Starbase Earhart (also known as Far Space Starbase Earhart) was a Federation starbase. Starting out as a galactic outpost, this starbase grew in importance and size by the mid-24th century. (TNG: "Samaritan Snare" ) In 2327, newly-graduated Ensigns Jean-Luc Picard, Cortan Zweller, and Marta Batanides spent several days at the starbase awaiting transfer to their first deep space assignments. It was during this time that Picard picked a fight with some Nausicaans and was stabbed through the heart by a Nausicaan sword. The wound was nearly fatal, despite Picard's initial reaction which was to laugh at the situation, and ultimately required him to receive an implant of an artificial heart. (TNG: "Tapestry" )