In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet is the defense, research, diplomacy, and exploration force of the United Federation of Planets (UFP). Starfleet's early history was left obscure until the series Star Trek: Enterprise demonstrated that an Earth Starfleet had been operating at least 18 years prior to the founding of the United Federation of Planets (according to the episode "First Flight"), as Starfleet conducted the Warp 2 and 3 tests and several high-ranking officers referred to graduating from Starfleet Training. During production of early episodes of the original series, several details of the makeup of the Star Trek universe had yet to be worked out, including the operating authority for the USS Enterprise.

The terms Star Service ("The Conscience of the King"), Spacefleet Command ("The Squire of Gothos") and United Earth Space Probe Agency ("Charlie X" and "Tomorrow Is Yesterday") were all used to refer to the Enterprise's operating authority before the term "Starfleet" became widespread from the episode "Court Martial" onwards.

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