Star Trek Universe Overview

The "Star Trek" universe is quite expansive and contains some six TV series and thirteen movies. I'm not including the animated series or comics here. The Enterprise's original mission is to "To explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new dimensions. To boldly go where no man has gone before". And let's not forget the prime directive which prohibits Starfleet personnel from interfering in the development of alien species. It is an interesting idea and plot point (especially since Captain Kirk violated it at every term).

The effects of "Star Trek" on popular culture can not be overestimated. The modern sci fi TV/movie genre owes its existence to the show.

TV series:

"Star Trek: The Original Series" (or TOS for short) ran from three seasons beginning in 1966. The show was created by Gene Roddenberry. Surprisingly, it wasnt an instant sensation but grew a loyal fan base due to syndication. We follow the adventures of the USS Enterprise who has a five year mission beginning in the 23rd century (2265) for the United Federation of Planets. The main characters, who are now cult icons, include: Captain James T Kirk (William Shatner), First Office Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Uhura (Nichelle Nicols), Sulu (George Takei), Scotty (James Doohan) and Chekov (Walter Koenig). We meet a myriad of species including Vulcans (my favorite!), Romulans, Talosians, Andorians, Tribble and a Gorn. We are also introduced to phasers (set to stun!), transporters, communicators and replicators.
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" ran from 1987 to 1994. This series occurs in the 24th century and introduces us to Klingons, Betzoids, the Borg, Q, and Data (an android crew member). Captain Jean-Luc Picard is more of a cerebral leader (instead of Kirk who like to run around beating and/or kissing various aliens). If you want to learn Klingon, check here.
"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" ran from 1993 to 1999. A spinoff of TNG, DSN takes place on a space station (located near a worm hold) instead of the usual ship. Captain Benjamin Sisko must deal with the Cardassians (I still like then better than our Kardasians).We're introduced to Bejorians, Trill, Changelings and Ferengi."DSN" is known for longer story arcs than it's predecessors.
"Star Trek: Voyager" ran from 1995 to 2001. Another spinoff of TNG. Captain Katherine Janeway must protect her ship and crew as they try to return to Earth from the Delta quadrant. We meet Telaxians, Ocampa, Species 8472 and others along the way. Seven of Nine (who was kidnapped by the Borg as a child) is a standout.
"Star Trek: Enterprise" ran from 2001 to 2005. It's a PREQUEL to TOS. Captain Jonathan Archer is portrayed by Scott Bakula who you may remember from "Quantum Leap"). I must confess that I've never been a fan of prequels. I would must rather the time line move forward instead of back. As such, I didnt watch many episodes of "Enterprise".
"Star Trek: Discovery" began in 2016. It is another direct PREQUEL to TOS (and is supposed to occur ten years before Kirk and the Enterprise set out on their five year mission). Featured characters include Captain Gabriel Lorca and Lt Commander Michael Burnham, Number One (Sonequa Martin-Green, previously from "The Walking Dead"). Burnham is Spock's adopted sister. James Frain (from "True Blood" and "Orphan Black" plays Spock's father. "Discovery" is only available on "CBS: All Access" which I dont have a subscrption to. I guess i'll have to wait for it to come to NetFlix (if that happens). Note: "Discovery" takes place in the Prime universe (vs Kelvin). See details below.

Movies: Per Wikipedia, the first six movies are based on TOS. Number seven is TOS transition to TNG. Eight through ten are TNG. Eleven through thirteen are in an alternate timeline and/or prequels.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) – Khan!
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek Generations (1994)- Captain Picard meets Captain Kirk.
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Star Trek (2009)- The beginning of the Kelvin timeline (vs Prime). JJ Abrams producer. New characters and interactions are introduced.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Star Trek 4- in process

Miscellanea:

Uniforms: "Star Trek" crews are typically broken into command, operations, and science. Uniform and rank/insignia are listed appropriately. "Enterprise" uniforms are basically jumpsuits. Gold, red and blue/green are typically used to depict each group. Who is wearing does change over time though. Helpful Hint: Avoid being a red shirt at all costs.
Captains: Who is your favorite of the six "Star Trek" captains? There's Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer and Lorca. I'm Team Picard all the way.
Ships: All of the ships are named Enterprise except for Voyager, Discovery, and the space station Deep Space Nine.
Alternate Universes: There are three main types: 1. Quantum realities (explains the Kelvin timeline); 2. Subspace domains (used by the Borg); 3. Trans Dimensional Realms (Prime universe vs the Mirror Universe). Mirror Universe episodes are included in "TOS", "Deep Space Nine", "Enterprise" and now "Discovery". The main difference in the MU is that the United Federation of Planets is gone and is replaced by the Terran Empire.