Downbelow Station is a science fiction novel by American writer C. J. Cherryh, published in 1981 by DAW Books.

The book details events centering on a space station in orbit around Pell's World (also known as "Downbelow") in the Tau Ceti star system.

[2] Space is explored not by short-sighted governments but by the Earth Company, a private corporation which becomes enormously wealthy and powerful as a result.

Nine star systems are found to lack planets suitable for colonization, so space stations are built in orbit instead, stepping stones for further exploration.

Offended by her brusque, arrogant manner, Ayres declines her offer of transportation to the front and charters a freighter instead.

Mallory also drops off a Union prisoner of war, Josh Talley, whom she had rescued from a brutal interrogation by panicked security forces at Russell's.

Faced with indefinite confinement on Pell, Talley requests Adjustment, the wiping of much of his memory, in return for his freedom.

Still feeling guilty for agreeing, he and his wife Elene Quen befriend the post-Adjustment Talley, an act of kindness that will have monumental, unforeseen consequences.

Meanwhile, the last ten surviving Company Fleet ships under the command of Conrad Mazian gather for the most critical operation of the war.

Seb Azov, the Union military commander, has no choice but to gather his forces at Viking to await Mazian's anticipated attack.

When Mazian strikes, Ayres' broadcast order does indeed force him to abort and the Fleet retreats to Pell in confusion.

Mazian meets with his captains and gives them the choice of accepting a peace treaty that essentially concedes victory to Union as per Ayres' broadcast or rebelling against Earth and continuing to fight that is his preference.

Under cover of the panic on the station caused by the battle in space, Lukas makes his move, killing and supplanting his hated rival, Angelo Konstantin.

To escape rioting refugees, Elene Quen is forced to board Finity's End, one of the most respected merchanter ships.

Dave Langford reviewed Downbelow Station for White Dwarf #45, and stated that "Cherryh can do better than this-though others have done it far worse.