Difference between revisions of "Galaxy class"


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==Appendices==
 
==Appendices==
===Background Information==
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===Writing Notes===
 
===Writing Notes===

Latest revision as of 17:48, 7 November 2020

Galaxy class.png
Galaxy-class
Class Information
Class: Galaxy-class
Affiliation: Starfleet
Role: Explorer
Date Introduced: 2357
Expected Design Duration: 100 years
Time Between Minor Refit: 5 years
Time Between Major Refit: 20 years
Time Between Resupply: 3-5 years
Dimensions
Length: 642.5 m
Width: 463.7 m
Height: 195.3 m
Decks: 42 decks
Personnel
Total Crew: 1,014 persons
Officers: 169 persons
Enlisted: 845 persons
Maximum (Evacuation) Capacity: 4,136 persons
Propulsion
“Efficient” Cruising Velocity: Warp 6
Maximum “Sustainable” Velocity: Warp 9.2
Emergency Velocity: Warp 9.9 (for 12 hours)
Slipstream Capable: No
Armaments
Energy Weapons:
  • 12 phaser arrays
Launchers:
  • 2 forward launchers
  • 1 aft launcher
Payload Types:
  • Photon Torpedoes
  • Quantum Torpedoes (???)
  • Probes
Shielding Systems:
  • Standard Shielding System
Defensive Systems:
  • Ablative Hull Armor
  • Duranium/Tritanium Double Hull
  • Structural Integrity Field
Auxiliary Craft
Facilities:
  • 3 shuttlebays
  • 1 integrated docking port
Support Craft:
  • 1 Mark I ("Galaxy") captain's yacht
  • 12 shuttlepods
  • 20 shuttlecraft
  • 5 runabouts
  • 6 maintenance craft
Other
Additional Features:
  • Saucer Separation
[ Source ]


The Galaxy-class was a Starfleet vessel first introduced in the mid 2360s. It was one of the largest and most powerful Federation starship classes of its time, with many serving in the Dominion War.

History

The Galaxy-class starship has served with distinction since it was first introduced by Starfleet in the mid-24th century as a successor to the successful, yet rare Ambassador-class vessels. Design began in earnest during the early 2340s and proceeded at pace throughout the following decade. Unlike the older Ambassador-class, this was to be a brand new starship with primary emphasis on peaceful exploration. Its gargantuan size was unmatched by any previous vessel (including the Ambassador-class) and allowed the ship's designers a latitude many had only ever dreamed of. They were able to include an unprecedented 800,000 square meters of customizable mission spaces, thus giving the Galaxy-class a flexibility and longevity only ever experienced on starbasesa and other stationary facilities.

A number of technological advances pioneered through other vessels were incorporated into the Galaxy-class design. These included its burst-fire torpedo launchers (New Orleans-class, a new deflector dish framework (New Orleans-class), and the elliptical saucer section increasingly found in other designs of the period. Even the parallel development of the Nebula-class - introduced shortly before the Galaxy-class and equipped with similar technologies - proved informative as initial production glitches with that design were able to be refined before being incorporated into the Galaxy-class itself.

This sort of piecemeal development process wherein different components were "field tested" through other, smaller starship classes significantly impacted the time it took to create the Galaxy-class. In fact, many including the lead engineer on the project firmly believed the time between "conception to perfection" would have been increased by a factor of at least two if not for the "prototypes" already in production. Engineers were able to take the basics for granted and work on realizing the full potential of the raw resources and technologies they had available.

Even with these benefits, the prototype USS Galaxy took a full five years between launch and commissioning to iron out all the kinks. Systems proven elsewhere still had to be honed to new levels of refinement. Furthermore, the Galaxy's large size led to unanticipated structural issues. Testing at high warp speeds revealed several stress planes forming in various locations across the ship including the neck and, in particular, the stern. Rather than completely redraw the affected areas of the ship's hull, Starfleet attempted to correct the problem by introducing large and stury supports that could better absorb the stresses being placed on the vessel.

When it was finally launched in 2357, the USS Galaxy was the largest and most advanced ship in the Federation. One of the most impressive advancements was the ability it had to separate the main body from the saucer section and reattach without the assistance of a starbase facility. The saucer section could move at impulse speeds under its own power, acting as a large and very well-armed life pod in the event of a cataclysmic warp core breach or a readily foreseen combat situation in which the lives of civilians could be lost. This ability was later successfully incorporated into the Sovereign-class and went on to inspire the Prometheus-class's multi-vector assault mode.

The original production run of Galaxy-class starships were designed and built at the Utopia Planetia Fleet Yards in orbit of Mars. Perhaps the most famous of these was the USS Enterprise-D, which served with distinction as the Federation flagship from 2363 until its destruction in 2371. Other notable ships of the class include the USS Galaxy, which took part in Operation Return and the First Battle of Chin'toka during the Dominion War, and the USS Odyssey, the first major Starfleet vessel destroyed by the Jem'Hadar.

Since its introduction in the late 2350s, the Galaxy-class has undergone a number of significant upgrades and refits in order to keep pace with the developments of the time. These have included everything from improved propulsion technologies to expanded scientific capabilites to enhanced tactical systems. A new warp core provided Galaxy-class vessels with an increase in top speed from warp 9.6 to warp 9.9. Advances scientific and exploratory technology resulted in continual senosry upgrades. Combat experiences, particularly during the Dominion War, led to shield improvements and the inclusion of additional weapons systems.

The first true multi-role starship design fielded in over a century, the Galaxy-class was intended to project Federation presence and influence throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Extensive sensor capabilities, laboratory facilities, and diverse crew accommodations have enabled the Galaxy-class to engage in a wide range of mission parameters ranging from exploration to diplomatic negotiation to scientific research. When pressed, the Galaxy-class has also demonstrated itself to be an effective weapons platform for deployment into hostile areas of space. Such diversity means the Galaxy-class will likely continue to serve at the forefront of Starfleet planning and will, accordingly, be outfitted with the latest applicable technologies.

Mission and Purpose

Content Coming Soon

Shipboard Life

Content Coming Soon

Starships Commissioned

Appendices

Background Information

Writing Notes

The Galaxy-class is one of the most noteworthy starship designs to come out of the mid-twenty-fourth century. With age comes familiarity, and although still more of an uncommon sight than some, vessels of this type would not be entirely unheard of as NPC starships. Its versatility and capabilities allow it to do almost anything, making it well suited to a variety of simulation styles and approaches.

Time has not diminished the prestige of this proud vessel. Even as the dawn of the twenty-fifth century approaches, postings aboard a Galaxy-class starship are legendary and still highly sought after. Commanding officers tend to be more seasoned with experience having commanded at least one smaller vessel prior to being assigned and will often stay in command for several years before being promoted.

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