The transporter flickered, depositing me not on a bustling Starfleet installation, but a quiet backwater planet. Turns out, my coordinates were off—way off. That’s how I feel trying to place Starfleet Academy within the established Star Trek timeline; close, but still adrift.
We’re a few weeks into Starfleet Academy, and despite some initial turbulence, the series is finding its footing within the larger Star Trek universe. However, a nagging question keeps surfacing after each episode.
I keep wondering: when exactly is this show happening?
Admittedly, this might seem trivial. Knowing the precise placement of Starfleet Academy on the Star Trek timeline isn’t make-or-break. The show exists in the 32nd century—specifically the early 3190s—and so far, nothing narratively demands a rigid chronological anchor. Especially given that Discovery, the primary point of reference, has concluded its run.
Perhaps my fixation stems from nostalgia, particularly for the tightly-knit narratives of Deep Space Nine and Voyager. Those series established their place by directly referencing events in the late 24th century, evolving out of TNG, like the aftereffects of Picard’s assimilation on Ben Sisko. While Academy drops occasional hints (Darem’s message in episode three mentions classes began three weeks prior), its temporal setting remains broadly ambiguous.
Regardless, I can’t shake this minor obsession. So, let’s examine the available information and attempt to formulate a theory.
A cosmic game of connect-the-dots just to understand the show’s timeline
Remember trying to connect the dots as a kid, only to realize halfway through you missed a number and everything was out of order? Pinpointing Starfleet Academy’s timeline feels similar, requiring careful attention to avoid missteps.
Discovery‘s third, fourth, and fifth seasons establish a timeframe for its story. Michael Burnham’s jump to the 32nd century happens at the start of season three, specifically in 3188. Soon after, the USS Discovery and crew arrive in 3189. They uncover the Burn’s devastating effects and work to restore the Federation.
The subsequent seasons are set in 3190 (season four) and 3191 (season five). Season four begins with the reopening of Starfleet Academy, with Michael Burnham giving a dedication speech. The season concludes with United Earth and Starfleet discussing rejoining the Federation.
Starfleet Academy Compared to Star Trek: Discovery
Think about when you try to assemble furniture without reading the instructions. You might get close, but a few pieces seem out of place. Starfleet Academy presents similar timeline puzzles.
The premise of the first episode, “Kids These Days,” places it after Discovery season four. The USS Athena is en route to Earth for the first academic year on Earth since the Burn. These classes are specified as the fall semester. Furthermore, the Athena experiences no issues with warp travel, suggesting the dilithium shortage is resolved.
However, the attack by Nus Braka and Venari Ral introduces a wrinkle: the Discovery is unavailable due to a refit. In Star Trek, a “refit” typically signifies major technological upgrades or even replacement with a new ship class. We’ve only seen the Discovery undergo two major refits: one lasting three weeks to adapt 23rd-century tech to 32nd-century standards in 3189 and another in the season five epilogue.
The refit mentioned in “Kids These Days” can’t be the earlier one because it predates the Burn’s resolution and United Earth rejoining the Federation. Since the Athena reaches Earth in 15 hours, the events of Discovery season three couldn’t have occurred within a single day!
Episode two, “Beta Test,” reveals that the Federation is still deciding on its new headquarters, having used the USS Federation since season three of Discovery. The decision is eventually made to locate it on Betazed, instead of Earth.
Then, “Vitus Reflux,” set three weeks after “Kids These Days,” offers another clue. Jett Reno mentions that she “left a starship on the edge of creation” to teach at the academy, referring to the Discovery. Given Reno’s continued presence on the ship throughout seasons four and five, Starfleet Academy likely takes place after Discovery‘s fifth season, presumably in the fall of 3191.
What is the ‘burn’ that is referenced in Star Trek?
The Burn was a cataclysmic event that occurred roughly a century before the events of Starfleet Academy. It involved most of the galaxy’s dilithium suddenly becoming inert, causing warp-capable ships to catastrophically explode. This event decimated the Federation and led to a period of isolation and hardship for many worlds.
The Tilly Factor
Have you ever been so focused on the details that you miss the big picture? That’s how it feels trying to understand Tilly’s role in all this.
Sylvia Tilly bridges Discovery and Starfleet Academy. After the academy’s reopening in Discovery‘s fourth season, Tilly becomes an instructor, leaving the Discovery in the season four episode “All Is Possible.” She reappears in season four’s finale and throughout season five, mentioning her teaching duties.
Tilly will appear in Starfleet Academy, which should clarify the timeline. However, if Starfleet Academy follows the first class since the Burn around fall 3191, and Tilly was training cadets after the Academy reopened in 3190, how do we reconcile this?
Here’s a possibility: Starfleet conducted initial cadet training in the field, based on the USS Federation, after the academy’s reopening in 3190. Following the conclusion of Discovery season five, Starfleet may have decided to reopen the academy on Earth. Starfleet Academy then depicts the first class trained on Earth since the Burn, not the first academy students overall.
Why Did Starfleet Move Headquarters?
The decision to relocate Starfleet Headquarters from Earth was a direct consequence of the Burn. Earth, once the heart of the Federation, became politically unstable and somewhat isolationist after the cataclysm. Moving headquarters to a neutral location symbolized the Federation’s commitment to rebuilding and fostering unity among its diverse member worlds.
Does Setting Actually Matter to Starfleet Academy?
Probably not. The show is better off avoiding excessive exposition and intricate connections to existing Star Trek material, serving as an entry point for new viewers, like Discovery before it. But sometimes, nerding out over inconsequential details is enjoyable, as long as it doesn’t become overly serious.
Will we see legacy characters in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?
Given that Sylvia Tilly plays a role in the new show, more legacy characters may make an appearance. It is safe to say that there will be appearances from familiar faces in the Star Trek universe.
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