Richter Scale of Cultural Development

Dr. Roeland Richter first published the Richter Scale of Cultures in 2203. Since then it has become the Federation's most important tool for determining at which point in a civilization's development the Prime Directive no longer need apply. Most first contacts missions take place when a society reaches a classification of G. Exceptions include planets that do not wish contact, planets that were already contacted by non-federation agencies, and planets that were contacted before the Richter Scale of Cultures was devised. The classifications in the Richter Scale of Cultures is not necessarily an in-order listing of power per se, although that usually is the case. Attributes like planetary government and non-aggressiveness are factored in. Ratings higher than our own (N) are extremely speculative since more advanced beings and races are not always forthcoming about themselves and we usually have no way of covertly or openly studying them.

Class	Description	Examples
AAA	No Known Intelligent Indigenous Life-forms	Ceti Alpha V, Manark IV, Melnos IV, Miridian IV, Nelvana III, Nervala V, Ohniaka III, Omicron Ceti III, Quazulu VIII, Regulus V, Septimus Minor, Sherman's Planet, Tethys III, Titus IV, Vilmor II, Zayra IV.
AA	Prehistoric Age (No tools)	Alpha Carinae II, Alpha Majoris I, Bardakia, Berengaria VII, Dimorus IV, El-Adrel IV, No'Mat, Ruah IV, Surata IV.
AS	Primitive Space Dwelling	Alpha Omicron System (Junior), Giant Amoeba, Nitrium Parasites from the Pelloris Asteroid Belt near Tessen III, Ordek Nebula (Wogneers)
A	Stone Age	Altair 3, Gamma Trianguli VI (Vaal), Hanson's Planet
AR	Primitive (RESTRICTED-NO CONTACT PERMITTED)	Tarchannen III, Tarella, Taurus II
B-	Agricultural Age	Malkus IX, Miramanee's Planet, Rousseau V
B	Metal Age	Apella, Capella IV, Sigma Draconis VI, Galvin V, Malurians (before demise), Rigel VII, Zeta Bootis III (Neural)
C-	Scientific Intelligence with No Tools	Janus V, Tyrellia
C	Scientific Age	Barkon IV, Fendaus V, Mintaka III
D-	Pre-Industrialization	M-113 (Before demise), Omega IV, Organian Society's Outward Appearance, Sigma Draconis III
D	Steam Age	Argo, Brax, Canopus II, Omicron IV, Rigel VII, Tartarus V
D+	Electric Age	Landris III, Minara II (Before relocation), Mintonia, Rubicun III (Edo)
E-	Liquid Fuels Age	Kraus IV, Loren III, Stakoron II, Suvin IV
E	Atomic Age	Barzans, Deneb IV (Bandi), Beta III, Mordan IV, Sigma Iotia II
F	Space Age	Alpha Carinae V, Altec, Argelius II, Balosnee V, Brekka, Kea IV, Penthara IV, Sarona VII, Straleb, Talin IV, Theta VII, Turkana
F+	Conscientious Space Age	Halkans, Marajaretus V, Norpin Colony, Tagus III, Thalos VII, Tohvon III
G	Fusion Age	Antica (Beta Renna System), Deneb II, Drema IV, Gamma Vertis IV, Jaros II, Ligon II, Manu III, Minos Corva, Nahmi IV, Niau, Ophiucus III, Regula, Selay (Beta Renna System), Sigma Draconis IV, Solais V, Thelka IV, Ventax II, Xelata
H	Planet Age	892 IV (Magna Roma), Angel One, Bre'el IV, Ekos, Elas, Kataan, Kenda II, Krios, Malcor III, Ornara, Phylos II, Quadra Sigma III
I	Star Age	Algolia, Altair V, Antide III, Barolia, Breen, Chalna, Corvan II, Gamelan V, Largo V, Ligos VII, Miradorns, Pakleds, Pelleus V,
J	Expansion Age	Alcyones, Berellians, Brakas V, Gault, Lysia, Mudor V, Nausicaa, Ogus II, Otar II, Qualor II, Sothis III (Sataarans), Shiralea
K	Introversion Age	Acamar III, Alpha Proxima II, Beta Antares IV, Coridan, Epsilon Hydra VII, Gamaris V, Mizar II, Narendra III, Nimbus III, Pelia
K+	Enlightment Age	15 Lyncis II (Cait), Bajor, Gaspar VII, Hoek IV, Hurkos III, Kurl (Before Demise), Mariah IV, Mataline II, Meles II, Memory Alpha
L	Power Age	Angosia III, Beltane IX, Benzar, Devidia II, Dopteria, Eminar VII, Epsilon Canaris III, Lenaria, Mantilles, Mariposa, Melina II, Midos V, Milika III, Morikin VII, Oceanus IV, Promelians, Rakhar, Rigel II, Rutia IV, Tagra IV, Tarsus IV, Vendikar, Zadar IV.
M	Ion Age	Alpha Cygnus IX, Ardana, Bilana III, Catualla, Canopus III, Dachlyds, Daran V, Delos IV, Deneb V, Gonal IV, Hurada III, Kaelon II, Kaldra IV, Krisa, Kostalain, Lemma II, Makus III, Menthars (Before Demise), Merak II, Nehru Colony, Zaldor.
MR	Ion Age (RESTRICTED-NO CONTACT PERMITTED)	Kavis Alpha IV (Evolved Nanites), Ktaria, Mab-Bu VA, Moab IV, Rigel VIII (Orion), Sarthong V, Tanuga IV, Velara III.
N-	Pre-Technocracy Age	Aurelia, Axanar, Beta Lankal, Beta Thoridar, Beta V, Beth Delta 1, Bolarus IX, Cardassia, Edo (Edoans), Ferenginar, Kora II, Malaya IV, Talaria, Tau Ceti III (Kaferia), Tiburon.
N	Technocracy Age	51 Cygni V (Tellar), Alpha Centauri, Alpha III, Andor (Epsilon Indii VIII), Arvada III, Babel, Benecia, Bersallis III, Beta Agni II, Boreth, Borka VI, Cygnet 1II, Deneva, Earth, Gideon, Gornar, Haven, Klaestron IV, Marcos 1II, Minos Korva, Q'onos (Klinzhai), Rigel IV, Rigel V.
NR	Technocracy Age (RESTRICTED-NO CONTACT PERMITTED)	Minos, Platonius, Remus, Romulus, Scalos, Sheliak Corporate, Tau Cygna V, Tholia, Tilonus IV.
N+	Civil Technocracy Age	Betazed, Caldonia, Chandra V, Danula II, Delb II, Delta IV, Efrosia, Icor IX, New Fabrina, Ramatis III, Tamaria, Trill, Ulians, Vulcan, Yonada, Zakdor.
N+PR	Civil Technocracy Age(RESTRICTED-NO CONTACT PERMITTED)	Gagarin IV, Torona IV.
NS	Space Dwelling Civil Age	Beta Renna Cloud, Beta 1II-A Entity, Calamarain, Crystaline Entity, Dikironium Cloud Entity, FGC-IVVII Entities, Gamma Canaris Entity (Companion), Space Jellyfish.
O	Techno-Power Age	Bynaus, Cerebus II, Legara IV, Medusa, Mudd, Sarpeidon (Before Demise), Vorgons (From the 27th Century)
P	Super Techno-Power Age	Amusement Park Planet, Dyson Sphere Builders, Iconia (Before demise), Old Ones of Exo III (Before Demise), Rubicun III (Edo God), Sargon's Planet (Before demise), Triacus (Epsilon Indii IV, before demise).
PS	Space Dwelling Super Techno-Power Age	Gomtuu (Tin Man), V'ger, "Whale" Probe
Q	Cloaking Age	Aldea
R	Exploratory Age	Cytherians, Tkon Empire (Before demise), Makers (of Androids on planet Mudd), Vians.
S	Transformation Age	Antos IV, Daled IV
T	Illusory Age	Melkotia, Prakal II.
TR	Illusory Age (RESTRICTED-NO CONTACT PERMITTED)	Talos IV
U	Dimensional Age	Guardian of Forever, Tau Alpha C (Traveler), Triskelion (Providers)
V	Altering Age	Excalbia, Trelane of Gothos, Kelvans, Pollux V (Apollo-Before demise), Pyris VII beings (Korob & Sylvia)
W	Galactic Age	Bajoran Wormhole Entities (Prophets), Dowds, Kalandans, Metrons, Preservers.
WR	Galactic Age (RESTRICTED-NO CONTACT PERMITTED)	Vagra II (Armus), Lactra VII
X-	Pre-Non-Corporeal	Discarders of Armus, Zalkonians.
X	Non-Corporeal Age	Organians, Thasians, Koinonians, Zetarians.
XX	Nigh Omnipotence Age	The Q Continuum.