For for the reptilian species with a similar name, please see Rigellian.

The Rigelians were a warp-capable humanoid species who inhabited the planet Rigel V. (TOS: "Journey to Babel")

Physiology Edit


They are known to have shared a similar internal physiology with Vulcans and Romulans. These similarities, notably to Vulcans, included similar blood chemistries. Rigelians also shared a similar neurology to Vulcans and Romulans, as they too were susceptible to the neurological disease known as Tuvan Syndrome. (TOS: "Journey to Babel"; DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")

One of the ancestors of a Human corpse from the 31st century was discovered by Dr. Phlox to be a Rigelian, based on the individual's nucleotide sequence in his DNA. (ENT: "Future Tense")

History and politics Edit

Relationships with other species Edit




In 2154, a Rigellian scoutship fell victim to an attack by a Romulan drone ship which disguised itself as Earth starship Enterprise in order to destabilize the sector. Recognizing the vessel, the Trade Commission contacted Starfleet to demand compensation for the loss of their vessel and the arrest of Enterprise's commanding officer, Captain Jonathan Archer. (ENT: "United")

In early 2155, the Rigelians participated in talks discussing their wish to join as a possible member in the Coalition of Planets along with Humans, Tellarites, Andorians, Coridans, and Vulcans. (ENT: "Demons", "Terra Prime") During the negotiations, six of the Earth universal translators experienced a "glitch" and started confusing the Rigellian language with Andorian. (ENT: "Terra Prime")

Trade and commerce Edit

Rigelian freighter (24th century)

A 24th century Rigelian freighter

Rigelian commerce was regulated by the Rigellian Trade Commission during the 22nd century. (ENT: "United")


Medical achievements Edit


During the mid-2260s, an experimental chemical stimulant designed to speed up reproduction and replacement of blood in the bodies of certain species was developed and successfully tested on Rigelian test subjects on the planet Rigel V. Although the side-effects included tremendous strain on the spleen and the liver, it was later discovered by Doctor Leonard McCoy to be a viable treatment for producing Vulcan T-negative blood. (TOS: "Journey to Babel")

People Edit

Appendices Edit


Background information Edit

The species name was spelled both as "Rigelian" and "Rigellian" in scripts, but in those few episodes in which they appear, the same make-up was used regardless of spelling. The name Rigellian was also given by behind the scene sources to a turtle-like species developed for a crowd scene in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.


A note in the final draft script of ENT: "Affliction", the only episode in which the species appears, described Rigelians as "an often mentioned, but never-before-identified species."

Apocrypha Edit


The novel Tower of Babel establishes that there were three species of Rigelians. These included:

All Rigelian species were politically united and the Rigel system was considered to be a crowded and bustling population center in the novels, with its three native species and numerous colonists from other species.

External link Edit
