A Hirogen relay station
A Communication relay station, or simply relay station, was a technical platform designed to receive communications signals and re-transmit them to other stations in a larger communications network. Organizations and species including the Hirogen, the Dominion and the Federation used relays as part of networks for communication purposes. Subspace relay stations, usingSubspace communication, were common.
These stations could be manned or unmanned, space- or planet-based. Relay stations could be manned by a small crew of as few as two officers. Federation stations were considered as outposts. (TNG: "Aquiel")
Security Relay Station One was a manned station operated by the Kes of Kesprytt III in 2370. (TNG: "Attached")
In 2373, during the Dominion War, General Martok destroyed a relay station at Felton Prime, managing to do so before the Cardassians even realized he was there. (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")
In 2374, the USS Voyager discovered several relay stations, parts of an extensive network controled by the Hirogen. The stations used quantum singularity power sources and could be accessed by subspace transceivers. (VOY: "Message in a Bottle", "Hunters")
Known Federation relay stations
- Relay Station 001
- Relay Station 47
- Relay Station 182-A
- Relay Station 194
- Relay Station 452
- Wormhole relay station