Epsilon IX station

Epsilon IX
Type:	Communication array
Owner:	United Federation of Planets
Operator:	Starfleet
Status:	Destroyed (2273) (Replaced by 2365)

The Epsilon IX station was a Federation communication array and subspace transceiver that was in service with Starfleet in the late 23rd century. This space station was located fairly close to Klingon space and, in 2273, was under the command of Commander Branch.

In that year, as the V'Ger crisis unfolded, Epsilon IX transmitted detailed information to Starfleet Command about the engagement, and subsequent destruction, by V'Ger of a Klingon cruiser task force led by the Amar. Epsilon IX was subsequently destroyed by V'Ger as it passed near the station and probably misinterpreted its sensor scans as a hostile action. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

Two models of Epsilon IX were mounted on two separate walls of the Starfleet Officer's Lounge. One was near where Admirals Kirk and Morrow had a conversation, while another was in the lounge's entry room. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

By the year 2365, a new Starfleet facility, the Epsilon IX Center had been constructed. The USS Enterprise-D was to visit the station before joining an expedition to the Epsilon Pulsar Cluster. (TNG: "Samaritan Snare") The station was mentioned again in the personal logs of Lieutenant Keith Rocha. The relevant log entry was transcribed thus; "Stardate 46460: More heavy traffic to the Epsilon IX station. I think Starfleet's got some big science project brewing there with at least half a dozen starships running around." (TNG: "Aquiel")

Epsilon IX personnel

• See: Epsilon IX personnel

Background information

The set for the interior of Epsilon IX was built on Paramount Stages 12 and 14, the set's construction costing US$40,000. (The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, p. 95) The footage filmed on this set was shot during The Motion Picture's postproduction period. (The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, p. 193)

At least three studio models of the Epsilon IX station's exterior were built, to show the outside of the station at different scales. (text commentary, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (The Director's Edition)) These were designed and built by John Dykstra's company, Apogee, Inc.. (The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, p. 211) It was one of the very few, if not only, designs not executed by either Robert Abel & Associates or Magicam. Still Andrew Probert managed to get some of his input in, "The communications station "Epsilon-9" was briefly looked at but the design and building went to John Dykstra's Apogee group. I had a second brush with that station however, when Trumbull asked me to write some appropriate dialogue to run over scenes of the station as background chatter.. This introduced the station without a big sign hanfging on it. I wrote several levels of dialogue and even stuck my own name in a lower level, but when Trumbull saw it, he had that level moved to the top, and you can hear a message from Commodore Probert if you listen closely." (Starlog photo guidebook Special Effects, vol. 5, p., 96)

For the pair of Epsilon IX models in Star Trek III, two of the studio models were reused. (text commentary, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (Special Edition) DVD)

According to Star Trek Encyclopedia (3rd ed., p. 141), the Epsilon IX station may have been located in the Epsilon IX sector, mentioned in TNG: "Samaritan Snare".

An Epsilon IX uniform patch was among many items that were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. [1]