In starship classification, an auxiliary space vehicle refers to any vehicle attached to a "mothership" that assists in missions and environments unsuitable for starships. The term may also be applied to any small vessel that may work independently or is incapable of space travel. The most popular form of auxiliary craft attached to starships and starbases are shuttlecrafts. When Katherine Pulaski asked if Data was qualified to pilot a shuttlecraft, he stated that he "had training in auxiliary space vessels at Starfleet Academy." (TNG: "Unnatural Selection" )