Travel pod
A travel pod was a small Federation shuttle predominately used during the 23rd century by facilities like the orbital office complex and  to transfer personnel to drydocks or spaceships without having to use transporters. (, et al.)

Technical information 
The travel pod was a small craft that was hexagon shaped from port to starboard, with an overall boxy egg-shaped design, narrowing from fore to aft, with a slightly sloped front, and a circular docking port mounted to the flatted rear section of the pod. 

It sported a large observation window in front, and thrusters propelled the craft from the rear. Additional circular ports were located on the pod's dorsal and ventral sides. 

The interior also included a helm for piloting the craft and communications equipment capable of sending and receiving audio transmissions. 

The cockpit area of these pods could be flown with with or without two front seats; cushioned passenger benches lined along the rear of the inside walls. They could be piloted by a single individual while transporting up to seven passengers. (; ; )

Shuttles of this type 
 Travel pod 05
 Unnamed

Appendices

Appearances 
:

Background information 
Travel pods were identified by name in .

At least two travel pods that were numbered differently from those seen in the film have appeared in Paramount-licensed works. In early concept paintings that production illustrator Michael Minor created for The Motion Picture, a travel pod numbered "4" can be seen. (The Art of Star Trek, pp. 15-153, 168-169) The  had a diagram of a travel pod labeled 06.

In the book Ships of the Line (pp. 74-75), the travel pod was classified as a Mark II-B pod.

For information on the studio model, see: Travel pod model

External link 
 

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Federation shuttle classes