Planetary survey of the Akaali homeworld
A planetary survey or planet survey was the scientific study of a planet for colonization, resources, or to gain knowledge of the planet's culture and society. Such a study was generally conducted by a survey team. The findings of the survey were usually summarized in a planetary survey report. (DS9: "In Purgatory's Shadow")
The crew of the Enterprise conducted their first planetary survey on what would become known as Archer IV in 2151. The planet was initially deemed uninhabitable due to the presence of a toxic pollen, but this issue was rectified by the 23rd century. (ENT: "Strange New World", "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II")
In the same year, the planetary survey of the Akaali homeworld by Enterprise comprised of geology, an equatorial scan, mineralogy, a seismic scan and a geothermal scan. (ENT: "Civilization")
James T. Kirk commanded his first planet survey, on Neural, in 2254. He found the planet to contain a primitive but promising culture and recommended that Starfleet no longer interfere with its development. (TOS: "A Private Little War")
In 2259 of the alternate reality, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise were sent to the pre-warp planet Nibiru by Starfleet to conduct a planetary survey. However, Kirk violated the Prime Directive when he allowed the Nibirans to view the Enterprise rising from the planet's ocean to save Commander Spock who had begun to detonate a cold fusion device in Nibiru's volcano to save the planet from destruction. Kirk later falsified his log of the incident by saying that the survey had been "uneventful". (Star Trek Into Darkness)
In 2268, the USS Exeter arrived at Omega IV for a planet survey. While Captain Ronald Tracey stayed with the Kohm village elders to arrange the survey, a returning landing party brough the Omega IV virus aboard the Exeter, which ultimately killed the entire crew. (TOS: "The Omega Glory")
In 2370, Benjamin Sisko took his son, Jake, to the Gamma Quadrant to conduct a planetary survey for a science project. They chose a Class M planet to study, but the project was interrupted by an encounter with Third Talak'talan and a number of Jem'Hadar as well as a Vorta named Eris. (DS9: "The Jem'Hadar")
In 2373, an away team from Deep Space 9 conducted a survey of Torga IV to determine whether or not a mining operation to extract deposits of cormaline could be established. It was during this survey that they discovered a Jem'Hadar attack ship which had crashed on the planet. (DS9: "The Ship")
In 2376, Lieutenant jg B'Elanna Torres was to lead an away team on a planetary survey before the USS Voyager was intercepted by Hierarchy vessels. (VOY: "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy")