Constructed by Starfleet in the 2380s, the Athene Donald was allocated to the civilian Rosalind Franklin Institute for Biomedical Research as a science and exploration vessel. In 2385, Doctor Katherine Pulaski successfully lobbied the Rosalind Franklin Institute for a starship to undertake a multi-cultural mission of science and exploration, and was given the Athene Donald. Pulaski's chosen crew consisted of representatives from the Klingon Empire, the Cardassian Union, the Romulan Star Empire, the Ferengi Alliance and the Tzenkethi Coalition, with the belief that "science will do what diplomacy can't" and start to bring peace between the powers of the Khitomer Accords and the Typhon Pact. The director of research and de-facto commanding officer was Director Maurita Tanj, one of Pulaski's