Self-Destruct

[Nickswitz]

Why is it that self destruct blows up the bridge first.

As seen in TSFS, Enterprise self destruct

[Captain Seafort]

On the Connie, a lot of computer systems seemed to be built into the bridge itself, rather than simply being linked to the main core. It would therefore make sense to have packets set specifically to destroy those components before the main change went.

[Nickswitz]

Ok, that would make sense, thanks.

[Sionnach Glic]

Aye, it would ensure the computers' destruction. Otherwise, it's conceivable that the bridge might be flung clear of the blast as the ship is torn apart, leading to the computers (and all the information within them) remaining intact.

[kostmayer]

The self destruct in TSFS didn't seem that effective - half of the Enterprise seemed to survive, and was only destroyed because it entered Genesis's atmosphere.

Still, deaded all the Klingons in a hurry.

[Mikey]

As Seafort alluded to, complete vaporization of the ship isn't what's important - destruction of the sensitive material is.

[Sionnach Glic]

Aye. Just blow up enough that they can get nothing useful from the ship. Technicaly the entire hull could remain intact and the ship would still be utterly useless to the enemy. The ship just becomes one more hunk of metal floating through space.

[Nickswitz]

So couldn't they do a whole system wipe and it would do the same thing?

[Captain Seafort]

So couldn't they do a whole system wipe and it would do the same thing?

No - the only reliable way to ensure the destruction of all data on a system is to physically destroy the hardware.

[Nickswitz]

Fair enough, It seemed to have worked, I mean the Klingons only lost things...

[Mikey]

So couldn't they do a whole system wipe and it would do the same thing?

No - the only reliable way to ensure the destruction of all data on a system is to physically destroy the hardware.

In addition, you're at the same time denying the enemy a material asset.

[Nickswitz]

That as well, yeah.

[Graham Kennedy]

The self destruct in TSFS didn't seem that effective - half of the Enterprise seemed to survive, and was only destroyed because it entered Genesis's atmosphere.

Still, deaded all the Klingons in a hurry.

Rumour has it that there are two destruct modes. Kirk specified "Destruct zero", which is a low level destruct; it detonates various explosive charges in key areas around the ship. Had he specified "destruct one" it would have detonated the antimatter fuel pods, resulting in a vastly larger explosion.

Non canon, but it's intended to explain why ST III showed a fairly minor bang when TMP indicated that a M/Am reaction would easily destroy the ~100 km long V'Ger.

[Lazar]

Rumour has it that there are two destruct modes. Kirk specified "Destruct zero", which is a low level destruct; it detonates various explosive charges in key areas around the ship. Had he specified "destruct one" it would have detonated the antimatter fuel pods, resulting in a vastly larger explosion.

Hmm, that makes a lot of sense. I had always wondered why the destruct sequence in STIII left the hull mostly intact, when total obliteration would have seemed possible.

[Aaron]

Rumour has it that there are two destruct modes. Kirk specified "Destruct zero", which is a low level destruct; it detonates various explosive charges in key areas around the ship. Had he specified "destruct one" it would have detonated the antimatter fuel pods, resulting in a vastly larger explosion.

Non canon, but it's intended to explain why ST III showed a fairly minor bang when TMP indicated that a M/Am reaction would easily destroy the ~100 km long V'Ger.

That was in the old Mr Scott's Guide To The Enterprise tech book, I should go see if I still have it.