Ships of this class are commonly called "Runabouts", and are usually used by space stations for
short-range interstellar travel. The runabout is a true multirole starship with engine efficiencies and
cargo capacities proportional to larger vessels. The Danube-class project began as a vehicle study in 2363
at the Advanced Starship Design Bureau (ASDB) for a ship that could perform a variety of scientific,
resupply, and personnel-transfer missions. The prototype USS Danube NX-72003, was ordered into construction
at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards in 2365, and began flight trials off the surface of Mars in early 2368.
The mission directives of the Danube-class included the ability to perform rapid-response scientific
expedition transporation, the ability to act as an orbital or landed temporary ops base for science missions,
to move intact experiment and cargo modules from site to site, and perform emergency and tactical missions
limited only by the onboard supplies of fuel, weapons, and consumables. Runabouts have typically carried no
armaments beyond the six standard phaser strips mounted two forward, two on the nacelles, and two on the aft
living module. They also use 13.3-centimeter microtorpedoes, as well as at least four full-sized photon or
quantum torpedoes.
The continued production of the Danube-class runabout has been approved by Starfleet for the foreseeable
future, even as a follow-on vehicle is undergoing initial design reviews and systems simulations at the ASDB.
Spaceframe and systems tooling has been replicated and dispersed to three additional sites beyond the initial
Utopia Planitia Yards, so that rapid deliveries of replacement runabouts can continue, pending Starfleet work
order priorities and processed materials availability.
The Danube-class runabouts seen in Deep Space Nine are traditionally named after great rivers. The
runabout was designed by Rick Sternbach and Jim Martin, and the interior cockpit set was designed by Joseph
Hodges, all under the direction of Herman Zimmerman. The aft compartment was designed by Richard James. The
miniature was built by Tony Meininger.
Related Links:
Designing the Runabout
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USS Danube NCC-72003
Prototype mentioned in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual.
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USS Gander NCC-
Destroyed by the Jem'Hadar over Goralis in 2375.
"Penumbra" - DS9.
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USS Ganges NCC-72454
One of the first runabouts assigned to Deep
Space 9. The Ganges was destroyed by a T'Lani munitions cruiser in 2370.
The Ganges was named after the river in northern India and eastern Pakistan that is 1,560
miles long from the Himalayas and Bay of Bengal.
"Past Prologue" - DS9. "Armageddon Game" - DS9.
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USS Mekong NCC-72917
The Mekong was destroyed in the aftermath of the disastrous Cardassian-Romulan attack on the
Founders' homeworld in 2371.
It was named after the river in southeast Asia that flows south to the China Sea.
"Playing God" - DS9. "The Die is Cast" - DS9.
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USS Orinoco NCC-72905
Destroyed in 2372 by a Cardassian separatist group called The True Way.
The Orinoco was named for the 1,700 mile long river in Venezuela.
"The Siege" - DS9. "Our Man Bashir" - DS9.
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USS Rio Grande NCC-72452
One of the first runabouts assigned to DS9. Crash landed on a Class L planet but was
salvaged. Used by Sisko to Bajor for a confrontation with Dukat.
Named after the river bordering Texas and Mexico. The only runabout to survive all seven
seasons for Deep Space Nine.
"Emissary" - DS9. "The Ascent" - DS9. "What You Leave Behind" - DS9.
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USS Rubicon NCC-72936
Assigned to DS9 in 2371. The Rubicon was forced to make an emergency landing on Bopak III
after hit by a Jem'Hadar subspace magneton pulse. The Rubicon was destroyed in the
Romulan-Cardassian attack on the Dominion.
Named after the river in Italy that was of strategic importance to Caesar in 49 BC.
"Family Business" - DS9. "Hippocratic Oath" - DS9. "The Die is Cast" - DS9.
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USS Shenendoah NCC-73024
In 2374, Worf and Dax took the Shenendoah went on a mission to extract a Cardassian deflector
from the Dominion base on Soukara. Nog and Jake Sisko used the Shenendoah to deliver a
diplomatic message to Grand Nagus Zek. The Shenendoah was saved by the
USS Valiant NCC-74210 while being
attacked by Jem'Hadar fighters.
"Change of Heart" - DS9. "Valiant" - DS9.
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USS Volga NCC-73196
In 2372, Kira, Bashir and Keiko O'Brien used the Volga in a three day botanical survey of
Torad IV. The Volga was to have been used in a massive response to an anticipated Dominion
invasion in 2373.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe. It flows over 1,900 miles from its source in the
Valdai Hills, northwest of Moscow. It empties into the Caspian Sea below Astrakhan.
"Body Parts" - DS9. "By Inferno's Light" - DS9.
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USS Yangtzee Kiang NCC-72453
One of DS9's first runabouts, it was destroyed in a crash on a penal-colony moon in the Gamma
Quadrant. Kai Opaka was killed in the crash, but was revived by the atmosphere, though could
not leave the moon.
The Yangtzee Kiang was named after a China river.
"Emissary" - DS9. "Past Prologue" - DS9. "Battle Lines" - DS9.
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USS Yukon NCC-74602
Used by Kira and O'Brien in 2372 for an inspection of Bajoran colonies along the Cardassian
border. The Yukon was destroyed by the
USS Defiant NX-74205 in 2373 when a
Founder hijacked it to destroy the Bajoran sun with a trilithium explosive.
Named after the river in Northwest Canada and central Alaska flowing 1,979 miles to the
Bering Sea.
"Sons of Mogh" - DS9. "By Inferno's Light" - DS9.
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Name Unknown NCC-73918
Used by Kira, Garak, and Damar in their mission to secure the Breen energy dissipating weapon.
"Tacking into the Wind" - DS9.
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Six Type 10 phaser arrays |
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