CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

Dr. Alonzo Richter first published the Richter Scale of Cultures in 2203. Since then it has become the Federation's most important tool for determining at which point in a civilization's development the Prime Directive no longer need apply. Most first contact missions take place when a society reaches a classification of G. Exceptions include planets that do not wish contact, planets that were already contacted by non-federation agencies, and planets that were contacted before the Richter Scale of Cultures was devised.

The classifications in the Richter Scale of Cultures is not necessarily an in-order listing of power per se, although that usually is the case. Attributes like planetary government and non-aggressiveness are factored in.

Ratings higher than our own (N) are extremely speculative since more advanced beings and races are not always forthcoming about themselves and we usually have no way of covertly or openly studying them.

 

The Richter Scale of Cultural Development

AAA - No known intelligent indigenous life-form

Ceti Alpha 5, Manark 4, Melnos 4, Miridian 4, Nelvana 3, Nervala 5, Ohniaka 3, Omicron Ceti 3, Pandora II, Quazulu 8, Regulus 5, Septimus Minor, Sherman's Planet, Tethys 3, Titus 4, Vilmor 2, Zayra 4


AA - Prehistoric Age (No tools)

Alpha Carinae 2, Alpha Majoris 1, Bardakia, Berengaria 7, Dimorus 4, El-Adrel 4, No'Mat, Ruah 4, Surata 4


AS - Primitive Space Dwelling

Alpha Omicron System (Junior), Giant Amoeba, Nitrium Parasites from the Pelloris Asteroid Belt near Tessen 3, Ordek Nebula (Wogneers)


A - Stone Age

Altair III, Gamma Trianguli VI (Vaal), Hanson's Planet.


AR - Primitive (RESTRICTED - No Contact Permitted)

Tarchannen III, Tarella, Taurus II


B- - Agricultural Age

Malkus IX, Miramanee's Planet, Rousseau V


B - Metal Age

Apella, Capella IV, Sigma Draconis VI, Galvin V, Malurians (before demise), Rigel VII, Zeta Bootis III (Neural)


C- - Scientific Intelligence (No tools)

Janus VI, Tyrellia


C - Scientific Age

Barkon IV, Fendaus V, Mintaka III


D- - Pre-Industrialization

M-113 (before demise), Omega IV, Organian Society's Outward Appearance, Sigma Draconis III


D - Steam Age

Argo, Brax, Canopus II, Omicron IV, Rigel VII, Tartarus V


D+ - Electric Age

Landris III, Minara II (before relocation), Mintonia, Rubicun III (Edo)


E- - Liquid Fuels Age

Kraus IV, Loren III, Stakoron II, Suvin IV


E - Atomic Age

Barzans, Deneb 4 (Bandi), Beta 3, Mordan 4, Sigma Iotia 2


F - Space Age

Alpha Carinae 5, Altec, Argelius 2, Balosnee 6, Brekka, Kea 4, Penthara 4, Sarona 7, Straleb, Talin 4, Theta 7, Turkana 4


F+ - Conscientious Space Age

Halkans, Marajaretus 6, Norpin Colony, Tagus 3, Thalos 7, Tohvon 3


G - Fusion Age

Antica (Beta Renna System), Deneb 2, Drema 4, Gamma Vertis 4, Jaros 2, Ligon 2, Manu 3, Minos Corva, Nahmi 4, Niau, Ophiucus 3, Regula, Selay (Beta Renna System), Sigma Draconis 4, Solais 5, Thelka 4, Ventax 2, Xelata


H - Planet Age

892 4 (Magna Roma), Angel One, Bre'el 4, Ekos, Elas, Kataan, Kenda 2, Krios, Malcor 3, Ornara, Phylos 2, Quadra Sigma 3, Relva 7, Rochani 3, Troyius, Vault, Minor, Zeon


I - Star Age

Algolia, Altair 6, Antide 3, Barolia, Breen, Chalna, Corvan 2, Gamelan 5, Largo 5, Ligos 7, Miradorns, Pakleds, Pelleus 5, Pentaurus 5, Regulus 2, Rura Penthe


J - Expansion Age

Alcyones, Berellians, Brakas 5, Gault, Lysia, Mudor 5, Nausicaa, Ogus 2, Otar 2, Qualor 2, Sothis 3 (Sataarans), Shiralea 6, Styris 4, Tarsas 3, Tormen 5, Tyrus 7A, Valeria, Zibalia


K - Introversion Age

Acamar 3, Alpha Proxima 2, Beta Antares 4, Coridan, Epsilon Hydra 7, Gamaris 5, Mizar 2, Narendra 3, Nimbus 3, Peliar Zel, Peresphone 5, Setlik 3, Vadris 3, Xanthras 3, Zytchin 3


K+ - Enlightment Age

15 Lyncis 2 (Cait), Bajor, Gaspar 7, Hoek 4, Hurkos 3, Kurl (before demise), Mariah 4, Mataline 2, Meles 2, Memory Alpha, Pacifica, Parliment, Risa, Sauria, Sirius 9, Valo 2, Valo 3, Wrigley's Pleasure Planet, Zeta Alpha 2


L - Power Age

Angosia 3, Beltane 9, Benzar, Devidia 2, Dopteria, Eminar 7, Epsilon Canaris 3, Lenaria, Mantilles, Mariposa, Melina 2, Midos 5, Milika 3, Morikin 7, Oceanus 4, Promelians, Rakhar, Rigel 2, Rutia 4, Tagra 4, Tarsus 4, Vendikar, Zadar 4


M - Ion Age

Alpha Cygnus 9, Ardana, Bilana 3, Catualla, Canopus 3, Dachlyds, Daran 5, Delos 4, Deneb 5, Gonal 4, Hurada 3, Kaelon 2, Kaldra 4, Krisa, Kostalain, Lemma 2, Makus 3, Menthars (before demise), Merak 2, Nehru Colony, Zaldor


MR - Ion Age (RESTRICTED - No Contact Permitted)

Kavis Alpha 4 (evolved Nanites), Ktaria, Mab-Bu 6A, Moab 4, Rigel 8 (Orion), Sarthong 5, Tanuga 4, Velara 3


N - Technocracy Age

61 Cygni 5 (Tellar), Alpha Centauri, Alpha 3, Andor (Epsilon Indii 8), Arvada 3, Babel, Benecia, Bersallis 3, Beta Agni 2, Boreth, Borka 6, Cygnet 12, Deneva, Earth, Gideon, Gornar, Haven, Klaestron 4, Marcos 12, Minos Korva, Q'onos (Klinzhai), Rigel 4, Rigel 5


NR - Technocracy Age (RESTRICTED - No Contact Permitted)

Minos, Platonius, Remus, Romulus, Scalos, Sheliak Corporate, Tau Cygna 5, Tholia, Tilonus 4


N+ - Civil Technocracy Age

Betazed, Caldonia, Chandra 5, Danula 2, Delb 2, Delta 4, Efrosia, Icor 9, New Fabrina, Ramatis 3, Tamaria, Trill, Ulians, Vulcan, Yonada, Zakdor


N+PR - Civil Technocracy Age (RESTRICTED - No Physical Contact Permitted)

Gagarin 4, Torona 4


NS - Space Dwelling Civil Age

Beta Renna Cloud, Beta 12-A Entity, Calamarain, Crystaline Entity, Dikironium Cloud Entity, FGC-47 Entities, Gamma Canaris Entity (Companion), Space Jellyfish


O - Techno-Power Age

Bynaus, Cerebus 2, Legara 4, Medusa, Mudd, Sarpeidon (before demise), Vorgons (27th century)


P - Super Techno-Power Age

Amusement Park Planet, Dyson Sphere Builders, Iconia (before demise), Old Ones of Exo 3 (before demise), Rubicun 3 (Edo God), Sargon's Planet (before demise), Triacus (Epsilon Indii 4, before demise)


PS - Space Dwelling Super Techno-Power Age

Gomtuu (Tin Man), V'ger, "Whale" Probe


Q - Cloaking Age

Aldea


R - Exploratory Age

Cytherians, Tkon Empire (before demise), Makers (of Androids on planet Mudd), Vians


S - Transformation Age

Antos 4, Daled 4


T - Illusory Age

Melkotia, Prakal II


TR - Illusory Age (RESTRICTED - No Contact Permitted)

Talos 4


U - Dimensional Age

Guardian of Forever, Tau Alpha C (Traveler), Triskelion (Providers)


V - Altering Age

Excalbia, Trelane of Gothos, Kelvans, Pollux IV (Apollo, before demise), Pyris VII beings (Korob & Sylvia)


W - Galactic Age

Bajoran Wormhole Entities (Prophets), Dowds, Kalandans, Metrons, Preservers


WR - Galactic Age (RESTRICTED - No Contact Permitted)

Vagra II (Armus), Lactra VII


X- - Pre-Non-Corporeal Age

Discarders of Armus, Zalkonians


X - Non-Corporeal Age

Organians, Thasians, Koinonians, Zetarians


XX - Omnipotence Age

The Q Continuum