The Federation Science Council is a sub-group of the Federation Council which concerns itself with scientific research and policy within the United Federation of Planets.
It consists of seven members. (DTI novel: Forgotten History)
Responsibilities[]
- It holds authority over scientific branches of Starfleet such as Starfleet Science Operations and UESPA. (DTI novel: Forgotten History)
- It offers needed resources and grants for projects that expand many aspects of scientific knowledge, ranging from particle physics to developing new alloys to archeological expeditions. Fairly detailed proposals are expected before the Council allocates resources. (Decipher RPG module: Aliens, TLE novel: Well of Souls)
- It appoints the director of Memory Alpha. (Decipher RPG module: Worlds)
- It often conducts scientific and weapons prototype experiments aboard Federation starships. (Last Unicorn RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Core Game Book)
- It mandates certain Starfleet science missions, such as annual surveys of the Hobus Nebula. (STO novel: The Needs of the Many)
- It approves operational commands of certain science missions, such as Project Nexus. (TNG novel: The Stuff of Dreams)
- It finalizes planetary names. (ST - Typhon Pact novel: Seize the Fire)
- It assigns letter designations to the technological/sociopolitical index of civilizations which are advanced ahead of the Federation. (FASA RPG modules: Game Operations Manual, The Basic Rule Book)
- It provides lawful oversight. (DTI novel: Watching the Clock)
Particulars[]
Councilors and members[]
2260s[]
- Robert Kelly
- Kleeg
- Lanugu
- D'vin Loctrill
- Sarah Roth, junior member
2270s[]
- Vulcan - T'Nuri (chair)
- Betelgeuse - Chuu'iik Hru'uith
- Ithen - Danga Sitru
- Makus III - Konahr Lutet
- Mars - Chab jav Lorg
- Regulus III - Maria Moi
Branches[]
Subcommittees[]
- Federation Archaeology Council (FASA RPG module: Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update)
- Chronal Assessment Committee (DTI novel: Watching the Clock)
- The Council may also have some relationship to the Federation Science Bureau.
Facilities[]
- Paris (DTI novel: Forgotten History)
- Vandor IV research annex (DTI novel: Watching the Clock)
History[]
In the 23rd century the Council learned about the psychology behind Andorian hostility from work conducted by the Alpha Centauri Center for Psychological Studies on the planet Quarrel. (FASA RPG module: The Federation)
It outfitted a mining facility on the Azha 7a asteroid with science labs full of advanced equipment to study indigenous microbial fossils found in subsurface frost. (VAN novel: Declassified)
In 2267, the Federation Science Council completed Project Atlas. Council leader Lanugu developed biomagnetic recording, a method of digitizing living beings and storing them within data modules. The technology was used to evacuate the planet Styra, which was threatened by solar eruptions from the third star of 83 Beta. (TOS comic: "The Hijacked Planet")
James T. Kirk believed that Doctor Jason Crandall behaved more like a politician than a scientist, and likely aimed to have a seat on the Council. (TOS novel: Chain of Attack)
In 2298, the Council and the Vulcan Science Academy cosponsored a two-week scientific symposium on Vulcan that was attended by Spock, Amanda Grayson, Sarek as well as ambassador Alexandra Tremontaine, Bolian ambassador Feliq, Deltan quantum physicist Laujes, Saurian temporal theorist Ziresk Chot, and microbiology professor Senofsky. (TOS - Crucible novel: The Fire and the Rose)
In 2343, it sent an expedition to Calder II to study Sakethan burial mounds, leading to a permanent outpost overseen by its subcommittee the Federation Archaeology Council. Even in 2370, visitors were permitted only with their authorization. (Last Unicorn RPG module: Planets of the UFP, TNG episode: "Gambit")
In the 2360s, Hekaran scientists presented their claims that warp drive was damaging subspace to the Federation Science Council. The Council dismissed these claims until the Hekarans proved their theory in 2370 by creating a subspace rupture. This led to the Science Council's recommendation to the full Federation Council that a warp five "speed limit" be established. (TNG episode: "Force of Nature")
In 2381, when William Riker named a dead planet Doornail, Christine Vale pointed out that, while naming planets was the captain's prerogative, that designation would only stand until the Council settled on a more "dignified" name. (ST - Typhon Pact novel: Seize the Fire)
Appendices[]
References[]
- TNG episode: "Gambit"
- TNG episode: "Force of Nature"
- TOS novel: Chain of Attack
- TOS novel: Deep Domain
- TOS novel: Inception
- VAN novel: Declassified
- TOS - Crucible novel: The Fire and the Rose
- TOS comic: "The Hijacked Planet"
- TNG novel: Imzadi
- TNG novel: The Stuff of Dreams
- ST - Typhon Pact novel: Seize the Fire
- TLE novel: Well of Souls
- DTI novel: Watching the Clock
- DTI novel: Forgotten History
- STO novel: The Needs of the Many
- FASA RPG module: The Federation
- FASA RPG module: Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update
- Decipher RPG module: Aliens
- Decipher RPG module: Worlds
- Last Unicorn RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Core Game Book
- Last Unicorn RPG module: Planets of the UFP
External link[]
- Federation Science Council article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.