheus and Daedalus-class series of warships. (SG1: "Ethon")
- A miniature mark I naquadah generator was developed to power the X-699 directed energy weapon. (SG1: "Bounty", "Continuum")
- Providing limited power for the city of Atlantis in lieu of Zero Point Modules.
- Powering a Starfleet base or outpost or starbase when the power is offline. (Star Trek: Intrepid)
- Powering Starbase Atlantis/Starbase 290 in lieu of Zero Point Modules. (Star Trek: Intrepid)
Mark II[]
- "Our tests of the Mark Two generator and the Chair in Antarctica are promising."
- — General Henry Landry
A mark II naqahdah generator
In 2378, the Mark II series of the device was developed. It is capable of achieving up to 600% of the power output of the Mark I. However, it can attain this maximum output only when operating in a state of barely controlled overload, a state which rapidly drains its power. The Mark II depleted its fuel supply very quickly, indicating its exact function was as a one-used power device. Two of these devices can power an Ancient Control chair for a limited number of uses, which normally requires a Zero Point Module to operate. (SGA: "The Siege, Part 2", "No Man's Land")
Mark III[]
By 2382 the Mark III series had been developed, which was capable of achieving double the power output of the Mark II, but no longer operating in a state of barely controlled overload; allowing for much safer usage. One of these devices was capable of operating the Ancient control chair in a battle situation for two hours before being depleted. (Star Trek: Intrepid)
Mark IV[]
- "A Mark IV, huh? That could almost power the whole city, actually."
- — Doctor Rodney McKay
In 2385, the Mark IV series of the device was developed. Just one of these devices can power an Ancient Control chair and a city-ship's shields. Perhaps even an entire city-ship, which normally requires a Zero Point Module to operate. (SGA: "Gateways 1", "Gateways 2")
This version is capable of achieving 500% the power output of the Mark III series and, while still no substitute for ZPMs, neutrino-ion generators or the Asgard power core, is fully capable of powering a ship or starbase alone in lieu of more advanced power sources. (Star Trek: Intrepid)
Mark VI[]
- "The issue is power. Activated, it'll take a Mark VI almost to overload."
- — Dr. Meredith Rodney McKay
In 2385, the Mark VI series had been developed. It is capable of generating enough power to run the McKay/Zelenka Attero device. One of these generators is also used to power life support for the Stargate hub. (Gateways 3: "Singularity 3")
History[]
In 2366, a naquadah generator was used to supply power to the ship Stromos, which had become stranded on P2A-347. (SG1: "Lifeboat")
A generator was later used to provide power to the Sebrus, which had similarly become stranded on P2X-005. (SG1: "Forsaken")
A generator was also used to power the Seberus later that year to aid it in completing the Loop of Kon Garat. (SG1: "Space Race")
In 2366, Colonel Jack O'Neill utilized a naquadah generator in modifying the Transportation rings of a Tel'tak to emit a beam capable of drilling through a mile of ice in Antarctica. (SG1: "Lost City, Part 1", "Lost City, Part 2")
A naquadah generator was furthermore present in a simulation of the SGC that Teal'c became trapped in. (SG1: "Avatar")
Later naquadah generators were sent with the Atlantis Expedition. (SGA: "Rising")
During the expedition's first year, the generators saw extensive use in the starbase. Five generators placed around the starbase, each of which powered a different section of the starbase, were used to provide limited power in lieu of a ZPM. (SGA: "The Storm", "The Eye")
A self-destruct mechanism was later developed for the city utilizing an overloaded naquadah generator in case the Wraith threatened to capture the starbase. A naquadah generator was used to lure an energy-based creature trapped in Atlantis through the Stargate. (SG1: "Hide and Seek")
An overloaded naquadah generator was utilized to generate an electromagnetic pulse in order to deactivate an infestation of nanites. (SGA: "Hide and Seek", "Hot Zone")
A naquadah generator was also used to power an Ancient Lagrangian Point satellite. (SGA: "The Siege, Part 1")
When Atlantis was attacked by the Wraith in 2380, reinforcement from Earth brought a Mark II naquadah generator to power Atlantis' Control chair. (SGA: "The Siege, Part 2")
After a ZPM was installed on Atlantis, naquadah generators functioned as a back-up energy system. Several located in the main power room further served to supplement the city's existing ZPM power. (SGA: "Critical Mass", "McKay and Mrs. Miller", "Quarantine")
In 2381, a naquadah generator was utilized by Samantha Carter in an experiment to take an entire room out of phase, using it to power Arthur's Mantle. (SG1: "The Road Not Taken")
Later, three naquadah generators were similarly used to power Arthur's Mantle in an attempt to take an entire village on P9C-882 out of phase. (SG1: "Line in the Sand")
Alternate timeline[]
- In an alternate timeline, Naquadah generators continued to gradually advance to the point where, in the 2430s, a Mark XII series of generators had been developed. These were so advanced that only one was needed to power the shield of Atlantis (which normally requires at least one Zero Point Module to function) for almost 800 years (with assistance from solar panels) after having laid dormant for 48,000 years.
Notes[]
- Naquadah generators contains enough reactants to generate an explosion of 20 kilotons following an overload, with such an overload occurring with 30 seconds. In the case of such an explosion, an Electromagnetic pulse is generated.
Gallery[]
