Starbases

[EmperorTiberius]

I think they are massive fortresses where damaged starships can seek protection. It would take a massive fleet to take one of those down. The enemy can't control a system until that thing is destroyed, otherwise, it could just send out ships on raiding missions, wrecking havoc on enemy logistics, and when pursued, they can simply run back into the base. Basically, same function as castles and fortresses in the middle ages.

 

[MaxPower]

I could only see a handful of mushroom bases or less being in Starfleet. For the bases themselves I can see them being drop off point resupply, and command centers more than starship building. I don’t see where it would make since to build fleets of ships inside a building if you have the drydocks as seen ST 1 and 2.

But then we saw a ship being built in Iowa so what do I know.

 

[Anwar]

They aren't shipyards, I see them as Battle-Docks to house ships for repairs/shore leave and to protect them from preemptive strikes.

 

[MaxPower]

I never saw them as shipyards per say but then the 1701-A and Excelsior seemed to spend a lot of time in the star base.

As battle-docks that is an idea that I am still trying to get my head around.

 

[NIUPonyBoy]

I could see it as a battle-dock, systems refit station and CNC for a sector etc waaaaay more than it just being some big thing the Feds just build for shits and giggles.

 

[Anticitizen]

Keep in mind that the word 'starbase' can apply to ground facilities as well.

 

[Deks]

Keep in mind that the word 'starbase' can apply to ground facilities as well.

Those were even referenced on-screen.

As for the mushroom star-bases ...
My personal opinion on them would be a combination of a city/starship construction-repair/defense-offense facility.
Probably also has numerous other functions.

As for having only a few of them ... I wouldn't be so sure.
In fact, it could be possible that each Federation member planet has one (apart from the new entries because of their 'novelty' status ... so they'd likely get a smaller starbase like the one seen in DS9 to establish a defense perimeter).
They existed in the 23rd century ... and by the time of the 24th century, I would surmise that SF was able to speed up the construction process considerably regardless of their size and beef them up.
Besides ... the starbases in question wouldn't necessarily have to be increased in size in order to house the Galaxy class for example, because I think they'd only have to enlarge the doors as the internal volume is more than enough to house numerous large ships.

And I really don't see any issues SF constructing those 'mammoths' ... they have 8000 Ly's of space and resources at their disposal, and with the tech in the late 24th century this shouldn't be a problem.

Also ... in addition to what Timo mentioned ... it's entirely possible SF can be using them to establish a foothold in systems that have no suitable planets for colonization ... but the system itself holds importance.
Extension of sensor range might also be true ... and providing vessels in deep space missions a quicker access to a repair/R&R facility.

 

[NIUPonyBoy]

Keep in mind that the word 'starbase' can apply to ground facilities as well.

True enough. I am more referring to the spaceborne 'shrooms. lol

 

[barnaclelapse]

I always saw them as little cities in space since they seem to have pretty much anything one might need.

 

[Deks]

I always saw them as little cities in space since they seem to have pretty much anything one might need.

Exactly ... but DS9 is also was also a mini city in space.
Starbases will essentially be cities in space regardless of how you put it.

One thing though ... we have little to no indication on how good of defense these stations have.
I would have personally expect a mushroom type starbase to be far more powerful with much more phaser coverage compared to Ds9.

Ds9 was essentially upgraded to Federation standards of the day in Season 4.
The reason the station was as weak as it was prior to that was because the Cardassians stripped the station clean before their departure ... and SF really saw no need at the time to rush with anything.
Once it was upgraded though, a whole fleet of 50 ships would be needed to penetrate it's defenses ... and that's after some time of combat.

Imagine what the mushroom type starbase would be able to do by comparison.
But I would surmise that a mushroom type starbase is a multi-purpose facility just like starships are with the ability to repair and construct ships if needed.
Ds9 was seen as capable of constructing a Defiant in the MU episode ... granted a makeshift yard was needeed ... but still, given the mushroom type dock already has most of the facilities necessary for starship repairs, starship construction is very plausible as well.

 

[C.E. Evans]

To continue with the city in space analogy, I always suspected those stations have actually large civilian populations that may (on some) actually outnumber the Starfleet personnel assigned there. In such cases, the station commander may deal with all things Starfleet-related, but there could be a civilian governor or council that may deal with civilian issues (commercial zoning, housing, etc.)...

 

[Deks]

To continue with the city in space analogy, I always suspected those stations have actually large civilian populations that may (on some) actually outnumber the Starfleet personnel assigned there. In such cases, the station commander may deal with all things Starfleet-related, but there could be a civilian governor or council that may deal with civilian issues (commercial zoning, housing, etc.)...

Which is not really surprising.
SF would likely be in charge on most of those facilities since they are the primary (and likely only) organization in charge of constructing starbases, ships and everyhting else technology-wise that is related to space ... unless of course we are talking about purely civilian outposts and stations ... in which cases I'd surmize the population would decide who'd be in charge and SF would only be there to help out in constructing the station for example ... but nothing else.

 

[SilentP]

I can't see any reason why Starfleet would be the only organisation within the Federation allowed to construct starbases. I can understand in terms of defence systems that there may be restrictions upon civilians and what they can arm any installations, and that there may be few civilian organisations with the resources to construct absolutely huge bases like the Mushrooms, but bases in general I can see civilians setting up.

 

[Finn]

I'd have liked to see a planetside starbase in an exoitic landscape such as a desert, polar ice cap, thich jungle or domed ones on planets with toxic atmosphere (a stragetic location might deem it feasible to do so)

 

[Deks]

I can't see any reason why Starfleet would be the only organisation within the Federation allowed to construct starbases. I can understand in terms of defence systems that there may be restrictions upon civilians and what they can arm any installations, and that there may be few civilian organisations with the resources to construct absolutely huge bases like the Mushrooms, but bases in general I can see civilians setting up.

Well, that's the idea.
Since we have 0 evidence to support the premise that there are different companies (as we define them today) in the Federation from Human side of the equation, I would say that most designs stem from SF first and foremost.
I agree that civilians are likely allowed to construct their own bases and whatnon without SF's permission, even arm them for proper defense ...
Most races in the Federation apparently have only 1 organization in charge of interstellar matters which are all integrated into SF.
And since SF is the main organization within the Federation in charge of interstellar matters, I'd say they'd be involved in most if not all aspects of it ... or at the very least help out the people to get started.

 

[EmperorTiberius]

I'd have liked to see a planetside starbase in an exoitic landscape such as a desert, polar ice cap, thich jungle or domed ones on planets with toxic atmosphere (a stragetic location might deem it feasible to do so)

The Farpoint Station looked decent, although fake.

 

[NIUPonyBoy]

It sure does seem that the Fed and SF are everything is everything and does everything. Makes me like the Maquis more and more. lol

 

[Creedence]

I think the 'mushroom' Spacedock is perhaps a one off example of starbase, especially since Earth is the site of a lot of Starfleet Departments, such as Headquatrers, the Academy, and the nearby Utopia Planitia Shipyards.

Not sure if this has been addressed... BUT, the Utopia Planitia shipyard is at Mars, not Earth.

 

[nx1701g]

Isn't the new Trek calendar showing how it got built?

One of the calendar images will show spacedock under construction.

 

[Ensign_Redshirt]

The name for the ShroomDocks is the Ouronal Class

Doesn't look like a Urinal to me.