Memory Alpha
Register
Advertisement
Memory Alpha
For the television channel, please see Space (channel).
"Don't tell me. You're from outer space."
"No, I'm from Iowa. I only work in outer space."
"Ah! Well, I was close. I mean I knew outer space was going to come into it sooner or later."

Space, also known as outer space or galactic space is the plane of existence that contains the known universe, that exists essentially as a three-dimensional vacuum, making it an integral component of the spacetime continuum.

Properties[]

According to the eulogy given by Kathryn Janeway to John Kelly, "Space. Literally it means nothing, a vacuum between stars and planets, but by the same token it means everything. It's what connects all our worlds." (VOY: "One Small Step")

Sensors aboard Federation starships were designed to "register only those things they're designed to register," as such, all according to Spock, "space still contains infinite unknowns." (TOS: "The Naked Time")

Space was also known for being extremely cold. When Klingon Captain Kang tried to murder the crew of the USS Enterprise in 2268, by disabling the ship's life support systems, he informed Captain James T. Kirk, that "You will die of suffocation in the icy cold of space." (TOS: "Day of the Dove") In 2285, Khan Noonien Singh later stated to Kirk how "It is very cold… in space." (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) General Chang made the same observation in 2293, stating that "In space, all warriors are cold warriors." (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Odors cannot travel through the vacuum of space. (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles")

Interstellar space[]

The term interstellar space described the regions between stars.

Junior was described by Geordi La Forge as "a space baby", meaning that the creature's species were "born, live, and die in interstellar space." (TNG: "Galaxy's Child")

Deep space[]

The term deep space described areas of space that were at the extent, or beyond, one's own star system, territory, or furthest point of exploration – otherwise known as uncharted space or unexplored space.

Starfleet used the deep space nomenclature to describe the location of certain types of space labs, starbases, outposts and space stations. For example, Deep Space Station K-7, located near the Federation-Klingon border, or Deep Space 9, located within Bajoran space, were named based on their deep space locales. (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles"; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

In 2151, Captain Jonathan Archer told Sub-commander T'Pol about "The Great Experiment" which went along with the question, "Could Humans colonize deep space." (ENT: "Terra Nova")

In 2267, on the stand in a court martial proceeding, Dr. Leonard McCoy was cited on record as an expert in psychology, especially space psychology, which was defined as "patterns which develop in the close quarters of a ship during long voyages in deep space." (TOS: "Court Martial")

Later that year, Spock described the damage to the space probes Nomad and Tan-Ru as occurring in deep space. Later, Captain James T. Kirk ordered the errant amalgam of the two probes beamed to a set of coordinates that were specified as being in deep space. (TOS: "The Changeling") Kirk also specified deep space as a target when Redjac, inhabiting the body of Hengist, was transported off the Enterprise. (TOS: "Wolf in the Fold")

When Lieutenant Mira Romaine came aboard USS Enterprise, Dr. McCoy and Montgomery Scott had a discussion about how their experience told them that someone's first trip into deep space can affect them. (TOS: "The Lights of Zetar")

In 2372, Captain Kathryn Janeway noted that, an unspecified number of years beforehand, Starfleet used a technology to assist deep space travel by keeping the body in stasis and providing an artificial environment, or mental landscape, to keep the mind active and alert. (VOY: "The Thaw")

The USS Voyager was the first Federation ship which tested a class nine warp drive in deep space. (VOY: "Relativity")

After the first contact with Voyager in 2374, Starfleet redirected two deep space vessels toward Voyager's position. (VOY: "Message in a Bottle", "Hope and Fear")

It is never mentioned what the exact definition of "deep space" is, but it is clear that some Federation ships are ordered on "deep space missions" or that some starbases are called "deep space stations". The insinuation, however, is that deep space refers to regions of space that are "far from home".

Deep space stations[]

Territories[]

See also[]

Intergalactic void[]

The intergalactic void, or extragalactic space, was an area of empty space between galaxies.

See also[]

Appendices[]

Background information[]

In the final draft and revised final draft of the script for TOS: "The Enemy Within", space was referred to as "vast... relentless... heaven for some... hell for others...."

A few Star Trek-related people have been to "outer space," briefly leaving Earth's atmosphere. Astronaut Mae Jemison has flown on a space shuttle orbiter, while Terry Virts flew the shuttle itself in 2010. E. Michael Fincke has served aboard the International Space Station. Stephen Hawking participated in a zero-gravity flight. Gene Roddenberry and James Doohan have both had their ashes flown to outer space. A tiny model of the USS Enterprise has also flown aboard a space shuttle.

External link[]

Advertisement