A Workbee is a type of workpod, a small utility craft which is used throughout the Federation. The name, sometimes split into two words, Work Bee, is derived from the craft's small size and the distinctive yellow colour which most 'bees were painted. They are are also referred to as cargo management units.

Specifications

Aft view schematic of a 24th century Workbee cargo management uni

The standard Workbee cab measured 4.11 by 1.92 by 1.90 meters, and massed 1.68 metric tonnes. It was operable by a single crewperson and could be used in pressurised or unpressurised states. (TOS reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise; DS9 reference: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

The Alpha-class Model IV workbee was 2.7 meters long, 1.3 meters wide, and 1.2 meters tall. Its particle-beam generator provided power for maneuvering reaction-control thrusters. (TOS reference: The Motion Picture Blueprints)

History

23rd century

Workbees entered service in 2268 and many were assigned to the Starfleet shipyards orbiting Earth, including the San Francisco Fleet Yards, and to starships such as the Constitution-class. (TOS movie: Star Trek: The Motion Picture; TNG movie: Star Trek Generations; TOS reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise; DS9 reference: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

In the early 2270s (7 March 2215 (SFC)), Patterson-Massey Corporation were tasked with designing and constructing a grabber sled attachment. Commodore Andrew Probert came up with the initial design which was executed by Urco Galen, the project engineer at Patterson-Massey Corp.

Cargo train attachments were also in use at this time. The expandable attachment allowed the Workbee to ferry several pairs of standard cargo containers to and from starships and starbases.

By 2286, Workbees had started to be used as control cabins for drydock crane machinery. (TOS reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise)

24th century

In 2319, the Excelsior-class USS Enterprise-B carried a complement of six cargo management units, all equipped with tractor beams. (TLE novel: One Constant Star)

By the late-24th century, Work Bees were still in use, assigned to Federation starships and starbases as part of their complement of auxiliary vessels. (ST reference: USS Enterprise Owners' Workshop Manual; DS9 reference: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

In 2372, Captain Jean-Luc Picard ordered command-level lock-outs to be installed on the Work Bee's and other auxiliaries assigned to the USS Enterprise-E. (TNG eBook: A Sea of Troubles)

In 2376 and 2377, Federation construction ships carried workbees in their large cargo section. With sufficient resources, these workbees could construct various space stations. By then, the Klingon Empire and other powers had their own workbee counterparts. (ST video games: Armada, Armada II)

In 2381, Workbees were part of Vesta-class starships auxiliary craft complement. (VOY novel: Children of the Storm)

By 2382, a workbee was exhibited in a starship museum. (LD episode: "Veritas")

25th century

A workbee with extended landing gear.

Workbees remained in service into the 25th century. They formed part of the standard shuttlebay hangar complement of Starfleet starships in the 2400s decade. (STO - Tutorial mission: "Graduation Day")