The Delta Flyer orbiting an icy Class L planet
The surface of a Class L planet in the Alpha Quadrant
In the Federation standard system of planetary classification, some barely habitable planets, planetoids and moons are classified as Class L. A Class L planet has an oxygen/argon atmosphere. (VOY: "The 37's")
An example of a Class L planet is Indri VIII. (TNG: "The Chase")
Skalaar and Jonathan Archer landed on a Class L planet in 2153 to escape Kago-Darr. They later landed on it to conduct repairs to Skalaar's Tellarite shuttle. (ENT: "Bounty")
The USS Olympia crashed on a Class L planet in the Rutharian sector in 2371. (DS9: "The Sound of Her Voice")
In 2373, Odo and Quark crash-landed the USS Rio Grande on a Class L planet after Odo was traveling with Quark to meet a Federation Grand Jury. (DS9: "The Ascent")
In an alternate timeline in 2375, the USS Voyager crash-landed on a Class L planet near the border of the Alpha Quadrant. (VOY: "Timeless")
A riddle presented by Neelix to Tuvok in 2376 contained the story of a Starfleet ensign, who crashlanded on a Class L planetoid. Such planetoids could contain hot water springs. (VOY: "Riddles")
B'Elanna Torres crash landed the Delta Flyer on a Class L planet in 2376 and was stranded there for several days but Harry Kim finally showed up with the part she needed to contact USS Voyager again. This planet appeared somewhat atypical of a Class L planet as it contained at least one region that supported lush vegetation and even a pre-warp civilization known as Kelis' species. It also produced rain and contained several landmasses and oceans or seas. Little was seen of the planet's surface, so perhaps the remainder of the planet was far less hospitable and more standard for a Class L planet. (VOY: "Muse")
In 2378, a Class L planet was found by Hierarchy members Nar and Zet as a settlement site for the crew of the USS Voyager after they confiscated their warp core. (VOY: "Renaissance Man")
| Planetary classification |
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| B • D • G • H • J • K • L • M • N • R • T • Y • Other classes |
Background information
According to the Star Trek: Star Charts, on page 25, Class L planets were "marginal" planets. They had an age that ranged from 4-10 billion years and a diameter between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometers. Marginal planets were located within the ecosphere of a solar system. They were categorized by a rocky and barren surface with little surface water and an atmosphere of oxygen/argon with a high concentration of carbon dioxide. Native lifeforms were limited to plant life, although the majority of Class L planets were suitable for humanoid colonization.