The Altair system, also known as the Alpha Aquilae system, was an inhabited planetary system in Sector 9, a region of space in the Alpha Quadrant. It was a unary star system consisting of the primary Altair and at least six planets. (TOS: "Amok Time", "Wolf in the Fold"; TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")
History
In the mid-23rd century, the Altair system was of strategic importance to the Federation in the mid-23rd century. (TOS: "Amok Time")
This system had been involved in a long interplanetary conflict. The inauguration of the new president on Altair VI in 2267 helped to stabilize the area. The Federation sent three starships, including the USS Enterprise, to this historic event as a demonstration of friendship and strength. This demonstration was intended to cause ripples to the Klingon Empire. (TOS: "Amok Time")
In the 2280s, a freighter could travel in nineteen periods from Altair to reach Gamma Hydra sector, Section 10. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
Darien Wallace was born on Altair IV on stardate 22991.6. (TNG: "Eye of the Beholder")
In the early 2360s, first officer William T. Riker refused Captain Robert DeSoto of the starship USS Hood to beam down to Altair III. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")
In 2371, Doctor Henri Roget of the Central Hospital of Altair IV was awarded the prestigious Carrington Award for his work in the field of medicine. (DS9: "Prophet Motive")
Landmarks
The Southern Vineyard was located on a planet in this system. (TNG: "Datalore")
Products
Products made in or associated with this system included the Altairian Grand Premier, Altairian brandy, Altair water, and Altair sandwich. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock;TNG: "Datalore", "Manhunt"; DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited")
Stellar Cartography
The Altair system was located in the constellation Aquila. This system was approximately 17 light years from Sol.
In 2259, the location of Altair was labeled on a stellar cartography chart that was seen on the USS Enterprise's ready room viewscreen. This system's symbol had a blue color, indicating that it was affiliated with the United Federation of Planets. (SNW: "A Quality of Mercy")
The system's location was labeled in a Federation star chart that was in Fleet Admiral Kirsten Clancy's office at Starfleet Headquarters in 2399 and on the bridge of the USS Titan-A in 2401. Altair was in or near to Federation space. (PIC: "Maps and Legends", "The Next Generation", "Disengage")
In 2401, the location of Altair was labeled on a star chart that was seen on the USS Stargazer's bridge viewscreen. The chart was used to show the location of the combined Starfleet-Borg armada and where it needed to go to face a galactic-level threat. (PIC: "Farewell")
In 3190, the location of Altair was labeled on a star chart used by Commander Paul Stamets for tracking the movement of the Dark Matter Anomaly through the galaxy. (DIS: "The Examples")
| Altair system |
|---|
| Altair III • Altair IV • Altair VI |
See also
Appendices
Background information
"AL-tair" was the pronunciation for this system's name from the script pronunciation guide for "Prophet Motive".
According to the first draft of the script for "Amok Time", the other two starships that arrived at Altair were the USS Endeavour and USS Essex. [1]
Information on this system was derived from the episodes and films, from the reference works Star Trek: Star Charts and Stellar Cartography: The Starfleet Reference Library, and from real-world sources. The reference works were used extensively in the creation of star charts seen in Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Prodigy, and Star Trek: Lower Decks. According to Star Trek: Star Charts (p. 44, "United Federation of Planets I") and Stellar Cartography: The Starfleet Reference Library ("Federation Historical Highlights, 2161-2385"), the primary of the Altair (Alpha Aquilae) system was an A-class star. In the 22nd century, this system was a destination on Earth and Vulcan trade routes. In the late 24th century, the system was largely independent, with only Altair IV listed as a Federation member.
According to the Star Trek Encyclopedia, 4th ed., vol. 1, p. 21, the star Altair (Alpha Aquilae) was the brightest star in the constellation Aquila the Eagle. This star was visible from Earth.
Apocrypha
According to the video game Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, the USS Constellation and the Klingon flagship, IKS K'lirta, engaged in combat at Alpha Aquila VII, before the Organian Peace Treaty.
External links
- Altair at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
- Altair at Wikipedia
- Altair system at the Internet Stellar Database