Constructed by the Cardassian Union under the name ‘Terok Nor’, and later seized
by the United Federation of Planets.
Deep Space Nine may well be the most historically and politically significant space station
of the 24th Century Alpha Quadrant.
First assembled in orbit of Bajor and later moved to the Denorios Belt in the outer regions
of the Bajor System, the station spent the most significant years of its career at the
mouth of the Bajor-Idran Wormhole, the first and only truly stable wormhole discovered
in the Milky Way Galaxy.
At a diameter of 1451.82 Meters and a height of 968.26 meters, Terok Nor was originally
constructed to the specifications of a standard Cardassian Starbase, with various modules
dedicated to orbital ore refining and operated by Bajoran Slave Labour during the Cardassian
occupation.
The station is divided into 98 Decks, and is built to comfortably house up to seven
thousand humanoids for long-term habitation.
Under the flag of the Federation, Deep Space Nine carried a large civilian populace as
well as up to two thousand military personnel, drawn from members of both the Federation
Starfleet and Bajoran Militia.
Though designed as a multi-role starport and logistics facility, Deep Space Nine is more
than capable of defending itself, and serves as a powerful fortification to defend the
entrance to the Bajoran Wormhole.
The station carries 48 Rotary mount phaser arrays, supported by 36 fixed mount phaser
emitters and three sliding wide-range phaser arrays.
The station’s torpedo arsenal is similarly impressive, carrying 48 warhead launchers
and up to 5000 Photon Torpedoes.
These weapons are most effective at medium range, but should the station fall under direct
attack, it’s powerful shield generators are able to repel anything short of concentrated
fire from numerous warships.
Following the discovery of the Bajoran Wormhole at the start of DS9’s Federation Career,
the station fell into the role of a home port for research teams and scout vessels travelling
through the anomaly and into the unexplored Gamma Quadrant.
In order to carry out survey missions of this kind, and to expand the station’s defences,
Starfleet assigned a trio of Danube Class Runabouts to the station.
These vessels were exceptionally reliable and versatile, able to fill a number of roles
and expand the reach of the station over a sizeable range.
Across the years of its career, Deep Space Nine was forced to replace or supplement its
Runabout complement on many occasions.
Each time a new vessel was delivered, it was traditionally named after a river on earth,
with examples including the USS Rio Grande, Orinoco and Shenandoah.
This discovery of the Bajoran Wormhole transformed Deep Space Nine from a commandeered border
outpost into the most important strategic holdfast in civilised space.
Following the outbreak of the Dominion War, the station became the frontline command centre
of a vast interstellar conflict, housing and supplying large portions of the Federation
Starfleet, as well as hosting representatives and military detachments from the Klingon
and Romulan Empires.
Several of the most crucial battles of the war were fought on and around Deep Space Nine,
with both sides vying to maintain control of Bajor and the Wormhole.
Even following the Treaty of Bajor and the end of the Dominion War, Deep Space Nine remains
one of the most important ports of call in the Federation, serving as a vital base for
humanitarian efforts across the now-crippled Cardassian Union, and continuing to stand
watch over the gates of the Gamma Quadrant.