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Excelsior class starship

*** Shopping-Tip: Excelsior class starship
Image:Excelsior07.jpg right|thumb|300px|The USS ''Excelsior'' (NCC-2000), an Excelsior class starship. In the Star Trek fictional universe, the '''Excelsior class''' is a very common type of starship used by Starfleet. The USS Excelsior (NCC-2000) Excelsior and its class was designed by Bill George at Industrial Light and Magic ILM for the movie ''Star Trek III: The Search for Spock''. It appeared in future movies and many episodes of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. ''Star Trek: Generations'' introduced a new variant of the model, for the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B) Enterprise B, which was designed by John Eaves. The basic configuration of an Excelsior class vessel is similar to that of the earlier Constitution class starship Constitution class: at the forefront, a circle circular primary hull with a bridge at the center of the dorsal side, a sensor dome at the bottom of the ventral, and impulse engines at the aft end. The lifeboats, officers' quarters and sensor platforms are contained in the saucer. The saucer is attached to a backward-angled neck extending downward from the aft of the ventral side to a secondary hull, roughly tubular with a flat platform on the dorsal side; the hull has a navigational deflector at the forefront and a shuttlebay at the aft. Two warp nacelles are above the secondary hull, slightly above the altitude of the primary hull, supported by pylons that attach to a bulge on the top of the secondary hull, run to the sides, and go upward from an angle (slightly less than 90°) to the nacelles. A semi-circular cargo bay lies at the bottom of the secondary hull, designed for shuttlecraft and other cargo vessels. A different version of the class has been seen in the ''Enterprise''-B and ''Lakota'', usually considered a refit, though apparently not intended to be applied to all Excelsior class vessels as standard versions are still seen eighty years after the refit's first appearance. The most notable external differences are two extensions running aftward out of the saucer, one port and one starboard of the impulse system, likely either shuttlebays or additional impulse engines, and two raised areas on the front of the engineering hull on either side of the deflector dish. Image:NCC1701Bdrydock.jpg thumb|left|315px|[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B)|USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-B sitting in dry dock just prior to initial launch. This is a second version of the ''Excelsior'' class, which can be seen in this version of the ''Enterprise'' as well as the starship ''Lakota''.]] In addition to the Excelsior class ships listed below, there exist several Excelsior class variants. The first is the USS ''Centaur'' (NCC-42043), named for the centaur, a hybrid creature. The ''Centaur'' variant is composed of an Excelsior saucer and an enlarged Miranda class starship Miranda class photon torpedo torpedo pod attached to the bottom with its support pylons supporting two nacelles. It is unknown if further ships of this type exist. The second is similar, with the only notable difference in design being a third nacelle over the top of the saucer, supported by two backward-angled pylons, each running upward from one side of the saucer. Another variety seen is composed of a saucer over an Excelsior engineering hull with the shuttlebay moved to the forefront of the top of the hull where the neck standardly attaches, and the two hulls connected by a thin, forward-angled neck; two nacelles run alongside, connected to the ship by two sets of pylons, one set large and attaching to the underside of the saucer and the other thin and ribbed widthwise attaching to the engineering section. The only known ships of this type (which some Fanon (fiction) fanon materials have labelled as a troop transport for Starfleet marines and given the designation "Shelley class", a reference to Frankenstein author Mary Shelley) are the USS ''Curry'' (NCC-42254) and the ''Raging Queen'' (NCC-42284), with no "USS". However, the ''Raging Queen'' is likely not intended to be considered canon, its name being a reference to a ''Saturday Night Live'' skit. Whether any of these variants are new classes or merely anomalous inventions slapped together to face the Dominion (Star Trek) Dominion threat is unknown.

Fictional history
Image:Centaur-cgi.jpg right|thumb|200px|The USS ''Centaur'' (NCC-42043), an Excelsior class variant. The class was used from the 2280s through at least ninety years later. The pathfinder, the USS Excelsior (NCC-2000) USS ''Excelsior'' (NX-2000), was used as a testbed for transwarp, a new and more efficient variety of warp drive warp travel. Although the transwarp project may have been a failure, the Excelsior class design was successful and was put into mass production, serving for decades in distinguished service alongside the Miranda class starship as the backbone of Starfleet. In the 2370s, the Excelsior class, through periodic refits, remains a relevant force in space, with such features as type-ten phaser emitters, quantum torpedoes, and a top speed of warp 9.5.

Known Excelsior class vessels
*USS ''Al-Batani'' (NCC-42995) **Named for astronomer Al-Batani, Kathryn Janeway served aboard the ''Al-Batani'' as science officer under the command of Captain Admiral Owen Paris Owen Paris before commanding the USS Voyager (Star Trek) USS ''Voyager''. The ''Al-Batani'' was once trapped by gravimetric forces inside a proto-nebula for three days before escaping. VOY 101 - Caretaker, Part I *USS ''Berlin'' (NCC-14232) **Named for the city of Berlin, Germany, the starship ''Berlin'' was stationed near the Romulan Star Empire Romulan neutral zone (Star Trek) neutral zone in 2364 and again circa stardate 46357.4 in 2368. Circa stardate 46360.8, the ''Berlin'' was assigned to a task force with the starships ''Sutherland'' and ''Aries'' to defend against a Cardassian attack on the Minos Korva system in United Federation of Planets Federation space. *USS ''Cairo'' (NCC-42136) **Named for the city of Cairo, the starship ''Cairo'' was commanded by Captain Edward Jellico in 2367 and met with the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) ''Enterprise''-D circa stardate 46357.4 carrying Vice Admiral Alynna Nechayev. Shortly afterward, Captain Jellico transferred to the ''Enterprise'' in Captain Jean-Luc Picard Picard's absence. Later commanded by Captain Leslie Wong, the ''Cairo'' disappeared on patrol near the Romulan neutral zone, presumably destroyed by the Dominion (Star Trek) Dominion circa stardate 51721.3. *USS ''Charleston'' (NCC-42285) **Named for the city of Charleston, South Carolina, the starship ''Charleston'' transported three cryogenically frozen people from the 20th century to Earth while heading to Arloff IX in 2364. The ''Charleston'' was later involved in the Romulan tachyon blockade at the outbreak of the Klingon Civil War in 2368. Circa stardate 46357.4 in 2369, the ''Charleston'' was assigned to a deep space exploration mission to sector 22055. *USS ''Crazy Horse'' (NCC-50446) **Named for Oglala Sioux chief Crazy Horse, the starship ''Crazy Horse'' was part of a fleet sent to face an anticipated Borg invasion in 2369. The ''Crazy Horse'' rendezvoused with the Starship Enterprise ''Enterprise''-D in Sector 1607 circa stardate 47457.1 in 2370 to pick up Rear Admiral Erik Pressman. *USS ''Crockett'' (NCC-38955) **Named for United States folk hero, soldier, and politician David Crockett, the starship ''Crockett'' transported Admiral Mitsuya to Deep Space Nine in 2370. *USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B) USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-B) **Named for several naval vessels in Earth history as well as several Starship Enterprise previous Starfleet vessels, the ''Enterprise''-B was commissioned on stardate 9715.5 in 2293 and commanded by Captain John Harriman at its launch. Fans speculated an Excelsior class USS ''Enterprise''-B, which was confirmed in ''Star Trek: Generations''. The ''Enterprise''-B is presumed decommissioned, preserved as a museum ship or lost in action to give her name to the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-C) USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-C) sometime in the 24th century. *USS Excelsior (NCC-2000) USS ''Excelsior'' (NCC-2000, ex-NX-2000) **The ''Excelsior'' was the Pathfinder (Star Trek) pathfinder of her class, launched on stardate 8205.5 from the San Francisco Fleet Yards under the command of Captain Styles and was a testbed for new technology, most notably Warp drive transwarp drive. Later commanded by Captain Hikaru Sulu in 2290, she was stationed along the Klingon-Federation border, cataloguing gaseous planetary anomalies in the Galactic_quadrants_(Star_Trek) Beta Quadrant for three years. On stardate 9521.6 in 2293, the ''Excelsior'' encountered the shockwave from the explosion of Praxis (moon) Praxis. Shortly afterward, the ''Excelsior'' was briefly involved in a failed attempt to rescue Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard McCoy Dr. McCoy and was later attacked by several Klingon starships K't'inga class starships. The ''Excelsior'' later played a vital role in defeating General Chang (Klingon) Chang over Khitomer during the signing of the First Khitomer Accords. Fate unknown. *USS ''Farragut'' (Registry unknown) **Named for Admiral David Farragut, the starship ''Farragut'' was reactivated during the Dominion War and transported several genetically enhanced humans to Deep Space Nine in early 2375. *USS ''Fearless'' (NCC-14598) **Named for the HMS Fearless HMS ''Fearless'', the starship ''Fearless'' was used for testing engine and software upgrades in 2364. Circa stardate 46357.4, the ''Fearless'' was assigned to planetary mapping in the Beta Mahoga system. *USS ''Frederickson'' (NCC-42111) **Named for Anthony Frederickson, the starship ''Frederickson'' briefly docked at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards in 2371 and served during the Dominion War. *USS ''Gorkon'' (NCC-40512) **Named for assassinated Klingon Chancellor Gorkon, the starship ''Gorkon'' was the flagship of a fleet sent to face an anticipated Borg invasion circa stardate 46982.1 in 2369. *USS ''Grissom'' (NCC-42857) **Named for astronaut Virgil Grissom, the starship ''Grissom'' assisted the ''Enterprise''-D during a contamination problem on Beta Agni II in 2368. The ''Grissom'' was destroyed by Jem'Hadar forces in the battle of Ricktor Prime in 2375 during the Dominion War. Only six crewmembers survived, including Vulcan (Star Trek) Vulcan science officer Lieutenant Chu'lak, who later murdered several Starfleet officers on Deep Space Nine. *USS ''Hood'' (NCC-42296) **Named for HMS Hood HMS ''Hood'', the starship ''Hood'' was commanded by Captain Robert DeSoto and was Commander William Riker's assignment before his transfer to the Starship Enterprise USS ''Enterprise-D'' in 2364. Circa stardate 43714.1 in 2366, the ''Hood'' was on a terraforming project on Browder IV. Around stardate 43798.3, the ''Hood'' transferred Tam Elbrun to the ''Enterprise''-D in the Hayashi system. In 2368. the ''Hood'' underwent a major systems upgrade at Starbase 174 and was later involved in the Romulan tachyon blockade at the outbreak of the Klingon Civil War. The ''Hood'' served during the Dominion War, fought at the Battle of Chin'toka and was part of Battle Group Omega sent to intercept the Remus Reman warship ''Scimitar'' circa stardate 56844.9 in 2379. *USS ''Intrepid'' (NCC-38907) **Named for the USS Intrepid USS ''Intrepid'', the starship ''Intrepid'' was commanded by Captain Drew Deighan when the ''Intrepid'' responded to a Klingon distress call from the Khitomer outpost following a Romulan attack in 2346. Presumed decomissioned or destroyed to give her name to the Intrepid class starship. The starship ''Intrepid'' was an assignment of Chief Petty Officer Sergey Rozhenko in 2346, when he met and adopted Worf. *USS ''Lakota'' (NCC-42768) **Named for the Native American (U.S.) Native American Lakota tribe, the starship ''Lakota'' was commanded by Captain Erika Benteen circa stardate 49170.65 in 2372. The ''Lakota'' transported Captain Benjamin Sisko from Deep Space Nine to Earth shortly after the terrorist attack during the Antwerp Conference. The ''Lakota'' fired on the USS Defiant USS ''Defiant'' (NX-74205) during an attempted coup of the United Federation of Planets during the Changeling (Star Trek) Changeling crisis on Earth; two crewmembers on the ''Defiant'' and two dozen crewmembers on the ''Lakota'' were killed. *USS ''Lexington'' (NCC-14427) **Named for the USS Lexington, the starship ''Lexington'' carried medicine medical supplies to the ''Enterprise''-D for the Taranko colony. Conflicts with the Nebula class starship of the same name. *USS ''Livingston'' (NCC-34099) **Named for Robert Livingston, the starship ''Livingston'' was an assignment of Benjamin Sisko and Curzon Dax in the 2350s. *USS ''Malinche'' (NCC-38997) **Named for 16th century Mexican princess La Malinche, the starship ''Malinche'' was commanded by Captain Sanders in 2373. She towed the USS Defiant USS ''Defiant'' to Deep Space Nine after she was disabled by a computer failure. Circa stardate 50485.2, the ''Malinche'' was disabled by the Maquis (Star Trek) Maquis while on patrol along the Cardassian demilitarized zone. Presumed recovered and repaired. *USS ''Melbourne'' (NCC-62043) **Named for the Australian City. The Melbourne was stationed at Starbase 74 in 2364 when the Bynars hijacked the Enterprise-D, but was unable to give chase because of maintenance in progress. ("11001001" [TNG]). Commander William Riker was offered command of the U.S.S. Melbourne in late 2366, but declined the promotion, preferring to remain executive officer on the Enterprise-D. ("The Best of Both Worlds, Part I" [TNG]). Shortly thereafter, the Melbourne was one of 39 Federation starships destroyed by the Borg in the battle of Wolf 359. ("The Best of Both Worlds, Part II" [TNG]). (Reference: "The Star Trek Encyclopedia: A Reference Guide to the Future" by Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda). *USS ''Okinawa'' (NCC-13958) **Named for the island of Okinawa, the starship ''Okinawa'' was a former assignment of Benjamin Sisko and of Admiral Leyton, the former chief of Starfleet Starfleet Operations, and participated in the Federation-Tzenkethi War. *USS ''Potemkin'' (NCC-18253) **Named for Russian minister Grigori Aleksandrovich Potemkin, Commander William Riker served on the ''Potemkin'' immediately prior to serving on the USS ''Hood''. The ''Potemkin'' rendezvoused with the Starship Enterprise ''Enterprise''-D to transfer Dr. Toby Russell on stardate 45587 in 2368. The starship ''Potemkin'' also served in the Ninth Fleet during the Dominion War and docked at Deep Space Nine in 2374 for repairs. *USS ''Repulse'' (NCC-2544) **Named for HMS Repulse HMS ''Repulse'' and commanded by Captain Taggert, the starship ''Repulse'' was Dr. Katherine Pulaski's assignment before her transfer to the ''Enterprise''-D circa stardate 42073.1 in 2365. Circa stardate 46357.4, the ''Repulse'' was assigned to deep space exploration in sectors 22036 and 22358. The ''Repulse'' served during the Dominion War. *USS ''Roosevelt'' (NCC-2573) **Named for President Theodore Roosevelt, the starship ''Roosevelt'' was destroyed by the Borg at the Battle of Wolf 359 on stardate 43997 in 2366. *USS ''Tecumseh'' (NCC-14934) **Named for Native American (U.S.) Native American leader Tecumseh, the starship ''Tecumseh'' was commanded by Captain Raymond and led the starship ''Rutledge'' on a counterattack against Klingon forces in the Archanis sector during the Second Federation-Klingon War in early 2373. *USS ''Valley Forge'' (NCC-43305) **Named for Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the starship ''Valley Forge'' was destroyed by a Cardassian orbital defense platform during an offensive into Cardassian space during the Dominion War in 2375. {{trekshipclass}}

External links
*{{memoryalpha article|Excelsior class|''Excelsior'' class}}
- "Excelsior class" Neutral Zone Starship Database
- "Starship Gallery - Excelsior" at Ex Astris Scientia
- "The DS9TM Kitbashes" at Ex Astris Scientia
- "The Excelsior class study models" at Trekmania.net
- "Size of the Excelsior Class" at Ex Astris Scientia Category:Starfleet ship classes

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