A Type 15 shuttlepod
Shuttlepods are small auxiliary craft that are attached to starships and starbases. They are often smaller than shuttlecraft and originally were mainly used for short-range travel with no warp drive. By the 24th century, however, advances in warp technology permitted some warp capability in craft as small as a shuttlepod.
Starfleet began using shuttlepods in the 22nd century as interface craft. As an example, two shuttlepods were assigned to each NX-class vessel as landing craft and for ship-to-ship transport. In the days when transporter technology was still in its infancy, the shuttlepod was the preferred method of transportation.
By the 24th century shuttlepods were assigned to starships to supplement the larger shuttlecraft.
The USS Defiant was designed to carry four shuttlepods, which were also capable of use by the crew to leave the ship in the event of a disaster.
Types of Shuttlepod[]
- Bajoran shuttlepod (Bajoran Militia)
- Shuttlepod (22nd century)
- Type 15 shuttlepod
- Type 18 shuttlepod
- Kivra class (Klingon Defense Force)