Starfleet

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File:Starfleet command emblem.png
Emblem of Starfleet Command
File:Starfleet Seal alternate reality.png
Seal of Starfleet in the alternate reality

Starfleet is the deep space exploratory and defense service maintained by the United Federation of Planets. Its principal functions included the advancement of Federation knowledge about the galaxy and its inhabitants, the advancement of Federation science and technology, the defense of the Federation, and the facilitation of Federation diplomacy.

As per its mandate of deep space exploration, its personnel were frequently brought into contact with cultures and sentient species whose existences were unknown to the Federation. Starfleet officers therefore acted as official representatives of the Federation in these cases. Starfleet vessels were also frequently used to ferry ambassadors on diplomatic missions.

History of Starfleet[edit | edit source]

United Earth Starfleet[edit | edit source]

Prior to 2161, Starfleet was the primary space exploration organization of United Earth in the early-to-mid 22nd century. The primary authority of Starfleet was referred to as either Starfleet Command or the United Earth Space Probe Agency (UESPA), and was located at Starfleet Headquarters in the city of San Francisco, Earth.

The primary purpose of Starfleet from its infancy was to "...seek out new life and new civilizations," and "...go boldly where no man has gone before." (This quote is attributed to Zefram Cochrane, the inventor of warp drive on Earth.)

Some Starfleet personnel worked in conjunction with the United Earth Diplomatic Corps.

For a time, beginning in 2153, some Starfleet vessels began carrying detachments of MACOs, an Earth military service. This practice was a reaction to the devastating Xindi attack on Earth, and subsequent mission into the Delphic Expanse in response. The decision to carry these units was left up to individual starship captains, and was not a formal policy of Starfleet Command at the time. While Enterprise NX-01 had MACO units assigned to its mission as late as 2161, it is unknown whether its sister ship, Columbia, ever had a contingent attached to it.

One of the primary projects of Starfleet was to develop a viable and fast interstellar engine that would allow Earth to practically cross vast distances in reasonably short time. Despite some allegations of interference – or at least, a refusal of assistance – from the Vulcans, Earth had made notable progress in developing the warp five engine by the 2150s.

Key officials overseeing the United Earth Starfleet included:

Article 14, Section 31, of the original U.E. Starfleet Charter made allowances for certain rules to be bent during times of extraordinary threat. This clause was the seed for the rogue organization known as Section 31. Lieutenant Malcolm Reed was recruited to Section 31 as a young ensign.

United Federation of Planets Starfleet[edit | edit source]

With the formation of the Federation in 2161, as per the Federation Charter, United Earth Starfleet, MACO and the deep space and defensive services of the other member worlds were folded into the authority of the Federation.

Until as late as the 2290s, some Starfleet operations continued to fall at least partly under the jurisdiction of UESPA. By the mid-24th century, however, Starfleet operations were regulated solely by Starfleet Command, answering to the Federation President and the Federation Council.

Species with representatives in Starfleet[edit | edit source]

File:Rec deck crew 1.jpg
Many Starfleet members of various species

Starfleet has always been a multiracial organization, composed of species from various worlds. Even though Starfleet was an organization representing United Earth and later on the United Federation of Planets, it was not a requirement for Starfleet personnel to be Human, or later on, from a member species of the Federation. Non-Federation citizens could join Starfleet, but in order to do so, a command level officer had to submit a letter of recommendation.

As an example, in 2369, there were 17 representatives from non-Federation planets serving on the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)1=. At times Starfleet has even allowed members from species that were its enemies at the time to work as crew members.

The following races have had members of their species working for Starfleet:

In addition, the Arkarians provided baryon sweeps for Starfleet starships, and Bynars provided their technical services in upgrading the computers of Starfleet ships. Starfleet also employed sentient artificial photonic lifeforms as holographic emergency personnel, such as the Emergency Medical Holographic programs. The El-Aurian Guinan provided her services as bartender on the Enterprise-D and the Talaxian Neelix, the Ocampa Kes, the Borg Seven of Nine and the Brunali former Borg drone Icheb worked as members of the crew of the USS Voyager during the voyage through the Delta Quadrant.

Organization[edit | edit source]

Direct commanding authority over Starfleet is a power of the Federation President. In addition, the Federation Council, the Federation's legislature, often directly influenced the service's operations and even issued orders on occasion. The day-to-day operations of the service were managed by Starfleet Command, under a commander in chief.

Commander in chief[edit | edit source]

The commander in chief oversees the operations of the entire service, and reports directly to the Federation president. In the late 2370s, the position of commander in chief was actually held by Federation President Jaresh-Inyo.

Starfleet Command[edit | edit source]

This is the service's operational authority. Senior positions included the Commander, Starfleet, the chief of staff and the chief of Starfleet Operations.

Sector commands[edit | edit source]

These oversee operations of the service within sectors of Federation space. There are at least 23 sector commands. Sector commanders reported to Starfleet Command, and commanding officers of service vessels operating within these sectors reported to them.

Starfleet Academy[edit | edit source]

Starfleet Academy is a facility maintained by the service for the training of its officers. Prospective officers receive extensive training at this facility, for a period of four years. Undergraduates attending the facility are called midshipmen in the 23rd century and cadets in the 24th century. Successful graduates are commissioned as Federation Starfleet officers.

Branches and agencies[edit | edit source]

There are a number of branches and agencies that assist Starfleet Command in the running of the service.

Personnel[edit | edit source]

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Starfleet personnel are organized, using a naval-derived rank structure, into a chain of command. Personnel are in either of two groups: enlisted personnel and officers. Some personnel formally committed to the service by taking the Starfleet oath.

Officers[edit | edit source]

In the 22nd century, Starfleet was a civilian organization acting as a successor to various Earth based space agencies such as NASA, the International Space Agency, and others. Its primary function was scientific development and exploration of space.

Starfleet officers function as commanders and directors of the service's operations at all levels. The most senior officers ranks are known as flag officer ranks. Officers holding these ranks functioned at the highest levels of command in the service. Flag officer ranks, in descending order of the chain of command, are as follows:

Sector commanders, the Superintendent of Starfleet Academy, the Commander, Starfleet, the Starfleet Chief of Staff and Chief of Starfleet Operations, and the Commander in Chief, are all flag officers.

Below flag officer ranks are other officer ranks. Officers holding these ranks usually served in field command positions, such as commanding officers and senior staff on the service's vessels. These ranks, in descending order of the chain of command, are as follows:

Graduates of Starfleet Academy are commissioned to the rank of ensign, the most junior officer's rank, and are promoted to higher ranks over the courses of their time in the service. Physicians who graduate from Starfleet Medical Academy in the 24th century are commissioned to the rank of lieutenant junior grade.

Enlisted personnel[edit | edit source]

These personnel function under the command of the officers, usually serving aboard Starfleet vessels or other facilities. Instead of officers' training, enlisted personnel receive basic training for whatever position they served in. The most junior enlisted rank is that of crewman. The service's enlisted rank structure, in descending order of the chain of command, is as follows:

The enlisted ranks above that of crewman are not commissioned officer ranks. To distinguish them from commissioned officer ranks, the term 'non-commissioned officer' is used. All enlisted personnel are subordinate to commissioned officers in the chain of command.

Uniforms[edit | edit source]

In the 22nd century, the same basic uniform was worn by all Starfleet officers, with differences in insignia and color-coded elements designed to distinguish rank and departmental function. Starfleet departments included Starfleet Operations and Starfleet Security.

Starfleet personnel wore distinctive uniforms while on duty. These uniforms generally displayed the department color of the department/division the enlisted person or officer served in, and also the rank insignia.

Wearing a Starfleet uniform when not actually a member of Starfleet would put one at risk of being charged with impersonating a Starfleet officer.

Bases and installations[edit | edit source]

Aside from its headquarters, located on Earth, the Federation's capital world, Starfleet also maintains installations throughout Federation territory.

Starbases[edit | edit source]

Starbases are facilities set aside for resupply of the service's vessels and the relaxation of vessel crews, are maintained in all sectors of Federation space. In addition, the service also maintains facilities beyond Federation territory. The most well-known of these is Deep Space 9, in the Alpha Quadrant.

Shipyards[edit | edit source]

File:Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards.jpg
The Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards

The service also maintains a number of shipyards at which it constructs its vessels and designs and tests new vessels and vessel types. Among the most famous of these shipyards are:

Training facilities[edit | edit source]

File:Relva VII surface.jpg
Relva VII testing facility

Apart from Starfleet Academy, the service also maintains several training facilities for both officers and enlisted personnel. These includ a number of Academy annexes, located in different systems. Known annexes are Starfleet Academy (Beta Aquilae II), Starfleet Academy (Beta Ursae Minor II) and Starfleet Academy (Psi Upsilon III). The service also maintains at least one testing facility to evaluate prospective Starfleet Academy undergraduates for admission into the academy. This facility is located on the planet Relva VII.

Starfleet Academy also has a training program for enlisted personnel. In addition, at least one other such facility is located on Mars, known as the Starfleet Technical Services Academy.

Vessels[edit | edit source]

The single most important asset that Starfleet possesses, apart from its personnel, is its vast number of vessels.

Starships[edit | edit source]

File:Federation fleet prepares to engage Dominion fleet.jpg
A task force of Starfleet starships prepares for battle

The backbone of Starfleet's operations are its starships. These vessels, all warp-capable, are capable of supporting and providing the ability and resources to carry out all of the service's mandates: exploration, the defense of the Federation, the transport of supplies and resources, and providing emergency medical care. A large range of starship classes exists. Some are multi-purpose and other are designed for a specific use. By the 24th century, Starfleet's mandates stated that no warships, or ships designed purely for defensive purposes, would be built, but an exception was made when the threat of the Dominion became evident.

The most famous ship of pre-Federation Starfleet was the NX-class Enterprise NX-01. That ship was the first to be equipped with the Warp 5 engine, and made first contact with over thirty species. Under the command of Captain Jonathan Archer, Enterprise established Earth as an interstellar power after negotiating treaties between the Vulcans and Andorians in 2152, saving the galaxy from the Sphere-Builders and the Xindi in 2154, uncovering the lost teachings of Surak on Vulcan and preventing a Vulcan invasion of Andoria later in 2154, helping to instigate a cultural and political coup d'état against the dictatorial Vulcan head of state Administrator V'Las, and facilitating peace talks between the Andorians and Tellarites following a series of attacks on both races in late 2154.

The United Earth Starfleet also built the NX-class Columbia, launching that ship in late 2154, with at least two more NX-class ships planned.

The United Earth Starfleet did not have any jurisdiction over what happens aboard vessels operating in the Earth Cargo Service. That responsibility remained in the hands of the Earth Cargo Authority.

File:USS Enterprise-A quarter.jpg
Constitution-class refit

The Constitution-class was historically one of the service's most important starship classes. Starships of this class were the service's frontline vessels in the 23rd century, designed for long-term exploratory missions lasting five Earth years. The most storied of these vessels was the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) under the command of Captain James Tiberius Kirk. During his historic tour of duty as captain, countless new civilizations, planets, and anomalies were studied.

In the late 2260s to early 2270s, the Constitution-class starships underwent a major refit program. The actual refitting took eighteen months of work and essentially a new vessel was built onto the bones of the old, replacing virtually every major system. These upgraded refit Constitutions provided a bridge in capability until the next class of modern Starfleet cruiser could take their place at the forefront of galactic exploration, diplomacy, and conflict. Thus, the Constitution-class continued in service for a further twenty years.

The Excelsior-class was initially constructed during the early 2280s at Starfleet's San Francisco Fleet Yards orbiting Earth. Starfleet had high hopes for the first ship of this class, the prototype USS Excelsior, which was equipped with transwarp drive, and was regarded as that century's "Great Experiment." Despite the failure of the "Great Experiment," Starfleet forged ahead with employing the Excelsior design. After remaining in Earth Spacedock until at least 2287, the prototype Excelsior was subsequently recommissioned for active service by 2290. In 2293, the Excelsior design was given greater notoriety when Starfleet passed on the name of a legacy. The launch of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B)1= opened the door for the Excelsior class to become one of the most widely used designs in all of Starfleet, a design lasting well into the late 24th century.

In the 24th century, the Excelsior design was gradually replaced as the service's front-line vessel class by the Galaxy-class. Primarily designed at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, this class was the most technologically sophisticated in the history of the service. Vessels of this class were the largest in size of any ever produced in Federation history, and became well-known, both within and outside of the Federation, for their capabilities in both scientific enquiry and exploration. The most recognized vessel of this class was the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)1=, commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

Due to continual advancements in design, the Galaxy-class was eventually replaced by the Sovereign-class. This class features innovations in weapons, warp propulsion and computer processing power. The most noteworthy vessel in this class was the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E)1=, again commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

Another very well known class was the Intrepid-class. This class is older than the Sovereign-class, but more advanced than the Galaxy-class. The Intrepid-class proved itself many times beyond what was expected of it when a ship of this class, the USS Voyager, commanded by Captain Kathryn Janeway, was cast nearly 70,000 light years away from Federation space, deep into the unexplored Delta Quadrant, in 2371. The ship supported Captain Janeway and her crew through dangers never before encountered by a Starfleet crew, and successfully returned to Federation space in 2378. For those seven years, the ship had no access to any kind of Starfleet supplies or maintenance whatsoever.

Other noteworthy starship classes were the Akira-class, the Nova-class, the Olympic-class, the Defiant-class; Starfleets first warship and the experimental Prometheus-class. The Defiant- and Prometheus-classes were primarily designed for tactical operations. The Olympic-class was designed as mobile emergency medical centers.

Other vessels[edit | edit source]

Aside from its starships, the service also operates other vessels. Among these are several types of shuttlecraft, which are typically used to transport personnel over relatively short distances, such as from a starship orbiting a planet down to the planet's surface.

Starfleet shuttlecraft of the 23rd and 24th centuries are also equipped with limited warp capability, allowing transport of personnel within a range of several light years from the starship.

General Orders and Regulations[edit | edit source]

The service maintains a set of regulations, known as Starfleet General Orders and Regulations. These govern all aspects of service operations and cover most situations it is thought that personnel might encounter, from protocol to situations of first contact with unknown species.

The most important of these is termed General Order Number One, but was more commonly referred to as the Prime Directive.

Not all of the general orders and regulations are intended for general personnel knowledge. At least one, known as the Omega Directive, was a top secret of the highest order, and was known only to officers ranking captain or any flag officer rank. This was due to the extreme sensitivity and danger posed by the subject the directive dealt with.

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]