IT'S the owners' manual that any self-respecting starship engineer in the year 2151 wouldn't be seen without.

As Earth's first warp-five capable starship in the Federation fleet, there's a lot to get your head around in the engine room of the USS Enterprise, but one trusty British company has come up with a decidedly low-tech solution.

Haynes, whose iconic range of automobile user manuals help teens and devotees alike keep their cars on the road 10 years after it is sensible to do so, have published a DIY guide to the most famous space voyager of them all.

The 160-page guide covers the entire range of USS Enterprise models, from Captain Jonathan Archer's original NX-01 from the most recent TV series through to the NCC-1701 under the control of Captain Kirk and her replacement, the NNC-1701-E.

While it might be 140-odd years ahead of its time, the manual will be available this month, guaranteeing Trekkies a perfect Christmas Day of ignoring the family and poring over the details of Triton-class spatial torpedoes and polarised duranium hulls.

"Haynes Enterprise Manual covers the various Enterprises – some in more depth than others – at a level that is accessible to anyone," Haynes Publishing Book Division editor Derek Smith told the official Star Trek website.

"So it was really about getting the level of technical detail just right.

"What’s also important is that the book shows how the design of these ships evolved from NX-01 through to NCC-1701-E.

"Along the way we go into more detail about the key technologies used on board. People want to know how warp engines work. We explain that.

"People want to know how transporters work. We explain that."

Haynes even hired the graphic designer who wrote the technical manual for Star Trek scriptwriters - Michael Okuda - to watch over the project and ensure the technology was consistent throughout their special edition.

Each Enterprise model gets the full Haynes cutaway treatment, with details of the bridge, engines and transporter rooms.

Aspiring Scottys even get a step-by-step guide to stripping down their starcraft and rebuilding her for those awkward moments when Zefram Cochrane's warp drive fails to make the jump into hyperspace.

Haynes said it hoped the manual would be available in Australia "some time in November".

It will retail for $32.95 and will be available at www.haynes.com.au and through Dymocks, A&R, Borders and speciality bookstores.