In
Star Trek, the set of
rules and
regulations governing the operation of Starfleet. The most famous is
General Order 1, also known as the
Prime Directive of Noninterference. All the directives are considered equally important, with the sole exception of the Prime Directive (which always
supercedes any directive or order given).
Recommended by the Secretary of Starfleet and established through executive
order by the Federation Council, these general orders pertain to all Starfleet
personnel. They specify the extent to which the Federation Council and Assembly
maintain control over their military counterparts. Conversely, they also represent
to what extent Starfleet Command is capable of influencing Federation policy.
There are currently 25 General Orders (32 including those for The Next Generation
timeline) for the proper conduct of Starfleet operations. The first six are the
original orders that were established upon the founding of the United Federation
of Planets.