Jupiter Class
The Jupiter-class station is a highly-modular research installation found in many different configurations around the Federation. First constructed in the 2330s, this design is one of the most common space stations in Federation space because of its ease of construction and versatility.
Mission Parameters
Most Jupiter-class stations, like the original over Jupiter in the Sol system, are research facilities. They conduct research that is too dangerous to be undertaken on a planet’s surface or requires microgravity conditions. Unlike the smaller Regula-class, they are more spacious, more modern, but less adaptable, as they are comprised of a small number of large modules rather than a large number of small modules. Examples of missions for this class in the research configuration include research & development, high orbit observation of primitive species, and biological research.
Another available configuration is as a hospital station, given that this base can be quickly transported and deployed over a planet encountering a pandemic or other health crisis. These stations can hold several thousand patients without requiring as large a crew as a medical ship, making them ideal for long-term medical situations.
Several Jupiter-class stations are in use as trade outposts where a larger base would be impractical or unnecessary, serving as an orbital depot to handle cargo movement between ground and orbit. In addition, this configuration is used as a customs inspection point on minor trade routes within the Federation.
A handful of these bases have been built as subspace relay stations and monitoring posts around the Federation where a simple relay station would be insufficient. Their processing capacity allows them to efficiently serve as a hub in the subspace relay network and a base from which Starfleet Intelligence can collect signals intelligence.
Given that this base is highly modular, though, the possibilities for individual stations are nearly limitless, and each Jupiter is (generally speaking) a unique construction tailored to a particular mission profile.
Engineering
Jupiter-class stations are made up of saucer-shaped modules joined together with bridges and attached to reactor spires. The main modules contain habitation space, as well as cargo holds, science labs, and whatever facilities the base needs to carry out its primary mission, whether that be scientific, commercial, or (rarely) defensive, while the connecting pieces provide structural support and contain systems like the power and shield generators, communications arrays, and sensors. Most Jupiter-class stations consist of two stacks of three saucers joined by interconnecting bridges at all three levels and reactor spires attached to both stacks, though there are many permutations, ranging from a single saucer with a reactor spire to four stacks of saucers joined together, depending on the specific needs of individual bases. The saucer modules are structurally similar to the saucers used aboard Ambassador-class ships, but it is a common misconception that they are actually discarded starship components.
The long spires attached to the saucer stacks contain the station’s primary fusion reactors, which provide main power. Engineering control is maintained from smaller disk-shaped modules between the saucer stack and the reactor spire. Communications equipment is also attached to these spires. The top of the station also contains aerials for communication and sensor equipment.
Secondary power is provided through solar panel arrays attached either to the interconnecting bridges for multi-tower set-ups or to the central column of the saucer stacks, limiting the need to resupply distant outposts.
Docking and Cargo Facilities
Jupiter-class stations do not have internal starship berths, and while they do have standard docking ports, most do not have the docking booms required for large ships to dock safely with them. Beyond this, they also don’t hold large supplies of fuel or other consumables to resupply starships, so they make poor waystations for that purpose.
Shuttle and runabout facilities are located between the saucers, and these stations carry a small complement of each. For the variants of this type used as commercial facilities, these bays are the primary transfer hubs from orbiting freighters to the station’s cargo holds for items that cannot be transported, with large cargo elevators spanning the height of the station and connecting to holds in the center of each saucer.
Defensive Capabilities
Most Jupiter-class facilities are either located within systems with another Starfleet presence to keep them safe or don’t engage in operations that require weapons, and so most have limited armaments. They have robust shield systems, which allow them to wait for help if they are attacked, but are often only potential targets if they house advanced technology or potentially valuable information. As such, their defensive capabilities are focused on deterring or repelling potential raiders rather than resisting military assault. They can be equipped with phaser arrays on their saucer sections through purpose-built modules or attached tactical pods, but they rely more heavily on their secondary ships or nearby Starfleet support for protection. In general, it is always preferable to build nearly any other type of station when the need for defenses is anticipated.
Civilian Population
Most Jupiter-class stations are either purely Starfleet or a mix of Starfleet and Federation civilian specialists and do not house substantial civilian populations. This isn’t the sort of space station that’s a city in space; it’s a specialized research, trade, or observation post. Any civilians aboard work in roles like managing lounges and restaurants or other crew support roles if they aren’t mission specialists.
Station Life
Life on board a Jupiter-class is often very comfortable. Crew are expected to often commit long-term to research projects aboard, sometimes deep within Federation space where resources are plentiful and citizens expect a higher standard of living. Personal quarters are generous; junior enlisted have their own bedrooms but share living space with one to three others, while more senior crew have their own living space and separate sleeping areas. All but the most resource-intensively configured Jupiters are built with a saucer module heavily dedicated to recreation facilities, which include holodeck space for personal use, an arboretum, a gymnasium, and room for a small handful of civilian-run eateries.
The crew of a Jupiter-class often live far from danger in a facility purpose-built for their area of professional expertise, and the staff are normally deeply committed to a life of generally unvaried work far from wider society. Serving aboard a Jupiter-class offers an intellectually-fulfilling lifestyle alongside like-minded colleagues, but even by Starfleet standards a healthy work-life balance can be difficult.
History
The first constructed was the eponymous Jupiter Station, replacing an aging facility in the Sol System that predated the founding of the Federation. Though built to develop computer science technology, the designers knew that inhabitants would expect it to offer space and comfort due to its proximity to Earth, and a whole saucer module of Jupiter Station itself is committed to recreation and hospitality. Other stations constructed in the wake of Jupiter Station's success may not share these luxuries, but the need for modernity and comfort has largely persisted across designs.
In 2399, Jupiter-class stations are deployed either as research outposts in safe frontiers, or development facilities within secure Federation borders.
Jupiter-class Stations of the Fourth Fleet
The following Jupiter-class stations have been assigned to support operations of Starfleet's Fourth Fleet:
- Cormorant Station, near the border with the Romulan Republic
Jupiter-class Stations In Play
- Due to their modular design, each Jupiter-class is different depending on its research purpose. There is variety in laboratory space and use, recreation facilities, and sensor arrays and capabilities.
- Expected to often house a significant population of non-Starfleet researchers, sometimes deep within Federation space, Jupiter-classes are usually modern and comfortable.