Polaric Test Ban Treaty

The Polaric Test Ban Treaty was signed in 2268, with the United Federation of Planets and the Romulan Star Empire being to two major galactic powers involved. This banned any and all research into polaric ion energy research, which was deemed to be too dangerous and too unstable. Polaric ion energy can provide enough power for a planet, but its use entails a high risk of serious and uncontrolled subspace chain reactions. The Romulans agreed to sign after a research facility that was studying the energy was destroyed that same year on Chaltok IV. (Voyager: "Time and Again")

The Klingon Empire and Gorn Hegemony signed in 2302, followed by the Cardassian Union in 2380. The Tholians are believed to be the only known galactic power that still research polaric ion energy.

Reference(s)

• Campbell, Brian, et al. The Price of Freedom: The United Federation of Planets Sourcebook, Culver City, CA: Last Unicorn Games, 1999.