Type-9A Cargo Shuttlecraft
- Type: Heavy long-range warp shuttle.
- Accommodation: Two flight crew.
- Power Plant: One 150 cochrane warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse *Engines, six RCS Thrusters.
- Dimensions: Length, 10.5 m; beam, 4.2 m; height 3.6 m.
- Mass: 8.9 metric tones.
- Performance: Warp 4.
- Armament: Two Type-V Phaser emitters.
Short of a full-fledged transport ship, the Type-9A Cargo Shuttle is the primary shuttle of choice for cargo runs at major Starfleet facilities. Originally developed by the ASDB team stationed at Utopia Planitia, the 9A served as cargo vessel that carried components from the surface of Mars to the facilities in orbit. While able to travel at warp velocities, the 9A is somewhat slow at sub-light speeds, especially when carrying large amounts of cargo. The front of the shuttle is divided by a wall with a closable hatch, allowing for the aft area to be opened to the vacuum of space. The 9A also has the ability to carry one Type-M1 Sphinx Workpod in the aft area. A medium-range Transporter and atmospheric flight capabilities allow it to easily complete its tasks. While rarely seen stationed aboard all but the largest starships, the Type-9A is a common site at any large Starfleet facility.
In response to the need to transporter ground troops into areas heavily shielded, a variant designated the Type-9B was designed and is capable of carrying 40 troops and their equipment to the surface of a planet or interior of a space station. This variant has seen limited service onboard frontline ships, most notably the Steamrunner Class starship.
Major technological advancements in the 2370’s allowed for further upgrades to be made to the engine systems aboard shuttlecraft. These upgrades make this craft more capable of long-range spaceflight and, like its starship counterparts, no longer damages subspace.
