starbase n.
an outpost in space, or on a planet remote from the homeworld, used to facilitate military, governmental, or commercial activities
Typically in the name of a specific base.
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1944
page image
Robert Moore Williams
bibliography
Star Base X! The thought thundered in Dawson’s mind. Just as Base X, in Labrador, served the needs of the plane communication between the United States and England, this Ahrned base aided them in their communication between the stars. That was why it was here, hidden away in this northland. It was a base facilitating star flight.
Star Base X in Amazing Stories Sept. 32/1
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1956
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Edmund Cooper
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At last, the work of demolition was completed. With the wrecking of the dormitory and living-unit, Star Base Three was completely razed to the ground.
Question of Time in Fantastic Universe 114/2 -
1968
bibliography
Immediate higher headquarters is Star Base Command. There are seventeen star bases scattered across the small known portion of the galaxy.
in S. E. Whitfield & G. Roddenberry Making of ‘Star Trek’ iii. 204
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1985
Barbara Hambly
That hellish journey from Starbase Twelve to Alpha Eridani III.
Ishmael vii. 102
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1992
Peter David
bibliography
He had in the beginning, back when he'd taken on the command of the starbase three years ago.
Imzadi ii. 16
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1994
Donald Kingsbury
The Young Women’s Auxiliary needed twenty girls who were looking for a disciplined and rewarding experience at Barnard’s Starbase.
Heroic Myth Lieutenant Nora Argamentine in L. Niven et al. Man-Kzin Wars VI xviii. 174
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1999
Jack L. Chalker
The Ghomas likely won’t detect you, but if you use the cryogenic settings, you'll reach a Junction or Starbase or a known hospitable Realm world in due time.
Sea Is Full of Stars 58
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2000
James Alan Gardner
While I waited for the Outbreak Team to arrive from some other starbase, I used the captain’s vidscreen to watch outside the ship. I didn’t see much—nothing came or went at Starbase Iris, not even in-system shuttles. Once I noticed a merchant vessel passing within range of Willow’s hull cameras, but it didn’t come very close; it was aiming for the planet Celestia, a light-minute nearer the local sun.
Hunted v. 38
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2005
Elizabeth Bear
Contemplating that, Feynman wondered if there might be some way into Unitek through the servers hosting the VR game. Vast, quick, powerful—and maintained by Unitek I.S., although they were outside of the company firewall. And he was going to need to hack Phobos starbase anyway, and get a player character online there, so he could maintain contact with Leah—once she started her virtual pilot training.
Hammered 76
Research requirements
antedating 1944
Earliest cite
R. M. Williams 'Star Base X'
Research History
Douglas Winston submitted a 1989 cite from Joe Clifford Faust's "Desperate Measures".Douglas Winston submitted a 1992 cite from R.M. Meluch's "The Queen's Squadron".
Douglas Winston submitted a cite from an undated reprint of Jack Chalker's 1999 "The Sea is Full of Stars".
Douglas Winston submitted a cite from an undated reprint of James Alan Gardner's 2000 "Hunted".
Fred Galvin found a reference in the ISFDB to Robert Moore Williams' "Star Base X", and submitted cites for "star base" from the 1944 magazine publication of this story.
Douglas Winston submitted a 2005 cite from Elizabeth Bear's "Hammered".
Last modified 2023-05-31 10:49:40
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.