Polaris Squadron
Polaris Squadron is a mission unit under the command of Fleet Admiral Allison Reyes within Task Force 93 of the Fourth Fleet.
Polaris Squadron supports the work of the Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity (ASTRA), a specialized, cross-functional unit intended to fuel Starfleet’s innovation engine through discovery, investigations and interactions on the frontier, and it also provides rapid response for critical non-traditional events, from biological threats to spacetime anomalies, where the experience of ASTRA’s scientists, engineers and analysts are particularly suited.
The flagship of Polaris Squadron is the USS Polaris.
Mandate
The primary mandate of Polaris Squadron is the Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity (ASTRA). The current Director of ASTRA is Fleet Admiral Allison Reyes, and the unit is comprised of four specialized science and research units that dramatically extend beyond the scope of research departments found on typical Starfleet vessels:
- Astrophysics and Exotic Sciences Unit, led by Commander Luke Lockwood, Ph.D., is responsible for research related to stellar and planetary phenomena, including astrophysics, subspace mechanics, temporal mechanics, stellar cartography, geochemistry, minerology, seismology, etc.
- Medical and Biological Sciences Unit, led by James Henderson, M.D., M.P.H., is responsible for research related to alien species, including ecology, biology, zoology, botany, etymology, medicine, anatomy, pathology, toxicology, bacteriology, etc.
- Cultural and Psychological Research Unit, led by Lieutenant Lisa Hall, Ph.D., is responsible for research related to the development, culture and perspectives of alien species, including anthropology, archaeology, agronomy, psychology, negotiation, historiology, etc.
- Technology and Engineering Research Unit, led by Commander Cora Lee, is responsible for research related to Federation and foreign technologies, including propulsion, weapons, shields, sensors, communications, digital systems, synthetic lifeforms, etc.
Additionally, due to the fact that Fleet Admiral Allison Reyes is one of few flag officers permanently stationed on a frontier explorer, Polaris Squadron also frequently responds to first contact opportunities, diplomatic missions, and rapidly developing crises on the frontier.
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.