The Athene Donald was a Federation Olympic-class starship in civilian service during the late-24th century. It was named after the 20th and 21st century human scientist, Athene Donald.
Service history[]
Constructed by Starfleet in the 2380s, the Athene Donald was allocated to the civilian Rosalind Franklin Institute for Biomedical Research as a science and exploration vessel.
In 2385, Doctor Katherine Pulaski successfully lobbied the Rosalind Franklin Institute for a starship to undertake a multi-cultural mission of science and exploration, and was given the Athene Donald. Pulaski's chosen crew consisted of representatives from the Klingon Empire, the Cardassian Union, the Romulan Star Empire, the Ferengi Alliance and the Tzenkethi Coalition, with the belief that "science will do what diplomacy can't" and start to bring peace between the powers of the Khitomer Accords and the Typhon Pact. The director of research and de-facto commanding officer was Director Maurita Tanj, one of Pulaski's old friends.
The Athene Donald stopped at Deep Space 9 to take on final crew and supplies before embarking on her maiden voyage of discovery in late November 2385. Shortly after leaving DS9, the Athene Donald encountered a Chain ship and was temporarily delayed by the superior vessel during a tense first contact with the Chain which was exacerbated by DS9's related first contact with the People of the Open Sky.
The first leg of the Athene Donald's journey was due to end at Outpost 293. (DS9 novel: The Missing)
Facilities[]
The Athene Donald possessed state-of-the-art research facilities, at least 16 laboratories, a recreation room, several reception rooms and a bar. (DS9 novel: The Missing)
Personnel[]
- Director Maurita Tanj (Trill (joined) female) – commanding officer and director of research
- Doctor Katherine Pulaski (Human female) – chief medical officer
- Delka (Ferengi female) – first contact specialist
- Metiger Ter Yai-A (Tzenkethi female) – Genetic specialist
- Peter Alden (Human male) – Xenosociolinguist/former intelligence officer
Connections[]
| Olympic-class research science vessel/medical frigate starships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Federation Starfleet (primary universe) |
Olympic-class | Ajax • Ampere • Athene Donald • Banting • Biko • Boyce • Fleming (24th century) • Fleming (25th century) • Galen • Hippocrates • Hope • Hooke • Lavoisier • Lovelace • Mayo • McClintock • Meitner • Moore • Nobel • Noble • Olympic • Olympic-B • Pasteur • Peace • Quito • Salk • Tranquility • unnamed Olympic-class starships |  
|
| Hope-subclass | Hipocrates • Hope • Nobel | ||
| Horizon-subclass | Bale • Copernicus • Griffin • Horizon | ||
| Nobel-subclass | Nobel | ||
| Terran Empire, Imperial Starfleet (mirror universe) |
Olympic-class | Olympic • Olympus | 
|
| Nobel-subclass | Nobel | ||