Constitution Class CruiserConstitution Class CruiserAs the 23rd Century drew to a close Starfleet was faced with a substantially aging fleet (due in part to delays in the Excelsior class), a rapidly changing political situation and an expanding frontier. One attempt to meet these challenges was the Constellation class, using tried and tested Constitution class components but utilising four warp nacelles for added efficiency and range the Constellation was intended to fulfill a long range exploratory role.
In this capacity they would chart space beyond the range of Oberth and similar science vessels, whilst freeing up the new Excelsiors and the remaining Constitutions for more crucial roles.
Noticeable design features of the Constellation class include the four warp nacelles; the double impulse deck; a second ring of single phaser emitters outside the the standard ring of double emitters on the dorsal saucer; and the large number of shuttle and cargo bays included in the saucer.
This class remained in service at least until the late 2360s, testament to the continuing usefulness of those Constitution components and demonstrating that the simpler ship designs can be just as effective as the leading edge super ships.
| NCC-1974 | U.S.S. Constellation |
| History: | commissioned in 2290s, first ship of her class. Undergoing certification tests in 2293. Possibly still in service in 2374. |
| Notes: | "ST VI: The Undiscovered Country" ref. DS9 "The Abandoned" ref, DS9 "Waltz" ref, these last two may be a different ship. |
| NCC-2590 | U.S.S. Valkyrie |
| Notes: | Relabeled U.S.S. Hathaway model used in "Star Trek: The Exhibition". |
| NCC-2593 | U.S.S. Hathaway |
| History: | Derelict by 2365. |
| Notes: | TNG "Peak Performance" app. |
| NCC-2893 | U.S.S. Stargazer |
| History: | In service by 2333. Abandoned in 2355. Recovered (and presumably decommissioned) in 2364. |
| Notes: | TNG "The Battle" app; TNG several episodes, his. |
| "To bring light into the darkness." | |
| NCC-3069 | U.S.S. Magellan |
| History: | Presumed operational in 2360s. |
| Notes: | TNG "Starship Mine" his. |
| NCC-3890 | U.S.S. Gettysburg |
| History: | In service in 2319. |
| Notes: | TNG "Too Short A Season" his. |
| NCC-9754 | U.S.S. Victory |
| History: | Still in service in 2365. |
| Notes: | TNG "Elementary, Dear Data" ref; TNG "Identity Crisis" his. |
The LUG RPG supplement The Price of Freedom also lists U.S.S. Antietam, U.S.S. Fading Sun and U.S.S. Vespucci in addition to those above.
The LUG RPG supplement The Dominion War Sourcebook: The Fires of Armageddon mentions the U.S.S. Windhoek NCC-37925.
Last updated June 22nd 2004. © Stephen Pugh <steve@pugh.net>
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