Yesterday, I noted that Captain Picard ordered our science departments to use unmanned probes to complete all planetary surveys of Surata IV. These are the probes that will be collecting that data down on the planet. They are known as DOT-9s (“dot nines”), and are highly customizable unmanned robot drones, capable of operating where the crew cannot go.
DOT series drones have been in service to Starfleet for over 100 years. Our DOT-9s feature rotating heads (containing cameras and other sensor equipment), manipulator arms (with tool retraction capabilities), and four anti-grav thrusters located on their backs for propulsion. They also contain upright stabilizers for gravity environments, and deployable tool compartments appropriate to their assigned tasks.
DOT-9s are primarily used to repair exterior hull damage, however, they are also adapted for planetary exploration (within hostile environments), auxiliary science use, military recon, sensor scouting operations, and as mobile communication uplinks. When individually deployed to a planet, DOT-9s land inside protective lander vehicles. When their task is complete, they return to their landers, and the landers are propelled off the surface of the planet. The Enterprise then reclaims them in orbit.
These worker bots make life easier for our crew, and facilitate faster damage control. They are indispensable, non-sentient machines, and will likely remain in service for decades to come.
The less versatile DOT-7 model drones were in use aboard Constitution-class starships. Earlier models had different body configurations.
-Lieutenant Sam Archer
-------------------------------------------------------------
April 23, 2365 -- (Original Devron Timeline)