Cardassian Solar System
(Star Trek Star charts, © 2002 paramount, Geoffrey Mandel)
Sun: Cardassia
Type: Single
Spectral Class: K0V (Orange main sequence star somewhat cooler than Sol.)
Absolute Magnitude: -1.1
Number of planets: 8
Other: 2 asteroid belts
I: Class B (partly molten)
II: Class B (contradicted in the Terok Nor trilogy, where it is implied as Class
M, being host to an orphanage.)
Asteroid Belt
III: Class M (DS9: Prophet Motive) Where Orb of Wisdom was hidden till Zek
obtained it.
IV: Class M (Hutet) home to Hutet Labor camp (DS9: Homecoming)
V: Class M (Cardassian Minor) Home of a museum (DS9: Shadowplay)
VI: Class M (Cardassia Prime) One moon
VII: Class Q (variable due to eccentric orbit)
Double asteroid belt
VIII: Class I (gas super-giant) with rings
Cardassian Union
(Star Trek Star charts, © 2002 paramount, Geoffrey Mandel)
The Nature of the Union
(compiled from the Terok Nor trilogy and DS9 episodes)
The Cardassian Union lies on the mid and south western border of the Federation near Betazed and Trill. The Breen, Ferengi and Tzenkethi territories lie to the north, and the Talarians lie to the south. Note that these are arbitrary map directions based on looking down on the flat disk of the Milky Way with the Sagittarius Arm in the south position.
The Cardassian Union was once a trade alliance of colonies and newly discovered worlds centered around Cardassia Prime. At first Cardassia sent civilian representatives to negotiate a trade agreement with the governments of the resource-rich planets. They offered superior technology and system security for mineral rights on the planets and/or its moons and neighboring planets. Such alliances were amicable and reciprocal for the most part, each side gaining what it wanted from the agreement.
If the government were reluctant, however, the Obsidian Order would quietly engineer an internal and/or external threat to convince the locals that they needed the Cardassian Military to protect them. An example of this tactic was the occupation of Bajor. Over a ten-year period of time, the Bajoran government was "persuaded" of the need for an alliance with the Cardassians for their own protection. By 2328, Bajor was totally controlled by the Cardassian Military.
If the world were on disputed space between Cardassian and neighboring alien space, the Cardassians simply took the world by force. The government was replaced by a Cardassian prefect backed up by the military. A Prefect was a leader or governor of a planet, a colony, a local precinct or something as important as the Detapa Council. The inhabitants of the occupied world found themselves under strict Cardassian rule, many of them working for meager wages and poor working conditions in the mineral mines.
Over several centuries, the Cardassian Union became more like an Empire, its holdings enforced by Central Command and fleets of ships.
Even as aggressively as the Cardassian Union annexed planets, it is still the smallest of the great galactic powers. The Cardassian leaders feel threatened by this situation and need to prove themselves in the arena of galactic power. Some Federation political analysts attribute Cardassian aggression and feelings of persecution to this cause, however, and forget that to the Cardassians, larger powers represent a greater threat to the Union. That other powers could be friendly without dominating them is an alien concept. The concept of altruism is not a natural part of the Cardassian mindset.
The Demilitarized Zone
Retrieved from http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Demilitarized_Zone
The Demilitarized Zone (sometimes referred to as the DMZ) was a buffer zone established between the United Federation of Planets and the Cardassian Union, by the terms of the Federation-Cardassian Treaty of 2370. According to the treaty, neither side was permitted to deploy armed starships, or establish military bases in the Zone. In addition, the border between the two powers was redrawn, such as that ownership of several colonies was exchanged both ways - some Cardassian colonies were transferred to Federation control, and vice-versa. The colonists on the affected planets were given the option of resettlement, though most refused. Dorvan V was one of the Federation colonies that was turned over to the Cardassians. (TNG: "Journey's End")
However, many civilian colonists on both sides of the border objected to the transfer of control and secretly armed themselves, violating the peace terms that established the DMZ. The Cardassian Central Command began secretly shipping weapons to their colonists in the DMZ so as to oust the Federation colonists, using neutral species such as the Xepolites as intermediaries. In response, the Federation colonists banded together and called themselves the Maquis, dedicated to freeing themselves from Cardassian control. Although the Maquis gained no official support from the Federation, many in the Federation (including Starfleet) were sympathetic to their cause and covertly provided aid. (DS9: "The Maquis, Part I", "The Maquis, Part II"; TNG: "Preemptive Strike")
However, by late 2370, to help reduce illegal shipments, the Federation had established a series of checkpoints and sensor buoys along their side of the border. Any ship that crossed anywhere other than a checkpoint would be investigated by Starfleet. (TNG: "Preemptive Strike")
For the next three years, the DMZ was a hotbed of small-scale warfare as the Cardassian and Federation colonists conducted terrorist operations against each other. Eventually the Cardassian military became directly involved in the Maquis conflict on their side of the DMZ. However, in 2372 the Cardassians were forced to divert the majority of their attention to defending against the Klingon invasion in the Klingon-Cardassian War, leaving the Maquis practically unchecked in the DMZ. (DS9: "For the Cause") By 2373, the Maquis had been so successful that the Federation colonies were considering declaring themselves an independent state. (DS9: "Blaze of Glory")
The Demilitarized Zone was quickly overrun by the Jem'Hadar in 2373, shortly after the Cardassian Union joined the Dominion. As the Dominion moved towards open warfare with the Federation, the Demilitarized Zone effectively ceased to exist. (DS9: "By Inferno's Light")
Some Planets In/Near the DMZ
| * Alpha 441 | * Gamma VII | * Panora | * Salva II | * Valo II |
| * Aschelan V | * Hakton VII | * Portas V | * Solosos III | * Valo III |
| * Athos IV | * Juhraya | * Quatal Prime | * Tracken II | * Veloz Prime |
| * Bryma | * Marva IV | * Ronara Prime | * Umoth VIII | * Volan II |
| * Dorvan V | * Nivoch | * Soltok IV | * Valo I | * Volan III |
Other Planets/Systems within the Union mentioned in episodes
Almatha - Sector of the former Demilitarized Zone near Outpost 61. Defiant
System Name: The Arawath
System
Affiliation: Cardassian Union
System Type: Arawath, orange, bright, main-sequence star (K3 V)
Inhabited Planets: Arawath II (Class M)
Other Planets: Arawath I (Class F), Arawath III (Class H), Arawath IV
(Class K), Arawath V (Class F)
Other Stellar Objects: Cometary oort could outside the orbit of Arawath V
Artificial Objects: Cardassian satellites in orbit of Arawath II
SIS: Cardassian colony world and home to a secret Obsidian Order base.
Planet Name: Arawath II is
a Class M planet with two small moons. Its gravity is 1.2G compared with
Earth and has a year of 324 days and a day length of 21 hours. Its surface is
40% water concentrated in small lakes. Two places of note are the Jan'darin Mountain Range, known for its high peaks
and spectacular crystal formations and. Gosh'ent City, the planet's primary colony.
Located well within the
Cardassian border, Arawath II is an active and thriving colony. Although most
humanoids find Arawath II's hot, dry climate uncomfortable, it is ideally suited
for Cardassians, who find the planet's weather quite pleasant. Over the past
twenty years, Arawath developed a reputation as a fine place for older
Cardassians who prefer a warmer climate to retire, and a place for younger
Cardassians and families to carve out a niche for themselves. The colony has an
older than average population because of this, and a number of Cardassian
legates and other influential people retired to Arawath.
Because of the concentration of important people in the colony, the Obsidian Order maintains a secret base on Arawath, keeping a close eye on the population for any signs of trouble. There have never been any, but things on Arawath changed recently. The events of the Dominion War largely bypassed Arawath, it is too remote and has no military or strategic value. Now, with the loss of so many Cardassian leaders and officials during the war, many of the retirees on Arawath are finding their talents in demand once again. While some prefer to remain retired, or want nothing to do with talk of a "new Cardassia," many others are returning to serve the Union once again. Arawath II is fast becoming a center for political action in the Union.
Badlands - Area of space in the former Demilitarized Zone on a stretch of the Cardassian/Federation border which is plagued by plasma storms, making it quite dangerous to ships, but was the perfect camouflage for Maquis ships and is now used by pirates and smugglers to hide from authorities. The Maquis, Part I
Bryma Colony - System where a weapons depot is located. They supplied Cardassian colonists in the fight against the Maquis. The Bryma system has an Oort cloud near it which can hide small ships. The Maquis, Part II
Celtris III - Uninhabited Cardassian planet in the Cardassian Union, used to lure Captain Jean-Luc Picard into captivity. Also, home to a species of bats called Lynars. TNG "Chain of Command, Part I"
System Name: The Cuellar
System
System Type: dwarf blue-white star (B1 V)
Inhabited Planets: Cuellar II (Class L)
Other Planets: Cuellar I (Class F), Cuellar III (Class F), Cuellar IV
(Class J), Cuellar V (Class J), Cuellar VI (Class F)
The Cuellar System is located
along the Federation/Cardassian border, near several Federation sectors. In
2365, the Cardassian Union established a small scientific colony on Cuellar II,
along with Cuellar Nor, a large science station in orbit, supposedly to study
ancient ruins on the planet's surface. Cuellar II shows signs of terraforming by
an as yet unknown species, which left few signs of its presence. Cuellar II
is a Class L planet with one moon, gravity 0.9 that of Earth, a 289 day year, a
21 hour day, with a cold and dry climate.
Actually, Cuellar Nor was established as a military supply depot and launching point into Federation space, in the event of renewed hostilities between the Union and the Federation. Cardassian supply ships, running with high-energy sub-space fields to shield them from sensor scans, made regular visits to Cuellar Nor carrying weapons and other military supplies.
In 2367, the Federation starship U.S.S. Phoenix attacked and destroyed Cuellar Nor without warning. Tensions soared along the border as both sides prepared for war, but the Federation starship Enterprise, with the aid of Cardassian Gul Macet, were able to defuse the situation, and return the Phoenix to Federation space. NG: The Wounded
Dorvon V - Class-M planet located in the border area between Federation and Cardassian space. A group of North American Indians from Earth settled there in 2350 and established a village in a small valley on the southern continent. These people had originally left earth 200 years ago in order to preserve their cultural identity. In 2370 the Federation-Cardassian treaty placed Dorvan V under Cardassian jurisdiction. Admiral Necheyev ordered Picard to remove the natives from the planet by any means necessary. However, Chief Anthwara negotiated with the Federation for them to renounce their Federation citizenship and remain where they were and under Cardassian rule. TNG: "Journey's End"
Hakton VII - A planet in the former Demilitarized Zone where three Federation settlers were killed in retaliation for the destruction of the Bok'Nor. The Maquis, Part II
Haru Outpost - Cardassian military facility. Haru Outpost was raided by Kira Nerys and other Bajoran freedom fighters as part of their terrorist war against the Cardassians. "Past Prologue" (DS9)
Hathon Outpost - Location of a weapons depot commanded by Gul Pirak during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. Darkness and the Light (DS9)
Kelrabi - Planetary System that was the destination of a Cardassian supply ship intercepted by the U.S.S. Phoenix and the Enterprise-D in 2367. In Cardassian space. TNG "The Wounded"
Korma Outpost - In 2372 was the site of a conference in which Cardassian and Bajoran officials met to share information on the Klingons. The conference was disrupted by a Klingon attack that killed everyone at the outpost. Upon arriving to find the outpost nearly destroyed, Dukat fitted the outpost's system-5 disruptors to his shuttle, captured and commandeered a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, stranding the Klingon crew on the shuttle Groumall. He then destroyed the shuttle, killing all on board. Return to Grace DS9
Kraus IV - Planet. A source of fine silk used by Garak. Past Prologue
McAllister C-5 Nebula - Territory of Protostellar cloud located seven light-years inside Cardassian space, some eleven light-years from planet Minos Korva. In 2369, a Cardassian invasion fleet hid inside the nebula while apparently preparing to attack the Minos Korva sector. The fleet's time inside the nebula was limited due to the intense particle flux within, which caused degradation of the spacecraft hulls. TNG "Chain of Command, Part II"
Mariah IV - Planet that Valerian vessel Sherval Das visited when delivering dolamide, a chemical energy source, to the Cardassians. Dramatis Personae
Panora - Cardassian-owned planet in the former DMZ near the Dorvan system. Suffered extensive damage when the Maquis attacked it in 2373.
Pentath III - Cardassian colony near the Klingon border. Several governments collaborated to find a cure when the colony was hit with the Rudellian Plague in 2372.
Pollak V Planet in Cardassian space. The planet was attacked by Bajoran terrorist. Their first strike against the Cardassians off-world. DS9: Shakaar
Salva II - A Federation planet that came under Cardassian rule under the Cardassian-Federation Treaty of 2372.
Sector 21505 - Sector located in Cardassian space, a Cardassian science station was destroyed by the U.S.S. Phoenix. TNG "The Wounded"
Tohvun III - Federation planet which hosts peace talks with Cardassia. It's cool damp forests are a magnet for tourists who like to hike the slopes of the inactive volcano Mandara. The Cardassian Embassy is a Spartan, somewhat run-down administration building with adjoining residences.
Tormon V - M-Class planet inside the Federation near the Cardassian border which houses several smugglers who regularly make runs into Cardassian space. In 2369, Captain Picard, Dr. Crusher, and Lieutenant Worf traveled to Tormon V to secure "discreet" transportation to planet Celtris III for a covert Starfleet mission. TNG "Chain of Command, Part I"
Ultima Thule - Planet where a Dolamide purification plant produced weapons-grade dolamide. The Velarians supplied extremely pure dolamide, processed on Ultima Thule, to the Cardassians during the occupation of planet Bajor. Dramatis Personae
Umoth VIII - A former Demilitarized Zone planet where one of the Federation border colonies is located. Thirty-five Federation settlers had to be hospitalized after eating from Cardassian-sabotaged, public food replicators. The Maquis, Part II
Unefra System - System in the Cardassian system. Enabran Tain has a safehouse located on the third planet in the Unefra system. Improbable Cause
System Name: The Valo
System
Affiliation: Unaffiliated
System Type: Main-sequence yellow star (G3 V)
Inhabited Planets: Valo II (Class M), Valo III (Class M)
Other Planets: Valo I (Class F), Valo IV (Class J), Valo V (Class F)
The Valo system, located in the
Bajor sector near Cardassian space, is one of several systems settled by Bajoran
refugees during the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor. Both Valo II and Valo III
are Class M, although characterized by dry climate and limited natural
resources. The Bajoran refugees lived in encampments and settlements on the
surface of both planets. They lacked even basic necessities like food and
blankets, gathering whatever they could from the local environment, and trading
for or stealing the rest.
Valo IV is the home of an Obsidian Order observation post. (Terok Nor trilogy)
After the Cardassian withdrawal from Bajor, most of the refugees in the Valo system returned to their home world, although some chose to continue the fight against the Cardassians. A group of terrorists known as the Bajora operate from the moon of Valo I, which contains metallic deposits that foil sensor scans. They were led by a Bajoran man named Orta, who was tortured and mutilated at the hands of Cardassian interrogators. Orta covered his scarred face with a veil and used a speech synthesizer to compensate for his severed vocal cords, giving him an eerie presence. By his own admission, he had no interest in the freedom of Bajor or peace with Cardassia, he wanted only revenge against all Cardassians. Most of Orta's followers felt the same way. They used their small, fast ships to attack Cardassian vessels, plant bombs on Cardassian stations, and generally harass any available Cardassian targets.
The abandoned camps and settlements in the Valo system have become a haven for pirates, smugglers, rogues, and other unsavory types operating along the Cardassian border near Bajor. There is a thriving black market on Valo II, where customers can find nearly any item or service available in Bajor Sector.
Velos VII Internment Camp - Cardassian Prison Camp where Dr. Dekon Elig, a Bajoran, was imprisoned. He was killed in 2362 while trying to escape from the facility. Babel (DS9)
Disposition of Adjoining Worlds
The Federation had a couple of problems coming to the aid of outlying worlds near Federation space. Worlds actively being mined for resources fell in the category of belonging to another power. The Prime Directive forbade the Federation from interfering in what was an internal Cardassian problem.
Ownership of worlds that had been mined out and abandoned within the demilitarized zone were subject to negotiation between the Federation and Cardassian Union. Even space around abandoned worlds were jealously guarded as Cardassian Territory, although both powers regularly trespassed into the demilitarized zone. The Federation would attempt to bring aid to the abandoned worlds and the Cardassians would challenge the Federation ships, seeing them as a threat to their territorial boundaries. Giving up space under a treaty was difficult for the territorial (reptilian) mindset of the Cardassians. So there was a long period of hostilities between the two powers in the early 24th century.
With the aid of Dominion forces, more worlds along the Federation border were annexed for wartime materials. But after the Dominion was defeated, leaving a devastated Cardassia behind, many worlds lay abandoned and in desperate need of remediation. As Cardassia rebuilds with aid from the Federation, it remains to be seen how these former worlds will be addressed: as belonging to Cardassia, as candidates for Federation membership, or as independent worlds under the protection of the Prime Directive and/or another treaty with the Cardassian Union.