GALAXY CLASS HEAVY CRUISER

The largest and most complex starship class designed and constructed until the introduc-

tion of the Excalibur class, the introduction of the Galaxy class represented a watershed

moment in modern starship design for the Federation.

The Galaxy was the culmination of a record 14 year design and development period incor-

porating every known technological and engineering advance up to that point. Guided

by a robust and detailed multi-mission Design Brief, the Galaxy class was designed to sup-

plant the older Renaissance, Ambassador and Rigel classes as Starfleet’s premier deep

space explorers.

Given the class’ complexity, a small minority of critics declared it to be over-thought and

over-engineered. These arguments were not without merit; the scientific, medical, com-

puter and engineering systems rivaled those on the largest, expansive starbases. As with

the Ambassador, the Galaxy set a new benchmark in shipboard luxury, featuring crew ap-

pointments and recreational facilities that bested those found aboard the lushest star liners.

Befitting its status as the fleet’s largest and most capable starship class, the Galaxy was

comprehensively armed, featuring 12 Type X Phaser Emitters—the most powerful then in ser-

vice—and 2 MK III Torpedo launchers. The class’ combat capability was also enhanced

due to the fact that routine saucer separation was made a part of the design. Though the

saucer featured only 2 of the 12 total Phaser Emitters and lacked a torpedo launcher, the

relative power of those emitters presented an extra challenge for potential enemies.

Saucer separation also boosted the survivability for those serving on board. In the event

the ship was overwhelmed by enemy forces, or of a catastrophic systems failure, the entire

ship’s compliment (officers, crew and civilians) could be evacuated aboard the saucer

section .

The problems inherent in such a complex design became apparent beginning in 2365

when the Yamato (CH 71807) fell victim to an ancient Iconian computer virus, causing scat-

tered shipboard systems failures before infecting the antimatter containment system, which

ultimately led to a warp core breach which destroyed the ship.

In 2370, the Odyssey (CH 71832) was overpowered and destroyed by 3 Jem’Hadar Attack

Ships during the disasterous first contact with the Dominion (ironically, the ship’s dedication

plaque read “It’s origins and purpose, still a total mystery”). Despite running through the en-

tire spectrum of modulation frequencies, the Odyssey’s deflector shields provided no de-

fense against her opponents’ phased poloron weaponry.

A year later in 2371, the Enterprise (CH 1701-D) was destroyed by a Klingon Bird of Prey. The

second ship bearing the name to be destroyed by such a vessel (the first being CH 1701 in

2285), the Enterprise suffered critical damage resulting in a warp core breach after her op-

ponents matched their disruptor and torpedo modulations to that of the Enterprise’s de-

flector shields.

These deficiencies, plus other, more minor ones, led to several design and engineering

changes which ultimately led to the Galaxy II sub-class. The Venture (CH 71854) was the

first ship built to these improved specifications, while existing vessels were refit to Galaxy II

specs beginning in 2371.

Galaxy class ships performed admirably during the Dominion War and during it’s aftermath,

playing a key role in re-building efforts. Production was formally ended in 2379, in favor of

the Sovereign class.

Class

Classification

Service

Number Active

Length

Beam

Height

Decks

Mass

Compliment

Galaxy

Heavy Cruiser

2362-2379

43

641m

470m

145m

42

4,960,000 metric tons

1,014; 15,000 person evacuation limit.

Armament

Defense Systems

12 Type X Phaser Emitters (Galaxy)

14 Type X Phaser Emitters (Galaxy II)

2 MK III Torpedo Launchers

High Capacity Deflector Shield System,

total capacity 2,700,000 TerraJoules

Standard Duranium/Trititanium Double Hull

(Galaxy)

Auto Modulating Deflector Shield System,

total capacity 2,910,000 TerraJoules

Standard Duranium/Trititanium Double Hull plus 5cm Ablative Armor

(Galaxy II)

Bibliography Selected Text—Daystrom Institute Technical Library

Beauty Shots (from L to R)—Star Trek: Ships of the Line (artist unknown)

The Light Works (artist unknown)

The Light Works (artist unknown)

The Light Works (artist unknown)

Schematic—Gustavo Castillo

Blueprints—Adam Heinbuch

http://www.ditl.org/pagship.php?fedgalaxyhttp://goodstavo2.blogspot.com/