10 Star Trek Characters Who Own Their Own Starship

The Star Trek franchise has introduced and showcased a wide variety of impressive starships throughout its numerous series and feature films. Every iteration of the USS Enterprise holds a place of special significance for generations of fans, with other ships attempting to measure up or even technologically succeed the franchise’s signature ship. Alongside Starfleet and the armadas of other galactic powers like the Klingons, Vulcans, and Romulans, however, independent operators throughout the galaxy possess their own vessels for transportation, trade, or other purposes.

Throughout the expansive timeline of the Star Trek multiverse, certain characters who control their own personal ships, each unique in design and purpose. With a diverse range of alien species, technologies, and locations showcased throughout Star Trek, it’s evident that no two ships – or shipowners – are exactly alike. Spanning the gap from Earth’s first manned warp flight to the late 32nd century, a galaxy of mechanical and intellectual evolution accompanies each character’s journey among the stars. Here’s a look at ten Star Trek characters outside of Starfleet who own their own starship.

10

Zephram Cochrane – The Phoenix

Star Trek: First Contact

The Phoenix, constructed by Dr. Zephram Cochrane (James Cromwell), was first seen in Star Trek: First Contact. The first man-made spacecraft to achieve Warp One, Cochrane’s Phoenix was created from the titanium casing of a US Air Force nuclear missile and featured extendable twin nacelles. Occupying an important position in Earth and United Federation of Planets’ history, the flight of the Phoenix marked humanity’s first warp flight and Earth’s clear emergence into outer space.

The Phoenix’s inaugural warp flight attracted the attention of the Vulcan ship, T-Plana-Hath, and led to Earth’s official First Contact with an alien species – the Vulcans. The anniversary of the Phoenix’s groundbreaking flight is commemorated annually as First Contact Day (April 5). The iconic achievement of Zephram Cochrane’s Phoenix marked a turning point in human history that ultimately led to the formation of the United Federation of Planets and established a legacy as a testament to humanity’s boundless ambition to explore the unknown.

9

Captain Thadium Okona – The Erstwhile

Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Prodigy

The Erstwhile is a small, class 9 interplanetary cargo freighter owned by Captain Thadium Okona (Billy Campbell). Okona’s cargo carrier was first seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 2, episode 4, “The Outrageous Okona.” Initially depicted as a somewhat limited and outdated vessel capable of interstellar travel, the Erstwhile required repair for a faulty guidance system and received assistance from the USS Enterprise-D.

Later appearing in Star Trek: Prodigy, season 1, episode 14, “Crossroads,” the retrofitted and distinctive Erstwhile is capable of speeds up to warp 4 and serves as Okona’s transport and customized base of operations. Though information on this vessel is limited, the robust practicality and mysterious nature of the Erstwhile mirrors its resourceful and enigmatic owner, Captain Okona.

8

Quark – Quark’s Treasure

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Quark’s Treasure was a formidable and warp-capable Ferengi shuttle that belonged to Quark (Armin Shimerman), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s most prominent Ferengi bartender and entrepreneur. Described by Quark’s brother Rom (Max Grodenchik) as able to outrun a Romulan interceptor, Quark’s Treasure was technologically advanced and able to travel great distances without requiring maintenance. The 24th-century shuttle was used for a variety of personal and business ventures, including smuggling, and given to Quark by his cousin as a repayment of a latinum business loan.

Quark’s Treasure met an untimely end when sabotage of the ship’s command sequencer resulted in a chaotic crash landing and temporal displacement. While repairs were successful enough to allow the shuttle’s crew to return home, Quark’s Treasure was ultimately deemed irreparable, written off, and sold for salvage.

7

Kasidy Yates – SS Xhosa & Freighter

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Kasidy Yates (Penny Johnson) was a human freighter captain who established Kasidy Yates Interstellar Freights. Yates initially commanded the SS Xhosa, a small cargo vessel, under the authority of the Petarians, utilized for cargo and supply runs as an independent transporter and later for the Bajoran Ministry of Commerce. The SS Xhosa, an outdated cruiser with basic weaponry, a cargo hold, and small crew quarters, was built at the Luna Shipyards during the 23rd century.

However, after Yates surrendered to the authorities for her actions as a Maquis sympathizer in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, season 4, episode 22, “For the Cause,” Starfleet seized and impounded the vessel. Following her imprisonment, Yates continued her work as a cargo transporter with an active Bajoran Antares-class Freighter. These ships became symbolic of determination and resilience in the face of challenges, exemplifying Yates’ unwavering commitments.

6

Ambassador Spock – Jellyfish

Star Trek (2009)

In Star Trek (2009), the Jellyfish was a cutting-edge Starship created by the Vulcan Science Academy to transport a material known as “red matter.” Equipped with sophisticated late 24th-century technology – including warp drive, red matter storage chamber, and four forward-facing torpedo launchers – the Jellyfish was considered the fastest ship in the VSA’s fleet. Piloted by Ambassador Spock (Leonard Nimoy), the Jellyfish was used in an attempt to prevent great destruction caused by Romulus’ sun going supernova in 2387. However, the use of red matter to create an artificial black hole resulted in the ship accidentally traveling back in time to a newly formed alternate (Kelvin) universe.

Following its disappearance into the past, the Jellyfish was ultimately destroyed when Spock’s alternate reality counterpart (Zachary Quinto) piloted a collision course with an attacking vessel – the Narada – causing the red matter to ignite. The Jellyfish was destroyed in the Kelvin reality, but likely listed as missing, presumed destroyed, in the Prime universe following its disappearance after the supernova.

5

Nero – Narada

Star Trek (2009)

In Star Trek (2009), the Narada was a late 24th-century Romulan mining vessel commanded by Nero (Eric Bana). After being pulled into a black hole following the supernova of Romulus’ sun in 2387, the Narada emerged in the year 2233. Its encounter with the USS Kelvin led to the formation of an alternate reality known as the Kelvin Timeline. Equipped with advanced weaponry and technology, including a complex missile system and a high-energy drilling beam that disrupted local communication and transporter signals, the Narada posed a major threat to the galaxy in the last 23rd century.

Twenty-five years later, Nero used the Narada (in the Kelvin Timeline) to attack the Klingons and a small Federation fleet. Taking possession of Ambassador Spock’s Jellyfish ship and the red matter within, the Narada created a black hole that destroyed the planet Vulcan. The Narada was eventually destroyed when, during a similar attempt to destroy Earth, the Kelvin Timeline Spock piloted the Jellyfish on a collision course, triggering a black hole that crushed the Narada amid simultaneous fire from the USS Enterprise.

4

Cristobal Rios, Seven of Nine & Raffi Musiker – La Sirena

Star Trek: Picard

La Sirena, an unregistered Kaplan F17 Speed Freighter, was owned and operated by Captain Cristobal Rios (Santiago Cabrera) during the late 24th century in Star Trek: Picard season 1. Rios acquired the ship after leaving Starfleet and initialized its five Emergency Holograms, disrupting their functionality by deleting some of their memories. Equipped with a transporter, holomatrix, and Emergency Hologram installation, La Sirena was mainly operated through holographic controls.

At the start of Star Trek: Picard season 2, ownership of La Sirena passed to Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), who used it for humanitarian work with the Fenris Rangers. As captain, Seven merged the Emergency Holograms and neglected cosmetic repairs. In 2401, La Sirena was boarded by pirates while carrying medical supplies and later given to Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) for an undercover mission on M’Talas Prime. La Sirena was last seen when Worf (Michael Dorn) contacted Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in Star Trek: Picard season 2, episode 5, “Imposters.” La Sirena‘s status and ownership at the end of Star Trek: Picard is unknown.

3

Cleveland Booker – Book’s Ship

Star Trek: Discovery

Cleveland Booker’s (David Ajala) small scout ship made its first appearance in Star Trek: Discovery season 3’s premiere, colliding with Commander Michael Burnham’s (Sonequa Martin-Green) Red Angel suit when she arrived in the 32nd century. Booker’s ship’s abilities included morphing, allowing for different configurations, and advanced weaponry, such as directed energy weapons, a powerful tractor beam, autonomous navigation, and a cloaking device. It also housed a dilithium recrystallizer and utilized various propulsion systems like warp drive, quantum slipstream, and tachyon solar sails.

Book’s ship had a single deck, with the main cabin in a horseshoe-shaped pilot station with programmable matter control and holographic displays, an adjacent sleeping area (for Book and his Queen cat, Grudge), and five temperature-controlled cargo modules. Book’s ship was damaged and eventually destroyed when United Earth General Diatta Ndoye (Phumzile Sitole) piloted a USS Discovery shuttle on a suicide-style collision course.

2

Captain Vadic – The Shrike

Star Trek: Picard

The Shrike, was the powerful starship of Changeling Captain Vadic (Amanda Plummer) in Star Trek: Picard season 3. Rumors among the Fenris Rangers described the mysterious Shrike as a ship with an impressive arsenal. Armed with a wide array of destructive capabilities, including stolen quantum tunneling technology, the Shrike was equipped with a powerful tractor beam that could utilize anti-gravitational polarity phasing to throw spacecraft. The Shrike‘s advanced weaponry, from isolytic burst warheads to directed energy weapons, made it a frightening opponent in combat – and included plasma, proton, and pulse wave torpedoes and antimatter missiles.

Following the death of Vadic and her crew in Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 8, “Surrender,” the Shrike met its demise in 2401 with five well-aimed photon torpedoes from the USS Titan-A and cemented a legacy as an imposing, challenging, and powerful ship.

1

L’ak – L’ak’s Ship

Star Trek: Discovery

L’ak’s (Elias Toufexis) small but formidable 32nd-century ship in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is as mysterious and high-octane as the season’s villains, Moll (Eve Harlow) and L’ak. A grungy and possibly greenish appearance, and a curved single engine on the back add to L’ak’s ship’s cool and distinctive appearance. Tough and adaptable, L’ak’s ship appears to be an agile and responsive civilian trade or freighter-type vessel with an interesting-looking hull and detached, rotatable nacelles. The revelation that Moll and L’ak use technology hybridized from various species suggests that this nature might extend to L’ak’s ship.

Capable of firing numerous warp flares to confuse pursuers (described by Book as an old courier trick), L’ak’s ship is equipped with (at least) forward canons and photon torpedoes and capable of warp drive and impulse propulsion. L’ak’s ship also demonstrated an ability to cloak in Star Trek: Discovery‘s season 5 premiere, “Red Directive.” Although the full extent of L’ak’s ship’s abilities is currently unknown, more information is likely forthcoming over the remainder of Star Trek: Discovery‘s final season.

All Star Trek series (except Star Trek: Prodigy), and Star Trek (2009), are available for streaming on Paramount+.

Star Trek: First Contact is available to stream on Max.

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  Star Trek: The Next Generation

  Writers

  Rick Berman
  , Michael Piller
  , Brannon Braga
  , Jeri Taylor
  , Ronald D. Moore

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  Star Trek: Lower Decks
  

  Writers

  Mike McMahan

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  Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

  Writers

  Michael Piller
  , Ira Steven Behr
  , Ronald D. Moore

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  Star Trek: Picard

  Writers

  Terry Matalas
  , Akiva Goldsman
  , Michael Chabon

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  Star Trek: Discovery

  Writers

  Alex Kurtzman