Galaxy class explorer

The Galaxy class Explorer was an attempt by Starfleet to design the perfect starship. They wanted a flagship vessel that could carry out a long duration exploration mission, function as a host for diplomatic functions, be rapid response vessel in times of crisis and hold its own in a battle.

The project to build the Galaxy started in the 2340s and continued right through to the launch of the U.S.S. Galaxy in 2357. This was a period of relative peace for the Federation. The Klingons were becoming allies, the Romulans had not crossed the Neutral Zone in years and only the - mostly - low scale conflicts with the Tholians, Tzenkethi, Talarians and Cardassians threatened the tranquility. In this atmosphere the decision to make the Galaxy primarily an exploration vessel, one carrying many civilain scientists and families was an easy one to take. In hindsight it was very nearly a disaster.

By the time U.S.S. Galaxy was complete many of the components used had already seen extensive service with other classes, most notably the Nebula class. Whilst the Nebula relied on its interchangable mission modules for its versatility, the Galaxy was intended to be able to do it all with one basic design.

Six Galaxy class starships were constructed. A further six spaceframes were built and moved to depots around the Federation for assembly if needed. The need arose sooner than expected due to the threat from the Borg and the Dominion.

Two Galaxy class vessels were seen in the armada at the end of DS9 "Call To Arms". Further, at least five and possibly as many as nine were seen with the fleet in "Sacrifice of Angels".

There is circumstantial but reasonable evidence from "Sacrifice of Angels" that the U.S.S. Magellan. Some people also add the U.S.S. Cortez, though the evidence seems to be rather lacking for this one.

The Decipher RPG supplement Starships includes the U.S.S. Magellan and gives the registry as NCC-71820.

Rick Sternbach has said that some of these Galaxy class vessels were completed without all their internal fittings/systems in order to get them into the war sooner. This is supported by the DS9 Tech Manual.

The LUG RPG supplement Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 1: The Ships of Starfleet lists the U.S.S. Vel'dna NCC-72406, U.S.S. Kludy NCC-71095, U.S.S. Courageous NCC-72579 and the U.S.S. Indomitable NCC-73462. The Kludy's registry is a small problem but as all events connected with these ships are in 2374 onwards they are otherwise inoffensive.

The LUG RPG supplement Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 2: Starships of the Cardassian Union mentions the U.S.S. Hentar NCC-71093 destroyed by Cardassians in 2374 and the U.S.S. Frontiersman, defeated by Cardassians in 2365. Again, the registry is slightly problematic.

The LUG RPG supplement The Dominion War Sourcebook: The Fires of Armageddon mentions the U.S.S. Nevsky NCC-71038, U.S.S. Benton NCC-69130, U.S.S. Ishtar NCC-70856, U.S.S. Pel-Gaash NCC-71246 and the U.S.S. Vanuatu NCC-68208. Once again the registries, two of which are lower than that of the U.S.S. Galaxy and three which are lower than that of the U.S.S. Yamato, are out of whack.

Last updated July 6^th 2004.. © Stephen Pugh <steve@pugh.net>
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