Warp core

A warp core is a matter-antimatter reactor used to provide power for starships in Star Trek. Its primary purpose is to provide power for the warp drive, but "warp power" is also used to supply many other systems.

Nature

Inside a warp core, matter and antimatter are allowed to contact and annihilate each other within a magnetic containment field. Dilithium crystals are used to control the reaction, and their orientation affects the efficiency of the reaction.

Hazards

Warp cores are prone to excess reactivity, making them incredibly dangerous to operate. When operating, a warp core typically contains enough antimatter to destroy its ship if the magnetic field isolating it from the containment vessel should fail.

Safety systems, especially aboard the Galaxy-class, have been shown to be prone to failure themselves. In particular, the warp core ejection system - a last-ditch option whereby the entire core is dumped into space - has frequently been unresponsive.

Starships destroyed by Warp Core Breaches

• USS Enteprise, NCC-1701-D (Destroyed multiple times in alternate timelines, and for real in Star Trek: Generations.)