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Bajoran/Cardassian Subspace Relay |
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TREKCORE > DEEP SPACE NINE > SHIPS & STATIONS > Bajoran/Cardassian Subspace Relay Maintaining stable communications over vast distances remains a problem for the Federation in the 24th Century. The modifications of a subspace relay finally allows for clear contact between quadrants.
Subspace relay stations are positioned in a vast network along the length and breadth of the Alpha Quadrant, facilitating communications between distant worlds and starships. There are limits, however; even though subspace radio signals travel at speeds approximating Warp 9.9997, the time delay and signal degradation that would occur in a transmission to the Gamma Quadrant, for example, makes communication between each end of the Bajoran wormhole impossible.
The problem is that the wormhole remains closed unless a vessel is travelling through it. Even when open, the intense electromagnetic interference generated within render subspace signals unintelligible. Starfleet transceivers have a variance of less then 0.1 percent, and the relay platform must therefore be modified.
The subspace relay station itself is a complex mechanism, with a disk-shaped central body, and three lengthy antenna arms protruding at 90 degree angles from the upper face and sides. The relay platform uses the same components that are often found on science stations and stellar observatories.
The main structure of the relay platform is dominated by a parabolic transceiver dish, which houses the primary emitter array; when activated, this emitter sends out a test signal that manifests as a glowing yellow beam of energy. The majority of the platform's instrumentation and primary systems are located within the disk-shaped hull; components likely to be found within include the main and secondary subspace communications gear and couplings modules, as well as data storage units, a computer system to handle signal routing and processing, and a power source. A series of thruster units helps the relay platform to maintain its position in the Idran system, at the far side of the wormhole.
Source: The Official STAR TREK Fact Files
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In order to get
around this problem, attempts are made in the year 2371 to
utilize a subspace relay platform 70000 light years away, in
the Idran system, at the Gamma Quadrant end of the wormhole.
The purpose of the relay is to enable Gamma Quadrant colonies,
such as New Bajor, and starships on missions through the
wormhole, to communicate with the Alpha Quadrant directly
through the wormhole, and also to act as early warning of an
invasion by Dominion forces.
On Stardate 48543,
three members of the Cardassian Ministry of Science - Gilora
Rejal, Ulani Belor, and Dejar - assist in the relay platform
project. A long, complex series of modulated graviton pulses
are transmitted to test the system's integrity, and to
determine which will best penetrate the wormhole's background
signal interference. 
Dejar, a member of
the Cardassian secret service, the Obsidian Order, is
instructed to sabotage the platform, but her covert actions
end up diverting a silithium-rich comet into the mouth of the
wormhole. The combined scientific team attempt to avert a
catastrophic chain reaction between the silithium elements in
the comet, but some manages to leak out. This actually has a
fortuitous side effect; the comet creates a permanent subspace
filament along the length of the wormhole. The presence of
this filament means that the relay has a 'channel' through
which to send its signal - an open window through the
wormhole.
