Runabout (Star Trek)

Runabouts ("Danube-class" vessels) are a fictional class of small, multi-purpose starships appearing in the Star Trek science-fiction franchise, primarily the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which aired on syndicated television between 1993 and 1999. They served as a means of transport for the crew of the fictional space station Deep Space Nine, in the early seasons of the series enabling storylines taking place away from the station.

This spacecraft design was created primarily by Herman Zimmerman, Rick Sternbach and Jim Martin in the 1990s for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and later used throughout the franchise such as in books, comics, and games.<ref name=Okuda423/>

Role in Deep Space NineEdit

The idea for a ship based on a runabout was prompted by the need to provide a way for characters to travel away from Deep Space Nine, allowing the series to feature Star TrekTemplate:'s themes of exploration and discovery despite being set on a stationary space station.Template:Citation needed In order to help the new show establish its own identity separate from The Next Generation, the decision was made to have something larger and more capable than the shuttlecraft seen in previous series of Star Trek.<ref>Reeves-Stevens & Reeves-Stevens, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, p. 36</ref>

The series bible describes the Danube-class vessels as "the symbol of the Federation presence in [Deep Space NineTemplate:'s] sector".<ref>Reeves-Stevens & Reeves-Stevens, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, p. 83</ref> The Starfleet design elements were intended as a touch of familiarity for the characters (and in turn, the viewers) in environments dominated by alien designs and structures, specifically the Cardassians and Bajorans.<ref>Reeves-Stevens & Reeves-Stevens, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, pp.83 & 143</ref>

From the third season of DS9 onwards, much of the exploration aspect of the series was facilitated by the starship USS Defiant, which took over much of the runabouts' previous role in allowing characters to move off the station.<ref name=Pierce>Pierce, New ship to defy constraints on 'DS9Template:', p. C6</ref> Defiant was introduced because the producers wanted the series to enable more than two or three characters to travel away from Deep Space Nine at once, while the introduction of the Dominion as an antagonist during the second season created the in-universe requirement for a more powerful and combat-capable starship based at Deep Space Nine.<ref name=Pierce/>

Design and depictionEdit

Overall design of the runabout was supervised by Herman Zimmerman, with Rick Sternbach and Jim Martin responsible for the design work.<ref name=Okuda423/> According to Sternbach, initial designs for the Danube class were based on the 'Spacedock Ferry' that appeared in the film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.<ref>Reeves-Stevens & Reeves-Stevens, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, p. 125</ref>

The Danube-class vessels are larger than shuttlecraft seen in previous series of Star Trek, but significantly smaller than previously depicted starships. The runabouts are usually named after rivers on Earth.

The hull of the Danube-class runabout is shaped roughly like a long, rectangular box. A downward-curving 'wing' is located on each side of the vessel; these start near the top of the hull, and curve down to the warp nacelles. The runabout's impulse drives are located between the wings and the vessel's body. The Deep Space Nine Technical Manual gives the runabout's dimensions as Template:Convert long, Template:Convert wide, and Template:Convert high.<ref>Zimmerman, Sternbach, & Drexler, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Technical Manual, p. 140</ref>

The runabouts have a two-person flight crew, and can carry two other crew.<ref name=Okuda423/> They are fitted with a two-person transporter and accommodation bunks for long missions.<ref name=Okuda423/><ref name=ErdmannBlock127>Erdmann & Block, Star Trek 101, p. 127</ref> According to the first season episode "Dax", they were capable of speeds up to Warp 5. Although not explored in the series, background materials indicate the runabout had a modular mission payload system, where the middle section of the runabout could be swapped out for modules carrying different equipment.<ref name=Okuda423/>

SetsEdit

The cockpit set was designed by Joseph Hodges, and constructed over a nine-week period.<ref name=Okuda423/><ref name=Nemeck251>Nemeck, Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, p. 251</ref> The set was laid out with the two flight crew facing forward and out the windows, while consoles for the two other crew have them facing the sides of the runabout.<ref name=HilleSchnINT>Hillebrand & Schneider, Variations of the Runabout interior</ref> The runabout's transporter was located in the centre rear of the compartment.<ref name=HilleSchnINT/>

A remodeling of the set occurred between the second and third seasons, with the primary change being new computer consoles around the cockpit.<ref name=HilleSchnINT/> Another major overhaul occurred between seasons four and five, with the transporter bay moved aft behind a large door (which was usually kept open), and a free-standing console added in its place.<ref name=HilleSchnINT/>

The set was redressed on four occasions to serve as the control areas of other vessels: a Maquis raider during "Caretaker", the pilot episode of Star Trek: Voyager, mirror universe ships in DS9 season three episode "Through the Looking Glass" and season four episode "Shattered Mirror", and a shuttlecraft from USS Enterprise-E in the film Star Trek: Insurrection.<ref name=HilleSchnINT/>

A set for the runabout's aft living quarters was built for "Timescape", an episode in the sixth season of The Next Generation (running concurrently with DS9Template:'s first season).<ref name=Nemeck251/> The set was designed by Richard James, and was funded from The Next GenerationTemplate:'s budget, in order to take pressure off DS9Template:'s finances.<ref name=Okuda423/><ref name=Nemeck251/> Unlike the cockpit construction, design and fabrication of the aft set had to be completed in nine days.<ref name=Nemeck251/> This was the only appearance of the Danube class outside of DS9, and although the set was intended for use on DS9, it was never used again to depict a runabout's interior.<ref name=Okuda423>Okuda & Okuda, The Star Trek Encyclopedia, p. 423</ref><ref name=Nemeck251/>

Filming modelsEdit

Template:Expand section The filming model was built by Tony Meininger.<ref name=Okuda423/> Filming of the runabout was done by Image G, along with all other miniature effect work for the series.<ref>Reeves-Stevens & Reeves-Stevens, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, p. 225</ref>

One runabout, USS Ganges, appeared in season one episode "Past Prologue" with a 'roll-bar' mounted over the top of the ship.<ref name=Okuda168>Okuda & Okuda, The Star Trek Encyclopedia, p. 168</ref> This roll-bar, described as containing sensor equipment, was added to the model to help viewers distinguish between Ganges and the runabout USS Yangtzee Kiang during a chase sequence.<ref name=Okuda168/>

Eight subsequent episodes of DS9 show Danube-class ships with roll-bars, including second season episode "The Maquis, Part II", where two runabouts with roll-bars are depicted flying alongside a third, without the roll-bar.<ref name=HilleSchn/> A prototype for an updated runabout design, the Yellowstone class, appears in an alternate timeline depicted in the Voyager episode "Non Sequitur".<ref name=HilleSchn>Hillebrand & Schneider, Runabouts with Rollbars</ref> This episode used stock footage from various DS9 episodes; incongruously, the runabout's destruction depicts the vessel with a roll-bar, while all previous scenes show the vessel without one.<ref name=HilleSchn/>

Season six episode "One Little Ship" had a runabout carrying Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell), Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig), and Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) shrunk down to tiny size, then having to rescue the rest of the cast when Defiant is captured by the Dominion.<ref>Kaplan, One Little Ship, pp. 39-40</ref> Screenwriter René Echevarria conceived the 'little ship show' idea as a comedic filler episode early in The Next GenerationTemplate:'s run, but despite suggesting it multiple times, did not receive the chance to go ahead until late in DS9Template:'s run.<ref>Kaplan, One Little Ship, p. 39</ref> Meiniger built a new, Template:Convert-long runabout model: dialogue in the episode specified that the runabout had shrunk to Template:Convert, but a model that small would have had problems with lighting and detail.<ref>Kaplan, One Little Ship, pp. 40-1</ref> The model was mounted on a specially built three-axis head, which allowed for easier miniature effect work than with the original filming model.<ref>Kaplan, One Little Ship, p. 41</ref>

Computer-generated imagery modelEdit

The first CGI ship ever used in the Star Trek franchise was created by Dennis Blakey and Dorene Haver at VisionArt. It was a 3D computer model of the "Runabout" shuttle for Star Trek: The Next Generation. Previously, Star Trek had exclusively used physical models, which at the time were composited by Adam Howard and Steve Scott at Digital Magic. VisionArt's 3D model of the Runabout was primarily used for the stretching effect when it jumped to warp.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season six episode "Change of Heart" later depicted a runabout traversing an asteroid field, then landing on a planet.<ref name=KaplanVisFX>Kaplan, Visual Effects, pp. 57-8</ref> This was the first episode in which runabout sequences were done completely with computer-generated imagery: complex scenes where the ship weaved through the dense asteroid field were achieved without weeks of miniature effect work, and camera movements during the landing sequence allowed the runabout to be shown from multiple angles in the same scene, as there was no need to conceal a 'mounting point' for the miniature.<ref name=KaplanVisFX/> The CGI model for the Danube class was developed by Digital Muse.<ref name=KaplanVisFX/>

AppearancesEdit

Danube classEdit

Named ships not known to be destroyed are in boldface

Name	Registry	Depiction	Fate	Named for
USS Danube	NX-72003	First ship of the class. Mentioned in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual.		Notable river in Central Europe.
USS Gander	NCC-73624	Taken by Ezri Dax to search for Worf.<ref name="Penumbra">Template:Cite episode</ref>	Destroyed by the Jem'Hadar.<ref name="Penumbra" />	River in Canada or river in France
USS Ganges	NCC-72454	Captured Tahna Los.<ref name="Past Prologue">.Template:Cite episode</ref> Rescued Vash from the Gamma Quadrant.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	Destroyed by a T'Lani Munitions Cruiser.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	Notable river in India
USS Mekong	NCC-72617	Helps rescue Benjamin Sisko from the Jem'Hadar.<ref name="Jem'Hadar">Template:Cite episode</ref>	Abandoned during the Obsidian Order/Tal Shiar attack on the Founder's homeworld in the Omarian Nebula, presumably destroyed.	Notable river in Southeast Asia
USS Orinoco	NCC-72905	Helps rescue Benjamin Sisko from the Jem'Hadar.<ref name="Jem'Hadar" />	Destroyed by the Cardassian terrorist group The True Way.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	River in South America
USS Rio Grande	NCC-72452	Vessel aboard which Jadzia Dax and Benjamin Sisko discover the Bajoran wormhole.<ref name="Emissary">Template:Cite episode</ref> Later located the missing Sword of Kahless. Helps rescue Sisko from the Jem'Hadar.<ref name="Jem'Hadar" />	Longest surviving DS9 runabout.	Major river in North America
USS Rubicon	NCC-72936	Added to Deep Space Nine's fleet in episode ”Family Business” to replace Mekong. Shrunk to 6.5 centimeters in episode ”One Little Ship”.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	Abandoned, and presumably destroyed, in episode ”The Die is Cast”.	River in Italy famous as boundary crossed by Julius Caesar on his march to Rome
USS Shenandoah	NCC-73024	Taken by Jadzia Dax and Worf to rescue a Cardassian informant from the Dominion.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	Severely damaged by the Jem'Hadar, and presumably destroyed, en route to deliver diplomatic message to Grand Nagus Zek.<ref name="Valiant">Template:Cite episode</ref>	Eponymous river of the Shenandoah Valley in the United States
USS Volga	NCC-73196	Participates in botanical survey of Torad IV.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	unknown	Longest and largest river in Europe
USS Yangtzee Kiang	NCC-72453	Hijacked by Bajoran terrorist Tahna Los.<ref name="Past Prologue" />	Became the first DS9 runabout to be destroyed when it crashed on a moon in the Gamma Quadrant.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	Longest river in Asia
USS Yukon	NCC-74602	Stolen by Founder in failed attempt to destroy the Bajoran sun.	Destroyed by USS Defiant.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	Major river in northwestern North America
Unknown	Unknown	Transports Enterprise-D staffers to and from conference.	Destroyed blocking power transfer between Enterprise and a Romulan warbird.<ref name="Timescape">Template:Cite episode</ref>
Unknown	Unknown	-	Destroyed in orbit of Torga IV with the loss of all hands.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>
Unknown	Unknown	-	Destroyed on Ajilon Prime during the Klingon bombardment of the Federation colony.<ref name="Strong">Template:Cite episode</ref>
Unknown	Unknown	-	Destroyed by a Cardassian soldier at Empok Nor.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>
Unknown	Unknown	Used by the Cardassian Liberation Front en route to stealing a Breen weapon.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>	unknown

Yellowstone class (alternate reality)Edit

Name	Registry	Depiction	Fate	Named for
USS Yellowstone	NX-74751	Prototype for an advanced runabout designed in large part by Ensign Harry Kim and Lieutenant Laska in an alternate timeline.	Destroyed by antimatter containment loss.	A river in the western United States, also the first national park and a volcano

DisposabilityEdit

A large number of runabouts are damaged or destroyed over the course of the series. In the third-season episode "Family Business", Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) quips, "The rate we go through runabouts, it's a good thing the Earth has so many rivers" (referencing the naming tradition of the Danube-class vessels), and in Star Trek 101, authors Terry Erdmann and Paula Block comment that the series "goes through runabouts like potato chips".<ref name=ErdmannBlock127/>

The show's art department joked that any runabout travel should be done on the USS Rio Grande, referring to its distinction as the only Danube-class ship to survive the entire seven-season run of DS9, and therefore the safest one. It appeared in the series pilot "Emissary", the final episode "What You Leave Behind", and eighteen other episodes in between.<ref>Okuda & Okuda, The Star Trek Encyclopedia, p. 412</ref>

MerchandiseEdit

In 1993, AMT/Ertl released a 1:72 scale model kit for the runabout USS Rio Grande.<ref>Jackson, Spaceships at the final frontier, pgs. 4, 9</ref> During the filming of season two, one of these models was put together by the show's art department for a miniature effect shot where a runabout exploded, instead of having to assemble, then destroy, a more-expensive filming model.<ref>Reeves-Stevens & Reeves-Stevens, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, p. 236</ref> Later, the company released a 1:2500 scale model of Deep Space Nine itself, which included three runabouts to place on the station's landing pads.<ref>Jackson, Spaceships at the final frontier, p. 43</ref><ref>Waugh, Deep Space Nine Model Kit</ref>

In 1994, Playmates Toys released a "Runabout Orinoco" playset, in which two of Playmates' Template:Convert action figures could be seated.

A runabout was amongst the Star Trek Micro Machines produced by Galoob. As well as the standard toy, bronzed and silvered versions have been released in collectors' sets.

Several 'ship' cards from Decipher, Inc.'s Star Trek Customizable Card Game depicted Danube-class ships. A generic Runabout card (based on the appearance in The Next Generation) was included in the original set, with named runabouts appearing in subsequent sets.

Runabouts appear in several incarnations in the Star Trek Online massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Danube and Yellowstone classes appear as both playable 'small craft' starships and as decorative non-combat pets to be displayed when using larger starships. The Danube-class starship and pet correspond to the DS9 appearance, with the roll bar equipped. However, the Yellowstone runabouts have a different visual design to the ship's appearance in Star Trek: Voyager.

ReceptionEdit

In 2017, CBR ranked the runabout the fifteenth most powerful spacecraft of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They note they were an important vessel in the television show early on before the arrival of the USS Defiant spacecraft.<ref name=":0" /> They felt they were a big upgrade over smaller shuttlecraft of the period, and while they land the occasionally lucky shot against larger starships, they were no match for them in general.<ref name=":0" />

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