The Astral Queen is a FTL-capable former starliner now given over to transporting prisoners between worlds. At the time of the Cylon attack, she was originally said to be carrying 500 male prisoners (Miniseries) to their pardon hearings on Caprica (Bastille Day). However, this was later increased to a count of 1,500 prisoners. It was captained by Wilkens.
Following sabotage aboard the battlestar Galactica, which destroys the majority of the fleet's water reserves (Water), Lee Adama is sent to the Astral Queen to try and enlist the aid of the prisoners to help obtain fresh water supplies from an ice-bound moon (Bastille Day). However, once on board, he meets with the prisoners' spokesman, Tom Zarek, who orchestrates a break-out and hijacking of the ship.