The Enterprise launches a Class-1 probe.
A Class-1 probe is a type of probe used by Starfleet ships in the late 24th century.
Uses
In 2365, the Enterprise-D launched a probe of this type to study a hole in space, created by Nagilum. (TNG: "Where Silence Has Lease")
Later that year near Drema IV, an Enterprise survey team, suggested that harmonic vibrations emitted by class-1 probes fitted with resonators fired into the planet would shatter the planet's dilithium lattices and thus alleviate the tectonic stresses that were tearing the planet apart. The plan was a success and the planet was saved from destruction. (TNG: "Pen Pals")
In 2366, the Enterprise launched another probe of this type to study a temporal anomaly in the Archer system. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")
Background
According to the "Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual", a class-1 probe has a deuterium microfusion propulsion system, and can send telemetry on 12,000 channels at 12 megawatts. And is capable of scanning the full EM/Subspace and interstellar chemistry pallet. It also has a Delta-v limit of 0.5c.
Apocrypha
- Class-1 probes are one of many attributes you can buy for your custom starship in the game "Star Trek: Starship Creator".