USS Rio Grande

The USS Rio Grande (NCC-72452) was a Federation runabout in service to Starfleet in the late 24th century.

The Rio Grande was one of the first five Danube runabouts to enter service with Starfleet. 

In 2369, it was assigned to Deep Space 9. Piloted by Commander Benjamin Sisko and Lieutenant [Jadzia Dax]] it discovered the Bajoran wormhole and made the first transit through it by a Federation vessel to the Gamma Quadrant. In doing so Sisko became the Emissary of the Prophets. 

In 2375, Sisko took the Rio Grande to Bajor to for his final confrontation with Dukat in the Five Caves.