Workbee

Workbee

AWorkbee is a type ofworkpod, a small utility craft which is used throughout theFederation. The name, sometimes split into two words,Work Bee, is derived from the craft's small size and the distinctive yellow colour which most 'bees were painted. They are are also referred to ascargo management units.

History[]

23rd century[]

Workbees entered service in2268 and many were assigned to theStarfleetshipyardsorbitingEarth, including theSan Francisco Fleet Yards, and tostarships such as theConstitution-class. (TOSmovie:Star Trek: The Motion Picture;TNGmovie:Star Trek Generations;TOSreference:Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise;DS9reference:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

In the early2270s (7 March 2215 (SFC)),Patterson-Massey Corporation were tasked with designing and constructing a grabber sled attachment.CommodoreAndrew Probert came up with the initial design which was executed byUrco Galen, the projectengineer at Patterson-Massey Corp.

Cargo train attachments were also in use at this time. The expandable attachment allowed the Workbee to ferry several pairs of standard cargo containers to and from starships and starbases.

By2286, Workbees had started to be used as control cabins fordrydock crane machinery. (TOSreference:Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise)

24th century[]

In2319, theExcelsior-classUSSEnterprise-B carried a complement of six cargo management units, all equipped withtractor beams. (TLEnovel:One Constant Star)

By the late-24th century, Work Bees were still in use, assigned to Federation starships andstarbases as part of their complement of auxiliary vessels. (STreference:USS Enterprise Owners' Workshop Manual;DS9reference:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

In2372,CaptainJean-Luc Picard ordered command-level lock-outs to be installed on the Work Bee's and other auxiliaries assigned to theUSSEnterprise-E. (TNGeBook:A Sea of Troubles)

In2376 and2377,Federation construction ships carried workbees in their large cargo section. With sufficient resources, these workbees could construct variousspace stations. By then, theKlingon Empire and other powers had their own workbee counterparts. (STvideo games:Armada,Armada II)

In2381, Workbees were part ofVesta-class starships auxiliary craft complement. (VOYnovel:Children of the Storm)

By2382, a workbee was exhibited in astarshipmuseum. (LDepisode: "Veritas")

25th century[]

Workbees remained in service into the25th century. They formed part of the standardshuttlebay hangar complement of Starfleet starships in the2400sdecade. (STO -Tutorialmission: "Graduation Day")

In2409,star cruisers of theOdyssey-class with a specialization in theengineering division could deploy workbees during combat to repair the ship ad-hoc. (STO -Klingon Warmission: "Welcome to Earth Spacedock")

Known craft[]

Deep Space 9[]

AmongDeep Space 9's complement of workbees were 'bees05 and342. (DS9reference:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

DS9 II construction site[]

At theDeep Space 9 (II) site, workbee003 was one of the support craft that assembledConstruction support station 173. (ST -Typhon Pactnovel:Raise the Dawn)

Earth drydock[]

In2270, when theConstitution-classEnterprise returned from her firstfive-year mission underCaptainJames T. Kirk, workbee73 was one of at least eight 'bees operating in and around thedrydockEnterprise was assigned to. (Ships of the Line 2012)

Enterprise 1701 refit[]

Workbee603 was one of at least fifteen 'bees assigned to the early stages of theEnterpriserefit. It was also one of the few not to be colored yellow, instead being a metallic grey. (Ships of the Line 2006)

Enterprise-A[]

Workbee6 was flown byCaptainJames T. Kirk during a rescue mission in early2286 as part of a sizeable contingent launched from the newUSSEnterprise-A to repair a flotilla of damaged and strandedKlingon refugeefreighters located in theBriar Patch region. (ST -Preynovel:Hell's Heart)

Relva VII[]

In2364,0335 was a cargo management unit assigned toRelva VII's support services. (TNGepisode: "Coming of Age")

Utopia Planitia[]

Inhangar 06 atUtopia Planitia, row upon row of workbees were parked nose to tail. These included 'bees007, 013, 101, 123, 201, 316, 342, 345, 411, 512, 666, 906 and909. (Ships of the Line 2002)

Specifications[]

The standard Workbee cab measured 4.11 by 1.92 by 1.90meters, and massed 1.68 metric tonnes. It was operable by a single crewperson and could be used in pressurised or unpressurised states. (TOSreference:Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise;DS9reference:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

TheAlpha-class Model IV workbee was 2.7meters long, 1.3 meters wide, and 1.2 meters tall. Its particle-beamgenerator provided power for maneuveringreaction-control thrusters. (TOSreference:The Motion Picture Blueprints)

TheSTreference:Starship Spotter gives dimensions of 1.2m x 1.3m x 1.2m with a displacement of 2.23 metric tonnes.

23rd century[]

During the late-23rd century, the Workbee could provide 12hours of full life support for its operator, although there was noartificial gravity. Two M-1020 particle beam reaction controlthrusters provided the main propulsion, with small chemicalfuelled thrusters for additional forward propulsion when required. Reaction control was provided by 32 pulsed laser thrusters.Running lights were positioned on the port and starboard sides, and anavigation beacon on the dorsal surface. A large shuttered headlight provided illumination for EVA operations. (TOSreference:Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise;STreference:Starship Spotter)

24th century[]

By the late 24th century, life support systems had been upgraded to provide for up to 15 hours of breathable gases, drinkingwater and cooling. Power was supplied by fuel cells and microfusionEPS which was rated for 76.4 hours. Artificial gravity was optional, although most operators preferred a null-g environment while working around large structures to minimize disorientation. 25 discretecommunication channels were available for coordination of Workbee tasks. An optional astrionics package monitored thepilot's health and vital signs. If values outside of the normal range were detected, thedistress beacon would activate and the Workbee wouldautopilot back to itsdocking bay. (DS9reference:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

Attachments[]

Various attachments were available for Workbees to increase the variety of roles and assignments they could undertake.

Grabber sled[]

In the2270s, a grabber sled was introduced to facilitate deep space damage repair and standard external starship maintenance amongst other tasks. The sled was constructed by the Patterson-Massey Corp and came in two versions: one with forward-facing manipulator arms and ventral grabber arms; the other without the ventral grabbers. The grabber sled was still in use in the 24th century, but sometimes called a grappler sled, the arms of which folded underneath the cockpit when not in use. (TOSreference:Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise;STreference:USS Enterprise Owners' Workshop Manual)

Cargo train[]

The cargo train attachment was capable of expanding, enabling the Workbee to transfer one or more pairs of cargo containers. This attachment could also be used for passenger modules. The frame was equipped with RCS thrusters for added maneuverability. (DS9reference:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual;STreference:Starship Spotter)

Other attachments[]

A welder unit and a "metal spinner" unit could also be attached to the Workbee. (STreference:Starship Spotter)

Connections[]

See also:Work Bug,crawlabouts andunnamed small craft.

References[]

External link[]

• Workbee article atMemory Alpha, the wiki for canonStar Trek.