Warp core ejection system
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
The warp core ejection system was a system aboard warp-capable vessels designed to eject the warp core in the event of a warp core breach in order to prevent the destruction of the ship.
Activation of the ejection system typically required security clearance by the chief engineer or a command officer. This tactic is generally considered to be a last ditch effort to save a ship during a crisis situation and is often unreliable at best.
In early 2372, the USS Defiant's ejection system failed after a power surge triggered a core breach. The excess power was eventually drained via the deflector array, averting the breach. (DS9: "The Visitor")
The USS Enterprise-E ejected its warp core in 2375 to seal a subspace tear created by a isolytic burst. (Star Trek: Insurrection)
USS Voyager's warp core was ejected on several occasions:
- In 2371 by B'Elanna Torres, under the influence of the consciousness of Chakotay, to prevent Voyager entering a dark-matter nebula. (VOY: "Cathexis")
- In 2374, after a stream of tachyons triggered a core overload. The core was captured by the Caatati, but later recovered. (VOY: "Day of Honor")
- The mimetic copy of Voyager was forced to eject its warp core shortly before its destruction in 2375. The ejection allows the ship to drop out of warp, but caused further damage to the already disintegrating vessel. (VOY: "Course: Oblivion")
- The Doctor as the Emergency Command Hologram had the ability to order a core ejection. In 2378, he did so in order to pay for Captain Janeway's release from the Hierarchy. (VOY: "Renaissance Man")
