A starbase is a type of outpost facility used by many spacefaring civilizations as a support base for starship fleets. Starbases can be comprised of both planetary installations, space stations, or a combination of both, and carry out many functions: scientific, strategic, diplomatic, service and supply, starship construction, and support for exploration, colonization and military operations. (ST reference: The Star Trek Encyclopedia; ST video game: Armada; EV comic: "Futures, Part One"; VAN novel: Harbinger; etc.)
History and specifics[]
The United Federation of Planets operated many starbases throughout and beyond its space. These could be administered by Federation civilian groups (such as member governments), Starfleet, and even non-member governments, or combinations there of, such as the Bajoran/Starfleet control of Deep Space 9. Federation starbases are considered free diplomatic zones, open to visitors from all planets. (Star Trek Fact Files Issue 32-1: "Federation Starbases: General Introduction"; TOS comic: "A Matter of Perspective"; DS9 episode & novelization: Emissary; TOS comic: "The Argon Affair!")
United Earth's Earth Starfleet was considering building a series of starbases as early as the year 2154. That year, the starship Enterprise was sent to check potential sites for the first of these bases; one of the locations considered was Berengaria VII. Earth went on to build fourteen bases; by the late 24th century only one, Starbase 11, continued to function as a Federation starbase. (ENT episode: "Bound"; ST - New Worlds, New Civilizations short story: "225 Years of Service")
Earth Spacedock, construction of which was completed in 2276, served as the basis for the design of many Federation starbases that followed, making it one of the most iconic Federation designs. (ST reference: Starship Spotter)
Legal aspects[]
Under interstellar law in and around the galaxy's Alpha and Beta Quadrant, establishing a starbase in a star system grants the establishing state a legal authority over the system and incorporates it into their territory, irrespective of the presence of a pre-warp civilization within the system. A stellar outpost can also sometimes be considered a starbase in the legal context. Before a starbase can be established, all orbiting bodies are usually required to be surveyed by the party claiming the system. (ST video game: Infinite)
- These system-claiming requirements are part of the game mechanics of Star Trek Infinite.
Known starbases[]
This article or subsection has an associated category. | starbases |
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Klingon starbases and outposts | ||
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Starbases | Boreth Station • Durandal Station • H'atoria Station • Krios Station • Narendra Station • Nathvekra Station • Ogat Station • Qo'noS Station • Qu'Vat Station • Starbase 1 • Starbase 2 • Starbase 3 • Starbase 4 • Starbase 5 • Starbase 6 • Starbase 7 • Starbase 8 • Starbase 10 • Vok-Nagral Station | |
Outposts and stations | Camp Khitomer • haunted house station • Ikaal outpost • Ka"hat outpost • Kinza D'elma • Klamuth outpost • Klingon Defense Force Command Headquarters • Krell outpost • Kura outpost • Mastocal outpost • Mera Zine • No'Var Outpost • Sicon Ring outpost • Toman outpost • Ty'Gokor |
Romulan starbases | ||
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Atnox Depot • Levaeri Station • S'harien Station • Silvak Outpost • Star Outpost 6 • Star Outpost 24 • Star Outpost 67 • Star Outpost 112 |
Appendices[]
External link[]
- Starbase article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.