Deep Space Nine was constructed by Cardassian engineers in 2351 and originally used as a base for the processing of mined uridium ore, from the nearby planet of Bajor. Christened Terok Nor, the station was headed by Gul Dukat until 2369 when the Cardassians pulled out of the area and the Federation took over.

Headed by the brooding, complex figure of Commander Benjamin Sisko, but operating within the boundaries of Bajoran law, Deep Space Nine would become a place of huge significance in the Trek universe.

A forbidding alien structure, the station was initially viewed as something of a Federation backwater. But Deep Space Nine rapidly became a focal point for both scientific exploration and political intrigue after the discovery of a nearby wormhole leading to the unexplored Gamma Quadrant. Commander Sisko ordered that the station be repositioned close to the mouth of the wormhole. This marked a crucial watershed in the appeasement of the Bajorans, who were distrustful of the Federation's intentions and viewed the wormhole as a site of potent spiritual meaning.

The station has been the centre of ongoing friction between the Bajorans and the Cardassians, as well as Starfleet's bastion in the Dominion war. Fear of attack by the Dominion's foot soldiers, the Jem'Hadar has led to Deep Space Nine's defensive capabilities being comprehensively upgraded. Part of this improvement centred on the introduction of a tough new star ship, the USS Defiant. Originally designed to fend off an insurgence by the Borg, it was one of the Federations only ships to have Romulan cloaking technology.

There are around 300 permanent residents on Deep Space Nine, although the station can comfortably carry up to 7,000 people. Key areas of the station include the Operations Center, the Promenade, Quark's Bar, and the six enormous docking towers for visiting stars ships.

There has been much speculation that the entire station would be destroyed in the final episode of the series, 'What You Leave Behind', broadcast recently in the US. However, there has been an equal amount of rumour suggesting that the station's mainstays - Sisko, Kira, Odo et al, would survive to appear in a future Star Trek film. Watch this space!