The Enterprise Starships Taken from the Public Domain U.S.S Enterprise NCC-1701 (Original 1960s TV series version): ------------------------------------------------------------ The "U.S.S. Enterprise" NCC 1701, in its time was the largest man made vessel in Space. The Starship's component parts were built at the Starfleet division of what is still called the San Francisco Navy Yards and assembled in space. The Enterprise was not designed to enter the planet's atmosphere. When an assignment would call her to a particular planet, the ship was committed to a standard orbit. Such an orbit would range from 1,600 kilometers to 11,300 kilometers from the planet's surface depending on the size, gravity, and atmospheric envelope of the planet, as well as the size and proximity of sun[s], moon[s] and other factors. Should it become necessary, the primary and secondary hulls can separate from each other, however; without the help of a starship or similar facilities, they cannot reconnect. Either hull is capable of housing an entire ship's complement; and under emergency conditions, can operate as a life boat transporting the crew back to safety. Impulse engines are located at the bottom rear of the saucer which can propel the primary hull if separated, or the entire craft when not under warp speed. Engineering headquarters and control facilities are also located in this area. The nerve center of the Enterprise is found in the circular shaped "bridge," located on the bulge atop the center of the primary hull. It is from here that the famous Captain James T. Kirk commanded the crew through the many daring missions. U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A (Movie version): -------------------------------------------- The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A was the second starship to carry the name (following the self destruction of 1701 to protect the "Genesis" project from hostile Klingons). Like her sister ships in Starfleet, the Enterprise was primarily a scientific research vessel and could perform military duties as well. Like her predecessor, the primary and secondary hulls could separate from each other in emergency, ferrying the crew to safety. A starbase is required to reconnect them. The normal ship's complement consisted of 136 medical and scientific research personnel, 132 engineering specialists, 15 communication specialists, a 90 member security force, and 55 officers of command rank (including at one time Captain James T. Kirk and Captain Spock). From her first shakedown cruise this mighty vessel served Starfleet proudly. Engaging in missions such as routine training, exploration/research, and intercept, the Enterprise and her crew have always performed heroically. U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D (The Next Generation version): ---------------------------------------------------------- The newest and most advanced of the five starships to carry the name "U.S.S. Enterprise", the NCC-1701-D is over twice as long as her predecessor and contains about eight times the interior volume. Though retaining much of the familiar symmetry, including twin warp engine nacelles and a large saucer shaped command module, much is changed from her predecessors. Having less of the "Battleship Sterility" associated with earlier ships, this gargantuan vessel (over 725 meters long) serves as more of a community and home to over 1,000 people, mainly crew and their families. Most of the technological advancements over the last 78 years, since the days of the illustrious Admiral Kirk, have been centered on improving the QUALITY of life. No longer cluttered with a profusion of instruments, gauges and control switches, this newest Enterprise is equipped with black panels which, on touch or voice command, will become information displays. The "bridge" combines the features of ship wardroom, briefing room, information retrieval center, and officer's wardroom. From the moment the Starship's destination is selected and the journey begun, every detail of the voyage is guided and monitored by sophisticated 24th Century sensor computer operations, "routine" emergencies are sensed, analyzed and counter measures implemented long before human help is possible or even desirable. Since missions routinely last up to ten years or longer, specialized areas called "holodecks" can be programmed to simulate almost any landscape, weather, and gravity condition with startling reality. Such facilities are useful for training and exercise, or just to take away that homesick feeling that deep space travel can produce. Though primarily designated for scientific research, the Enterprise is equipped with all the defensive capabilities necessary for deep space travel in uncharted quadrants. In the event of an attack from a hostile force, the primary hull can separate from the battle hull (secondary hull), and both can act independently. This allows the crew of the battle hull section to engage in battle without placing the crew and civilians of the primary hull in jeopardy. When all is well, the sections can reconnect and be on their way. With twelve individual phaser banks, two photon torpedo tubes, two tractor beam emitters and speed capabilities of well over warp 9, the Enterprise and its crew are more than capable of completing any mission which Starfleet may dispatch. - o -