USS Rio Grande (NCC-72452)

The USS Rio Grande (NCC-72452) was a Danube-class Federation runabout assigned to Deep Space 9 in the 2370s. The Rio Grande was one of three runabouts offloaded to DS9 by the USS Enterprise-D in 2369.

The Rio Grande became one of the most famous runabouts in 2369, when Commander Benjamin Sisko and Lieutenant Jadzia Dax took the Rio Grande into the Denorios Belt and discovered the Bajoran wormhole that led to the Gamma Quadrant. Sisko later used the Rio Grande to tow Gul Skrain Dukat's Galor-class vessel back to the Alpha Quadrant. (DS9 novelization: Emissary).

In late 2370, the Rio Grande was captured by the Bajoran terrorist, Orta, when he managed to gain control of a Malkus artifact and defeated his opponents. Fortunately, Orta was captured by the DS9 crew and the USS Odyssey. (DS9 novella: "The Second Artifact").

Shortly after, Commander Sisko used the Rio Grande to take Jake Sisko, Quark, and Nog on a field expedition to a planet in the Gamma Quadrant. Unfortunately, the party encountered the Jem'Hadar for the first time and Commander Sisko and Quark were taken prisoner. Fortunately, Jake and Nog were able to break the Rio Grande out of orbit and signal for help. (DS9 episode: "The Jem'Hadar").

In 2373, Commander Sisko and Lt. Commander Dax used to Rio Grande as transport to a meeting with Starfleet Command during the Federation-Klingon War of 2373. Enroute back to DS9, the Rio Grande was ambushed by Klingon forces and sustained moderate damage. (DS9 episode: "Apocalypse Rising").

In 2375, Odo used the Rio Grande to enter Cardassian space and meet with an ex-informant. It later turned out that he had been tricked by a defective Weyoun clone who wanted to defect to the Federation. The Rio Grande was chased back to Federation space by the Jem'Hadar and the defective Weyoun had to sacrifice his life so that Odo could return to DS9. (DS9 episode: "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River").