Planetary Studies is the department responsible for helping with locale research for events.  They are encouraged to also expand the ship's knowledge in the various sciences that affect the world around us, from geology to meteorology, helping to provide not only emergency information during storm season to keep people safe but to offer new discoveries within the world we live in.  Some duties include:

• Provide interesting knowledge regarding sites being visited during away missions 
• Suggest sites to visit for future away missions
• Advise Command Staff of predicted weather or other conditions that could affect planned events
• Assist in planning events by considering contingencies for site, time of year, etc.
• Write articles for ship newsletter regarding new discoveries or interesting known facts

Examples of positions available in this department are Archaeologist, Paleontologist, Geologist, Seismologist, Historian, and Meteorologist.

The Department Chief for Planetary Studies is currently open. To hold this position, they are required to be compliant with SFDPP 101, 102 and the yearly re-certification of SFDPP, as well as the completion of the OCC and OTS within STARFLEET Academy.