Reactor
A Reactor is a device which generates Fusion Power. Fusion power is the power generated by nuclear fusion reactions. In this kind of reaction, two light atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus and in doing so, release a large amount of energy. In a more general sense, the term can also refer to the production of net usable power from a fusion source, similar to the usage of the term "steam power." Most design studies for fusion power plants involve using the fusion reactions to create heat, which is then used to operate a steam turbine, which drives generators to produce electricity.
Federation reactors, utilize a Matter / Antimatter reaction to generate the massive amounts of thermonuclear energy needed for most large scale power supply needs. This energy is collected as Plasma and is then shunted through a series of conduit s to the points of consumption.
Both Starships and Starbases use these systems within the Federation. On a federation Starship, they are further supplemented through the use of more standardized fusion-able materials to power Impulse Engines and other ship's system when the Warp Drive is off-line or has failed.
In 2414, during an infestation of Vexarak Spoilers, Starbase 989 suffered catastrophic damage to her power relay systems near her reactor. Engineers from the USS Boudicca and the USS Rosenante conducted repairs and managed to bring them back on-line restoring the power to the starbase.
