The USS Hudson (NCC-72075/01) was originally an ordinary Danube-class runabout assigned as an auxiliary craft aboard the Galaxy-class starship USS Sarek (NCC-72075) in 2370. (Star Trek: Dauntless) In late 2371, the Hudson was modified to act as an independent scout vessel, designated a preliminary survey vessel and manned by a small crew, to support and increase the range of the Sarek's ability to chart and explore new sectors of the Gamma Quadrant. PSV/USS Hudson was the first of what was planned to be dozens of preliminary survey vessels, whose missions would be to survey a new sector and determine if it warranted the resources of an entire starship for full-scale exploration, since the Sarek was the only Federation starship assigned full-time to the Gamma Quadrant.