Canopus Class
Canopus-class starbases are some of the most modern in Starfleet, and are most often seen as hubs of busy peripheral sectors not facing a significant strategic threat. With a design derived from the larger Spacedock class and its exceptional capacity and facilities for starship support, it is built along the same classic lines, seen as a strong symbol of a Starfleet presence. Its crew of several thousand officers and extensive facilities allows the Canopus to undertake operations of diplomacy, science, and commerce, and provide maintenance and relief for starships on similar missions.
Mission Parameters
Being built in increasingly large numbers, Canopus-class stations are almost always built as starbases or deep space stations with generalist capabilities. There are plans for a few of these to serve as anchor stations for smaller shipyards, but, otherwise, they are simply too large to be useful in specialist assignments. In more important sectors, they serve as subsidiary starbases, but they are more than capable of serving as sector headquarters for frontier sectors. They have the intensive communications facilities and advanced defenses necessary to serve as command-and-control hubs. The only function a Canopus-class station cannot readily perform is intensive starship maintenance or construction, as the six small starship berths can only handle small frigates.
Design and Layout
Outwardly resembling the larger Spacedock-class spacedock, Canopus-class stations are made up of a series of large modules assembled vertically to resemble a top—or a mushroom. The upper spires of this station are a mix of communication antennae, office facilities, shield generators, sensors, and the station's primary control centers. These structures are surrounded by a ring that contains living facilities for the stations senior command personnel, the station's promenade, medical facilities, and twelve shuttle bays.
This area is on top of the large dish that makes up the dorsal surface of the station. This region is comprised primarily of the station's main cargo holds, which have six large cargo doors. Much of the interior of the dish is taken up by cargo storage, with connections between six frigate-sized starship bays on the edge of the structure and two more cargo doors. Significant amounts of living quarters are found in the exterior of the dish. A docking ring extends around the entire rim of the dish.
The station's main habitation module is the first large cylinder under the dish, followed by scientific, engineering, and hospital facilities in the next one. The station's primary shield generators are located in a ring above the lowest module, the station's reactor, which also has an antennae farm.
Docking and Cargo Facilities
Most of the interior of the dish is hollow for extensive cargo storage, as well as dozens of shuttle bays, and six larger bays for frigate-sized starships or freighters. While not as wide-open as a spacedock, these stations can manage high volumes of traffic. Larger starships must either orbit the station or dock along the ring at the rim of the station, where there are a dozen extendable docking ports for cruisers and explorers.
Defensive Capabilities
Canopus-class stations are well-defended. Their potent shields can withstand all but the most determined assaults, and it would take a substantial enemy flotilla to destroy one. Phaser banks are located throughout the station for maximum coverage. These consist of two spheres with four Type-XIV phaser arrays capable of 180 degree coverage. When not in use, they are rotated into a concealed and lowered position. Torpedo launchers use similar structures. A Canopus-class station can also easily support a wing of starfighters, though these aren't often deployed except in contested areas.
Civilian Population
Akin to a college town in space, Canopus-class stations can support a civilian population of up to 15,000. Given that they aren't as spacious or as comfortable as larger stations, these inhabitants are often not long-term, though there are often folks who make a life here running lounges, shops, and restaurants. The majority of the civilians on stations of this class in deep space are the families of exploratory vessels' crews, as this allows them to be in contact with their loved ones more readily than living in the Federation's core does.
Station Life
Life aboard a Canopus-class station is sedate and comfortable. These stations are large enough to make one feel secure, even on far-flung frontiers, because they are almost always near to Starfleet vessels and have their own potent defenses. While not fully the city-in-space that a spacedock would be, they have their own schools, every type of recreational facility, and state-of-the-art hospitals. Growing up here would be fun, because you'd see starships coming and going every day. For a new officer fresh out of the Academy, though, this could be a boring assignment, as you'd constantly be tantalized with starships going out into space that you weren't on.
Canopus-class History
Developed in the 2390s to shore up defenses around the Federation, the Canopus-class was intended to supplant smaller stations as sector hubs where a spacedock was not appropriate. The goal with the project was to create a station class that could be assembled at the heart of the Federation and then towed in sections to its final destination for construction in less than five years. The first stations of this class popped up throughout the decade, and by the 2400's, there are several dozen now in service. Long-term, this station will complement the Unity-class station and eventually replace older Spacedock-class stations in regions that no longer need such a large facility.
Canopus-class stations In-Play
- While not the mighty facilities of the Spacedock or Guardian Class starbases, Canopus-class stations are a comfortable size as hubs for busy but not central regions of the Federation. It can handle significant regional traffic and defend itself against local threats while supporting a variety of missions.
- Supporting a crew of approximately five thousand, the Canopus has more of a feel of a town in space than the giant, floating cities or small, dedicated outposts of starbase classes outside its size category.