Titan Fleet Yards

Artist impression of Aldebaran III

• Federation Member: Aldebaran III
• Member since: Early 23rd century
• Rationale: Colony world, status as member technically unconfirmed but generally accepted.

The Aldebaran colony is mentioned very early on in “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, the second pilot of Star Trek. At the start of the episode, the Enterprise has just picked up Dr. Elizabeth Dehner from the Aldebaran colony, where she was posted to complete a thesis on psionic abilities in humans for the College of Medical Sciences of the Tri-Planetary Academy. Most of this information comes from personnel files briefly shown in the episode. The Aldebaran colony may or may not be the same as Aldebaran III, but it certainly would be in the same solar system.

In TOS: “The Deadly Years”, Janet Wallace tells us she worked with her husband on researching methods to stop aging in plants while stationed on Aldebaran III. Much later, in DS9’s “Shadowplay”, we learn that Miles O’Brien’s father wanted him to go to the Aldebaran Music Academy, but instead O’Brien chose a Starfleet career. Also in DS9, a nephew of the Ferengi Grand Nagus was held by Starfleet on Aldebaran III.

An Aldebaran serpent

Things originating on Aldebaran are mentioned a few more times: Aldebaran shellmouths are creatures mentioned in “Amok Time”, Aldebaran whiskey is a famous green drink in TNG and DS9, an Aldebaran serpent is a rather strange creature seen in “Hide and Q”, and Doctor Phlox is not afraid to use Aldebaran mud leeches for various purposes on ENT.

These references all seem to indicate that Aldebaran is a sizable settlement, with Starfleet facilities and various centers of learning, including the prestiguous Music Academy. Although all this does not necessarily mean the world is a Federation member, it has generally been regarded as such. I don’t know exactly where this notion first appeared, but I suspect the “Where No Man…” novelization may be an early contender (if anyone can clarify this, I’d love to know).

However the idea started, the planet Aldebaran III (or Alpha Tauri III, to give it it’s precise name) was featured in a lot of fan material. In Star Trek: Maps, Aldebaran is described as a major Federation port, home to the New Aberdeen Naval Yards and a small native humanoid population. The Aldebaran shellmouth is a well-known delicacy. Aldebaran became a UFP member in 2207. The New Aberdeen shipyards are also name checked in the TNG novel Infiltrator by W. R. Thompson and in the USS Khai Tam Technical Orientation Manual by Kevin McNulty. Ships of the Star Fleet mentions New Canberra as a port on Aldebaran.

The DS9 short story “Old Souls”, published in The Lives of Dax, recalls the 2224 Olympic Games held on Aldebaran. There are also a few starships named after the world: FASA lists the Loknar-class frigate USS Aldebaran existing in the 23rd century, and a Nebula-class USS Aldebaran plays a role in the Deep Space Nine: Avatar novels.