Polaris Squadron
Polaris Squadron is a multi-mission unit within Fourth Fleet Operations under the command of Fleet Admiral Allison Reyes (Director, Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity) and Rear Admiral Alex Grayson (Commander, Archanis Sector Operations).
The flagship of Polaris Squadron is the USS Polaris, an Odyssey-class platform that hosts the mobile component of the Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity, and the headquarters of Polaris Squadron is Archanis Station, a Canopus-class starbase from whence sector operations are conducted.
Mandate
Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity
The Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity (ASTRA) is a specialized, cross-functional unit intended to fuel Starfleet’s innovation engine through discovery, investigations and interactions on the frontier; additionally, it provides rapid response support for critical non-traditional events from biological threats to spacetime anomalies where its specialized compliment of scientists, engineers and analysts may be particularly suited.
ASTRA's primary operations are based off the USS Polaris, and ASTRA also maintains facilities on the smaller USS Ingenuity for situations where the Polaris is otherwise occupied or less suited. Additionally, a fixed laboratory on Archanis Station provides support for long-term research activities.
Fleet Admiral Allison Reyes is the Director of ASTRA, and ASTRA is divided into four research units, each of which is led by commissioned officer that is also a specialist in field:
| Astrophysics and Exotic Sciences Unit Unit Lead: Commander Luke Lockwood, Ph.D. |
Research related to stellar and planetary phenomena, including astrophysics, subspace mechanics, temporal mechanics, stellar cartography, geochemistry, minerology, seismology, etc. |
| Medical and Biological Sciences Unit Unit Lead: James Henderson, M.D., M.P.H. |
Research related to alien species, including ecology, biology, zoology, botany, etymology, medicine, anatomy, pathology, toxicology, bacteriology, etc. |
| Cultural and Psychological Research Unit Unit Lead: Lieutenant Lisa Hall, Ph.D. |
Research related to the development, culture and perspectives of alien species, including anthropology, archaeology, agronomy, psychology, negotiation, historiology, etc. |
| Technology and Engineering Research Unit Unit Lead: Commander Cora Lee |
Research related to Federation and foreign technologies, including propulsion, weapons, shields, sensors, communications, digital systems, synthetic lifeforms, etc. |
Archanis Sector Operations
Coming soon
Composition
As of April 2401, Polaris Squadron is composed of four starships:
- USS Polaris, an Odyssey class heavy explorer serving as squadron flagship and base of operations for ASTRA;
- USS Diligent, an Alita class heavy escort providing tactical interdiction support for the squadron;
- USS Serenity, a Duderstadt class light cruiser providing surveillance and rapid response capabilities to the squadron; and
- USS Ingenuity, a Pathfinder class research vessel providing additional scientific research capabilities to the squadron.
And since July 2401, Polaris Squadron has used Archanis Station as its base of operations.