Tritanium (symbol Tn) is a chemical element, atomic number 126 on the periodic table.
Characteristics and history[]
Tritanium, in its most stable form, has an atomic mass of 323, and was discovered by Humans and the Federation for the first time on planet Argus X on stardate 2261, in the early 23rd century. This element is part of the trans-uranic series of heavy elements. (ST reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual).
Tritanium was of note to Federation science because of qualities as a strong metal when used in alloys and compounds. In ore could be found on many worlds, including discovery site Argus X. (ST reference: The Star Trek Encyclopedia; TOS episode & novelization: Obsession)
Tritanium is 21.4 times as hard as steel. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)
Refined tritanium was used by many races and cultures for construction purposes. For example, the Federation and the Axanarri used tritanium for the hulls of starships while Cardassians used it in the construction of planetary facilities. (TNG episode: "Where Silence Has Lease"; VOY episode: "Repentance"; ENT episode: "Fight or Flight"; DS9 novel: Devil in the Sky)
The Klingons also use tritanium aboard their Vor'cha-class starships. (DS9 episode: "Dramatis Personae")
Tritanium and tritanium compounds are also used for certain projectile weapons, such as the TR-116 rifle which was in development by Starfleet in the late 24th century. (DS9 episode: "Field of Fire")
Tritanium in ship construction requires care for optimal living conditions. In 2284, Torias Dax smelled that the the crew of USS Excelsior had recently scrubbed the ship's tritanium fixtures when he came aboard. (DS9 - The Lives of Dax short story: "Infinity")
In the 23rd century, the Federation obtained tritanium from a variety of sources across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, including the mining facility on Angrena. (TOS - Star Trek: The Manga - Uchu comic: "Art of War") It was also mined on Hus-24. (TOS comic: "Husian Gambit")
Raw tritanium ore emitted a type of radiation that interfered with communications. (TOS - Star Trek: The Manga - Uchu comic: "Art of War")
In 2365, the Cardassians found a probable tritanium deposit in Bajor's Musilla Province. (ST - Terok Nor novel: Dawn of the Eagles)
The Xawe used tritanium in the hulls of their ships, such as the Gift of Flight. (DS9 novel: Proud Helios)
Tritanium deposits[]
A number of star systems have deposits of tritanium suitable for mining. (ST video game: Fleet Command)
- Collep • Donfo • Dyrr • Eral • Eravan • Fostaa • Friefra • Grenfil • Honsao • Imgra • Jinnia • Kito • Oppidum • Palimer • Utoqa • Volta • Weh • Whinuul • Xerxes • Zamam
In addition, some systems have significant desposits of both parsteel and tritanium. (ST video game: Fleet Command)
- Aciben • Araiza • Atreig • Bazamex • Bharani • Bubeau • Dalukerinborva • Dauouuy • Dle'greffo • Eagutim • Eizeb • Freyda • Foaiveb • Gelvin • Godui • Gowok • Gra • H'ganrem • Helvetios • Iocau • Ione • Jonauer • Kaus Australis • Kaus Borealis • Kaus Media • Kosz • Laidcenn • Laija • Madra • Mapic • Medua • Mewudoh • Nipaj • Ocus • Oltomon • Ore Leraa • Posel • Pune • Ragnarr • Rakkaus • Rooth • Rosec • Skyedark • Strezhi • Tiwoqua • Todem • Tufem • Vemet • Wasat • Wauoxic • Wezen • Worhundelja • Xabek • Zadiaoo • Zeta Polis • Zhang
See also[]
Appendices[]
Background[]
In real-life science, element 126 has yet to be discovered. A placeholder name based on its number, "unbihexium", has been suggested to document the possible existence of this substance. Some models of theoretical science have stated that heavy elements on this scale may be impossible to synthesize or reproduce, and cannot exist in nature. Subspace science mentioned in Star Trek may account for the contradiction of this being a natural resource on other worlds.
References[]
- TOS episode: "Obsession"
- ST references: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual, The Star Trek Encyclopedia, The Starfleet Survival Guide, Science Logs, USS Enterprise Owners' Workshop Manual
- TNG episode: "Where Silence Has Lease"
- VOY episode: "Repentance"
- DS9 episodes: "Dramatis Personae", "In the Hands of the Prophets", "Field of Fire", "Business as Usual"
- ENT episode: "Fight or Flight"
- DS9 novels: Proud Helios, Devil in the Sky
- DS9 - The Lives of Dax short story: "Infinity", "The Music Between the Notes"
- TOS - Star Trek: The Manga - Uchu comic: "Art of War"
- TLE - Terok Nor novel: Dawn of the Eagles
- ST - A Time to... novel: A Time to Be Born
- TOS novel: To Reign in Hell: The Exile of Khan Noonien Singh
- Decipher RPG module: Starfleet Operations Manual
- SCE - What's Past short story: "Distant Early Warning"
- TOS comic: "The Long Night's Dawn!"
- STA novel: Three
- TNG novels: Infiltrator, Losing the Peace, Indistinguishable from Magic
- TNG - TLE novel: The Buried Age
- DS9 reference: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual
- DS9 novel: The Pet
- FASA RPG - The Orions module: Book of Common Knowledge
- TNG - Ill Wind comic:[citation needed]
- TOS - Echoes and Refractions novel: The Chimes at Midnight
- VOY novels: Full Circle, Unworthy
- TTN novel: Synthesis
- ST video game: Elite Force II
- TNG video game: A Final Unity
- Last Unicorn RPG module: All Our Yesterdays: The Time Travel Sourcebook
- ST - Seven Deadly Sins short story: "Work Is Hard"
- DTI novel: Watching the Clock
- TOS comic: "Husian Gambit"
External links[]
- Tritanium article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Unbihexium article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.