Starbase
A starbase or starship base was a permanent support facility operated by Starfleet, consisting of space stations, drydocks, and/or ground installations. Starbases were hubs of activity and could serve multiple military and civilian functions. (e.g., ; ; )

In late 2154, Earth Starfleet vessel  was assigned to scout Berengaria VII as a potential site for the first of a series of proposed starbases. () By 2167, Starbase 12 was in operation, Starbase 343 by 2256, and new bases were still being established as of the 2360s, e.g., Farpoint Station, Starbase 173, and Deep Space 9. (; ; )

Most Federation starbases were commanded by Starfleet officers, often a flag officer (e.g., ; ; ). Some, such as Deep Space Station K-7, were under civilian authority. () 

Federation starbases offered multiple services and amenities, often considerably larger and superior to that of any starship; these included:

 Starship maintenance, repair, and refitting (, )
 Starship design and construction (; USS Voyager dedication plaque)
 Fleet and sector command/coordination (, )
 Strategic defense ()
 Diplomatic, administrative, and legal services (, , )
 Sophisticated medical facilities (, , )
 Crew/supply transfers, trading, and commercial travel (; )
 Shore leave and recreation (, , )
 Personnel training ()
 Subspace signal for ship's clock realignment  ()

Starbases 
 Federation starbases

Appendices

Background information
In the final draft script of  (dated ), this type of facility was called a "starship base".

In the episode , this type of facility was called a "command base".

According to the , over five hundred starbases were located throughout Federation space and beyond.

As Starbase 343 was in existence by 2256 (), the establishment of Starbase 173 () almost a century later indicates that either Starfleet was not following a simple arithmetic naming system, or that the name "Starbase 173" had previously been held by a different installation.

The second draft script of  referred to Starbase 243, although that facility has not been referenced in canon.

External link



bg:Звездна база
de:Sternenbasis
fr:Base stellaire
ja:宇宙基地
nl:Sterrenbasis
 
Station types