Delta Vega
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Delta Vega | |
|---|---|
| Class: | Class M planet |
| Location from Earth: | Edge of the Milky Way Galaxy |
| First episode appearance: | Where No Man Has Gone Before |
Delta Vega is a fictional planet featured in the Star Trek universe created by Gene Roddenberry. It is a Class M planet according to Star Trek planet classifications Canon. Class M is the designation for a small, rocky terrestrial world that can support human-like life because it has an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. Delta Vega resides near the Milkyway Galaxy's edge. The planet had an automated Lithium cracking station on it used by the United Federation of Planets to mine and process Lithium crystals into Dilithium which is necessary for warp drive propulsion on Federation Starships. The planet was totally barren and deserted. It was visited once every twenty years by cargo freighters.
The planet is important for two reasons:
- It enabled the starship Enterprise to supply itself with new Dilithium Crystals which had been burned out passing through the energy barrier at the edge of the Galaxy.
- It was the place that Capt. James T. Kirk attempted to maroon his Starfleet Academy buddy and shipmate Lt Cmdr Gary Mitchell (Gary Lockwood) after he mutated and gained god-like powers.
[edit] Trivia
- The matte painting used to establish the huge exterior of the Delta Vega lithium cracking station was done by noted visual effects artist Albert Whitlock. The painting was later modified and reused as the Tantalus penal colony from the Star Trek episode "Dagger of the Mind".
[edit] See also
- Star Trek planet classifications — A list of other Star Trek planet classifications.
- Class M planet — A more detailed definition of Class M.
- Where No Man Has Gone Before - Episode that introduced the planet Delta Vega.
[edit] External link
- Delta Vega article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki.
