Ferric oxide

Ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃), commonly known as rust, was a compound made up of high levels of corroded iron particles.

When the landing party from Enterprise NX-01 searched the colony on Terra Nova for any sign on the whereabout of the colonists, Sub-commander T'Pol stated that there was no sign of weapons fire, only rust. (ENT: "Terra Nova")

In 2371, the crew of USS Voyager detected this compound in open space while traversing the Delta Quadrant. Its detection raised the question, from Captain Janeway, "how could iron rust in space without oxygen?"

Unable to determine an answer, they decided to follow the "trail of rust" to determine its source, which led them to the discovery of complex hydrocarbons in the rust, notably benzene, ethylene, and acetylene, the components of gasoline. Once located, the source was discovered to be a 1936 Ford truck, formerly belonging to an Ohio farmer. (VOY: "The 37's")

When presented with the idea of traveling back to the 20th century aboard the HMS Bounty, Leonard McCoy asked James T. Kirk if he was "really going to try this time travel in this rust bucket?" (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

Any skill which one had not put into use for some time could be called rusty. In 2259 of the alternate reality, Nyota Uhura, described her Klingonese as being rusty, but good. (Star Trek Into Darkness)

During his ten years marooned on Ysida, Chakotay had a Runaway which became rusted and eventually broke down. The vehicle was later repaired by Jankom Pog. (PRO: "Last Flight of the Protostar, Part I")

After ten years marooned on Ysida in a nearly powerless state, the USS Protostar became rusted, weathered and dilapidated. After launching the ship into space, the crew repaired the damage, restoring the Protostar to its original appearance. (PRO: "The Devourer of All Things, Part II", "Last Flight of the Protostar, Part I", "Last Flight of the Protostar, Part II", "A Tribble Called Quest")

External links

• Ferric oxide at Wikipedia
• Rust at Wikipedia