Changes

The Shackleton Expedition was launched in the Spring of 2420 to explore the as-yet unexplored [[Shackleton Expanse]] beyond the farthest borders of the [[Klingon Empire]]. Based at [[Narendra Station]], the Expedition is conducted hand-in-hand with the Klingon Defence Force. Although the partnership between the Federation and the Klingon Empire is welcomed, it has caused some friction; the Klingons refuse to allow what they consider to be "modern warships" to operate in the area - Star Fleet therefore remains strictly limited in the vessels they can deploy, often older vessels or more modern craft with limited firepower unlikely to survive a dedicated Klingon expansion into the area.

Despite the scientific and diplomatic potential of the region, following the [[Attack on the Borg Megasphere]], resources directed towards the Shackleton Expedition were instead diverted to Home Defence or the [[Pathfinder Project]], leaving Shackleton an under-funded, over-worked, and yet vital component of Star Fleet's long-term exploratory plan.