Dilithium
The Star Trek Expanded Universe Database is for fanon and related content. See Memory-Alpha.org for the canon Star Trek wiki.
Dilithium is a rare transperiodic element in the hypersonic series, usually found in crystalline form throughout the galaxy. It is one of the key components of warp drive, regulating the flow of matter and antimatter.
Planets rich in dilithium were of very high strategic importance. Some of those worlds included Coridan, Elas, and Halka. (TOS: "Journey to Babel", "Elaan of Troyius", "Mirror, Mirror")
The Klingon and Romulan Star Empires both used prisoners to mine dilithium from Rura Penthe and Remus, respectively. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek Nemesis)
Dilithium-rich planets near the borders between galactic powers were often sources of contention. Ghioghe, in the Triangle between Federation, Klingon and Romulan space was one, as was Pharos in the Marrat Nebula. (Yesterday's Heroes; Star Trek: Early Voyages comic: "The Fires of Pharos")
Dilithium crystals were fragile things, and could crack under severe strain, such as ship-to-ship combat, or a temporal breakaway maneuver. However, Captains Spock and Montgomery Scott devised a method of recrystallizing dilithium while stranded on Earth in 1986 and by the 24th century, dilithium recrystallization had become commonplace aboard Federation starships. (TOS: "Elaan of Troyius"; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; TNG: "Family")
In the 24th century, Coleman Dynamic Industries and the Dytallix Mining Corporation were leading civilian firms in the Federation dilithium industry. (Star Trek: Pendragon)
[edit] External links
- Dilithium article at Memory Alpha, the canon Star Trek wiki.
- Dilithium article at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek wiki.
