A class-8 probe
A class-8 probe or more specifically class VIII mid-range multimission warp probe was a type of probe used by the Federation Starfleet in the 24th century.
History[]
A modified class-8 probe
A modified class-8 probe
In 2360, Captain Picard of the USS Portia ordered a class-8 probe dispatched to act as a log buoy, in case the ship's current, secret mission failed. (TLE novel: The Buried Age)
In 2365, Federation special emissary K'Ehleyr travelled from Starbase 153 to the USS Enterprise-D on an urgent mission in a heavily modified class-8 probe because no starship was available at the time. (TNG episode: "The Emissary")
Technical specifications[]
The probes were housed within modified photon torpedo casings and had a range of 1.2x102 light-years. They were powered by a matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine which could propel them at warp 9 for 6.5 hours. In addition to standard sensors the probes could be fitted with mission specific modules. (TNG reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual)
The typical uses of this type of probe ranged from the examination of particles and energy fields to early-warning and reconnaissance missions. However, they could also be modified to carry a single humanoid by removing all sensor systems and replacing them with a life-support system. Additionaly, they could serve as log buoys, much like the class-9 probes. (TNG reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, TNG episode: "The Emissary", TLE novel: The Buried Age)
Appendices[]
Connections[]
| Starfleet probe classes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| numbered classes | class-1 • class-2 • class-3 • class-4 • class-5 • class-6 • class-7 • class-8 • class-9 • class-10 | 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quadros series | Quadros-1 • Quadros-3 • Quadros-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| other types | class-A • atmospheric • deep space • interface • microprobe • multispatial • sensor • Series Alpha • telemetry • Vega Nine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
External link[]
Class-8 probe article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.