A Doorway to Earth

The Federation's primary spacedock is the massive station orbiting Earth, providing service facilities for Starfleet vessels. Space Station McKinley, or Spacedock as it is generally called, is a large orbital multi-starship facility.   Its docking bays can services even the largest starships, with the capability of servicing about 80 starships and over 3000 shuttlecraft, runabouts, and fighters.   It is one of the largest space platforms built in the Federation.

Spacedock is eesentially the shape of a very large mushroom capable of fitting a Sovereign-class starship inside the upper structure along with other large vessels. Beneath the docking area, the station narrowed into a long stem. However, even at its narrowest point, Spacedock is significantly wider than even the largest Federation vessel.

Spacedock's main function is to provide a base from which to launch new vessels and undertake various upgrades and repairs on older vessels. It also provides facilities for serving Starfleet vessels while allowing the crew to take a vacation on Earth. The same design was used for other stations throughout the Federation; for example, Starbase 74 is almost indistinguishable from Space Station McKinley.

The station is also a diplomatic destination with many of the region's powers having embassies located aboard the station. These powers also provide representatives to serve on the Diplomatic Council, a forum to allow discussion of issues in a way that will hopefully prevent war.

Starfleet Command also has a set of duplicate offices on the station as an auxiliary for those stationed in San Francisco. At times of emergency or at other times requiring it, all departments can relocate to the station.

The Promenade offers tourists and other station visitors and opportunity to find fun and refreshment in the form of a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues.

The station is stocked with a fleet of runabouts and shuttlecraft, but it also has a starship, the USS Centurian, assigned to it for periods when a larger vessel is required.