Galaxy Class

This article is considered a canon article for Star Trek: Equilism.

Galaxy-Class Explorer

UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS: STARFLEET DIVISION

Standard Technical Specifications for the Galaxy-Class Production Vehicle

Accomodation	1012 Officers and Crew, 200 visiting personnel	Locations of Galaxy-Class Construction:
		Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Mars
Classification:	Explorer [Explorer/Defensive/Diplomatic]	Current Starship Identification and Registration Numbers:
Development Project Started:	2343	U.S.S. Aeon NCC-81825 U.S.S. Spinoza NCC-71833
Production Start Date:	2353
Production End Date:	Still in Production
Current Status:	In Service

GALAXY-CLASS INTRODUCTION

MISSION OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to Starfleet Exploration Directive 902.3, the following objectives have been established for a Galaxy Class Starship:

1. Provide a mobile platform for a wide range of ongoing scientific and cultural research projects.
2. Replace aging Ambassador and Oberth Class Starships as the primary instrument of Starfleet's exploration programs.
3. Provide autonomous capability for full execution of Federation policy options in outlying areas.
4. Incorporate recent advancements in warp powerplant technology and improved science instrumentation.

ORIGINAL DESIGN STATISTICS

Length: 642.51 meters
Width: 463.73 meters
Height: 195.26 meters
Weight: 4,500,000 metric tons
Cargo capacity: Dependant upon mission type
Hull: Duranium microfoam and tritanium plating
Number of Decks: 42

GENERAL OVERVIEW

The Galaxy Class starship entered service in 2353 marking the crowning achievement of almost seventy-five years of engineering advancements starting with the Transwarp Development Project in the late 22nd century. With two variants in service, the Galaxy Class has serviced the Federation and Starfleet even though some were incomplete. Galaxy Class vessels are the largest in the fleet, built to boast Starfleet's most advanced technology and show the Federation's presence as if a core member world was next door.

Initial production of the Galaxy Class began at the Advanced Starship Design Bureau Integration Facility, Utopia Planitia, Mars, and has since expanded to include other classified bases where nearly two of these vessels enter service each year. The first of the variants were assembled and launched from the Advanced Starship Design Bureau Integration Facility, Utopia Planitia, Mars starting in 2369 before being consolidated with the rest of the primary production facilities on Earth, namely McKinley Station by 2370.

The design of primary and secondary hulls has been a staple of Starfleet since it's inception over two hundred years ago. Advances in that design includes the emergency separation mode. Where the primary and secondary hull split into two separate vehicles each capable of individual flight maneuvers. However this design was an emergency response only, which required the ship to be towed to a Starbase to be put back together. However the Galaxy Class, unlike the Excelsior and Ambassador Classes, can perform a saucer separation and rejoin itself, one of the biggest advances since the procedure was conceived. This advance in saucer separation makes it possible for the Galaxy Class to use the maneuver more often as a tactical maneuver, instead of a strategic contingency.

The Galaxy Class is well armed. Describing it as the best-armed ship in Starfleet could lead to arguments, but the vessel has always been able to hold it's own, even in some mismatched battles. Being the first vessel to mount the Type-X Phaser Array has made the class a foe to contend with. However, at the time of it's design, Starfleet decided that it would be best to limit the amount of torpedo tubes aboard the vessels. Designers went with five, in the original specs. After layout problems and Starfleet's recommendation for less, the designers went back to the drawing boards. They decided to use a larger launching system, one that would be able to process a loadout of ten casings. There were two of these launchers placed into the plans (plus an extra launcher for the separated saucer); Starfleet approved. Since that time, designs of other classes have had increasingly more amounts of torpedo launchers and tubes placed on them. This to counter the new and increasingly more powerful threats facing Starfleet.

Even though the Galaxy Class is a relatively young class of Starship, Starfleet and the Advanced Starship Design Bureau were forced to devise three variants on the Galaxy space frame. These variants are the two Galaxy-Uprated versions and Galaxy-Incomplete �“ each making changes to the spaceframe because of unforeseen threats. The first upgrade came with the third batch of vessels that came off the production line. These vessels had been built only to the point of spaceframe completion during the time of the original production. They were then stored away for a short time. When production started on them again in the mid 2360's to late 2360's, two extra phaser arrays were added to the nacelle housings. These upgrades also included advancements to the warp core. The upgrade made the ship faster and more efficient allowing it to achieve Warp 9.9 for twelve hours. In 2370, the Enterprise-D, had the propulsion upgrade performed (the phaser upgrade could not be performed do to over complicated structural reworking). Only a few weeks later this vessel discovered that Warp Drive causes instability between the barrier of Space and Subspace. Along with this discovery came it's limitation of Warp 5, with that the implementation of the upgrade to existing vessels was halted. It wasn't until three years later that a solution started to trickle down from the Advanced Starship Design Bureau. This version of the propulsion upgrade solved the Warp Pollution problem and was implement fleet wide, not only on Galaxy Class vessels.

The second upgrade revolves around a weak spot on the Galaxy Class. During first contact with the Dominion the USS Odyssey was destroyed revealing this weakness. Around the deflector dish and neck of the Galaxy Class is an extreme weakness to attack. Even though a suicidal enemy vessel attacked the USS Odyssey, this weakness was later proved to be serious under torpedo fire. Only two vessels received the solution to this situation before the war started. It was a hull upgrade of ablative armor around sensitive areas. When the war started, Starfleet ordered that the Galaxy Class vessels currently on the production line be rushed, with 68% of the hull's empty. Most of these vessels did not have the phaser upgrade, given to the third batch of vessels, owing to the fact that there was more nacelle housings available without them. They did however receive the upgraded propulsion system and hull armor.

The Galaxy-Uprated Class without the phaser upgrade is by far the most numerous of the Galaxy Class vessels built to date. Starfleet does not plan on giving them the phaser upgrade any time in the near future because the structural reworking still remains over complicated. The second most numerous version is the Galaxy-Incomplete Class. These vessels are currently being recalled as time permits. With sixty-eight percent of the hull missing, it takes as long as building a new Galaxy Class starship to finish off the hull without damaging the existing systems. The last version, with currently five ships total, is the Galaxy-Uprated Class with the phaser upgrade. This version of the class is the current production run. The original version of the Galaxy Class saw its last days of service around 2373, matching the prediction of twenty years.

CONSTRUCTION HISTORY

Long before 2343, when the Galaxy Class officially began, the seeds were being planted. During the waning days of the failed Transwarp Development Project in the late 2280's, the scope of advances in Warp Field Theory were beginning to be realized. While some arrogant designers, desperate to salvage the Transwarp Drive, thought they could modify the Excelsior Class enough to make their drive work, others knew it would be decades before the advances in theory could even be applied in practice. Starfleet not recognizing the split, went ahead with the refit of the Excelsior in the 2290's, and only afterwards came to the realization that the Transwarp Project had failed.

By 2310's, those that had left the Transwarp Project and their inheritors were ready to pursue the next great project. They had designed the Ambassador Class; the ship they had hoped would make their dream come true. The Ambassador Class was designed to be extremely large. So large that it came with a new set of problems, especially with the Impulse Engines. These were later solved with the addition of the Space-Time Driver Coil. However, the dream that was sparked almost a half century before was not realized. It had been glimpsed though, and Starfleet was convinced into backing it.

The Ambassador was not what the designers had their highest hopes for, but from the start of that project they realized the chances were small. But Starfleet couldn't wait another seventy plus years (even though they did have to wait another thirty years before the fruits of their labor came about). Wanting to fast track the project even more they divided the project into several parts. The first step was testing the structure of the new engine. To facilitate this as fast as possible the designers went to the extreme of salvaging old parts to mount the nacelle on. This part of the project was dubbed the Freedom Class. The salvaged parts were the primary section and the "neck" of a Constitution-Refit Class with one nacelle structure graphed onto the ventral portion of the "neck." The single nacelle allowed for expedient testing, and cut back on material costs. The design was never put into production, and only a few were ever manufactured for testing. They existed in service for five years and were then moth balled after all the necessary data of nacelle design had been gathered. During extreme emergencies the existing vessels were taken out of storage and put into use. Notable occurrences were the first Borg Incursion and the Dominion War.

The next tests needed to focus on the actual engine of the future starship. This portion of the project was called the Niagara Class. Based off Ambassador Class spaceframes that failed inspection, the Niagara Class had three nacelles. It was a weak design, but never intended to make it to production. The few designs that were made used the three nacelles to power up to the strongest warp field the design could handle. Had it not been for the third nacelle the power level would never have been reached, and again Starfleet did not want to wait. The designers also decided that the Niagara Class could be used for subspace geometry tests. By the end of the 2320's all the tests on this class were completed and the ships were sent to storage facilities. One ship was brought out in an attempt to counter the Borg threat at Wolf 359 in 2367.

By the early 2330's the designers were ready for something bigger. They went for completely original classes. The tests on the Niagara Class proved one thing, the more organic the ship was in shape the better it made the transition into warp. So the design of the Springfield Class would reflect this, with more curves. This positioned the Springfield Class as the first vessel with a similar design to the future vessel, as yet still unnamed even in discussion. The Springfield's design incorporated an elliptical saucer and angled secondary hull. The ship tested the end result of organic-like designs as well as advances in warp drive technology. It was limited in production, unlike its testbed predecessors, which never made it into production at all.

The next class was the Challenger Class. It was slightly similar in design to the Springfield, but had a larger saucer and almost no secondary hull. Its nacelle structure was also similar to the designs original tested on the Freedom and Niagara Classes. The Challenger also saw limited production, like the Springfield.

The Cheyenne Class was the last in the three designs. It was similar in size and shape to the Springfield Class but had four nacelles. These nacelles, when powered up at the same time, allowed the designers to test what they estimated the full strength of the future starship to be. These tests provided the most substantial and what eventually proved to be accurate data that the testbed vessels would bring. The Cheyenne Class became a full production vessel until the 2350's.

Now it was time for the next generation to start. The designers had gathered all the data they needed before they could begin on the final designs. The first vessel would be the New Orleans Class. It was the middle of the 2330's when work started. The New Orleans would be the first to test the eventual shape of the future vessel, still unnamed by Starfleet mandate to the dismay of the designers. Most of the designers had the feel of the scale for the future vessel though, and the New Orleans was appropriately measured to that ideal. This vessel became very popular and was in full production until the 2360's.

By the late 2330's designers were ready to jump into something that had much larger proportions. The Nebula Class came into being, designed as a production line vessel. It was a full-blown version of the future vessel, which the designers had dubbed the Galaxy Class, however Starfleet was still not ready to give it a name. With just one vessel the designers knew they could begin work on their ship.

It had been over eighty years in the making. Two generations of starship designers had toiled; most of the first group was gone. Most had died, and those who remained were either too old or still held on too tightly to the idea of a Transwarp Drive. But in 2343 Starfleet had given the word, and the designers were ready to create the pinnacle of almost one hundred fifty years of work tracing it's routes directly back to the Constitution Class. When Starfleet gave the project it's official name they conceded to the designer's wishes and it was the Galaxy Class. In 2344 and 2345 the Advanced Starship Design Bureau started working on the design of the vessel. By 2349 all the ship's systems were frozen and they were ready to build.

Construction on the first batch of vessels, the USS Galaxy, USS Yamato, and USS Enterprise-D, were started in 2350. By 2363 all three had been launched. The second batch of vessels was built based on the lessons learned from the first three. After these ships were made more spaceframes were built, partially deconstructed and sent to top secret locations.

Even though the Galaxy Class was a relatively young class of starship, Starfleet and the Advanced Starship Design Bureau were forced to devise three variants on the Galaxy space frame. These variants were the two Galaxy-Uprated versions and Galaxy-Incomplete �“ each making changes to the spaceframe because of unforeseen threats. The first upgrade came with the third batch of vessels that came off the production line. These vessels had been built only to the point of spaceframe completion during the time of the original production. They were then stored away for a short time. When production started on them again in the mid 2360's to late 2360's, two extra phaser arrays were added to the nacelle housings. These upgrades also included advancements to the warp core. The upgrade made the ship faster and more efficient allowing it to achieve Warp 9.9 for twelve hours. In 2370, the Enterprise-D, had the propulsion upgrade performed (the phaser upgrade could not be performed do to over complicated structural reworking). Only a few weeks later this vessel discovered that Warp Drive causes instability between the barrier of Space and Subspace. Along with this discovery came it's limitation of Warp 5, with that the implementation of the upgrade to existing vessels was halted. It wasn't until three years later that a solution started to trickle down from the Advanced Starship Design Bureau. This version of the propulsion upgrade solved the Warp Pollution problem and was implement fleet wide, not only on Galaxy Class vessels.

The second upgrade revolves around a weak spot on the Galaxy Class. During first contact with the Dominion the USS Odyssey was destroyed revealing this weakness. Around the deflector dish and neck of the Galaxy Class is an extreme weakness to attack. Even though a suicidal enemy vessel attacked the USS Odyssey, this weakness was later proved to be serious under torpedo fire. Only two vessels received the solution to this situation before the war started. It was a hull upgrade of ablative armor around sensitive areas. When the war started, Starfleet ordered that the Galaxy Class vessels currently on the production line be rushed, with sixty-eight percent of the hull's empty. Most of these vessels did not have the phaser upgrade, given to the third batch of vessels, owing to the fact that there was more nacelle housings available without them. They did however receive the upgraded propulsion system and hull armor.

The Galaxy-Uprated Class without the phaser upgrade is by far the most numerous of the Galaxy Class vessels built to date. Starfleet does not plan on giving them the phaser upgrade any time in the near future because the structural reworking still remains over complicated. The second most numerous version is the Galaxy-Incomplete Class. These vessels are currently being recalled as time permits. With sixty-eight percent of the hull missing, it takes as long as building a new Galaxy Class starship to finish off the hull without damaging the existing systems. The last version, with currently five ships total, is the Galaxy-Uprated Class with the phaser upgrade. This version of the class is the current production run. The original version of the Galaxy Class saw it's last days of service around 2373, matching the prediction of twenty years.

It will probably be another twenty years before the Galaxy-Uprated Class with the phaser upgrade is no longer seen in service and is replaced with another uprated or even refit version. However Starfleet is confident that this vessel will continue to perform in its role with the best results, the assumption has only been proved wrong by extreme circumstances in the past. Those lessons are now being studied and accounted for on a regular basis to prevent unnecessary loss of life.

COMMAND SYSTEMS

MAIN BRIDGE

General Overview: Primary operational control for Galaxy Class Starships is provided by the Main Bridge located at the top of the primary hull. It is located on Deck 1. The Main Bridge directly supervises all primary mission operations (with the exception of the Flight bay and assorted craft) and coordinates all departmental activities.

The Main Bridge is an ejectable module, allowing for a wider variety in mission parameters. The standard module on all Galaxy Class Starships is the second standard version.

Layout: The current standard Galaxy Class layout is as follows. In the center is Command area with three common seats, for the Captain, the Executive Officer to his right, and the Counselor to his left. Further out from these are two more seats that can be used by VIP or other non-stationed personnel.

At the front of the bridge is the Conn, starboard, and Operations, port, stations. Conn is the combination of Helm and Navigation, and Operations controls and monitors most vital ship functions. Operations is commonly in control of sensors aboard Galaxy Class starships.

Behind the Command area is the Tactical Rim. Here is the Primary and two Auxiliary Tactical stations. All tactical and security functions can be controlled and monitored from this point.

On the back wall from port to starboard are Engineering, Environment, Mission Operations, Science I, and Science II. These five stations are normally unmanned. The Chief Engineer is in Main Engineering, Environment & Mission Operations can be controlled at the Operations console, and Science I & Science II are the science department's presence on the Bridge. However, normally the Chief Science Officer [if the ship has one] is not a Bridge Officer. The position is a management and authority one, meant to control all the sub-departments which do their work in the various labs on board the ship. It is not uncommon however for some Chief Science Officers to conduct their business directly on the Bridge.

There are three turbolifts leading off the bridge; one is an emergency turbolift that leads directly to the Battle Bridge. There are also three rooms adjacent to the Bridge. The Captain's Ready Room is on the fore port of the Bridge. The Conference Room and Bridge Head is aft starboard.

MAIN ENGINEERING

General Overview: Main Engineering is located on Deck 36 of the Galaxy Class. Its primary purpose is to be the central point for control of all engineering systems aboard the vessel, especially those relating to propulsion and power generation. Here is located the Matter Antimatter Reaction Chamber also known as the Warp Core. There are three main consoles in Engineering, the Master Systems Monitor, Warp Propulsion System console, and Impulse Propulsion System console. In between the Warp Propulsion System & Impulse Propulsion System console is the Master Systems Display. Heading towards the warp core from the main entrance one will find the Chief Engineer's Office on the left and the Assistant Chief Engineer's console on the right. A little more forward is the isolation door. Access to the upper level of Engineering can be found by a ladder on the left of the Matter Antimatter Reaction Chamber or an elevator on the right. The upper level has access to many auxiliary systems as well as egress points.

During emergencies Main Engineering can be turned into a command and control center by converting a number of consoles to duplicate the stations on the Main Bridge. The software is already preloaded onto these consoles and each vessel has specific procedures in place in case a situation warrants.

BATTLE BRIDGE

Being able to separate into two distinct vessels, the Galaxy Class has two Bridges. The second bridge is called the Battle Bridge and is located on Deck 8. This bridge duplicates most of the functions of the Main Bridge, but places emphasis on piloting, support, and defensive operations. To keep in tune with changing situations the Battle Bridge is also modular like the Main Bridge.

For the most part the Battle Bridge is only used when the vessel is in separated flight mode. Outside of this, when the Main Bridge is non-operational most command and control functions are routed to Main Engineering. However in situations were the Main Bridge will experience an extended period of being non-operational, Starfleet procedures require that the Battle Bridge be used to keep Main Engineering clear of non-essential personnel.

TACTICAL SYSTEMS

PHASERS

Phaser Array arrangement: Primary hull: Three dorsal phaser arrays on the primary hull, one primary dorsal array extending three hundred forty degrees and two point defense arrays to either side of Shuttlebay 1. The arrays cover the entire semi-sphere above the ship, except for a few blind spots close to the hull and Shuttlebay. One ventral phaser array on primary hull, primary ventral array extending three hundred twenty degrees. Array covers the forward and lateral portions of the semi-sphere below the ship, except for those blind spots close to the hull. Total of four phaser arrays on primary hull.

Secondary hull: Two dorsal phaser arrays on the secondary hull, both are point defense arrays placed in the far aft of the ship. Three ventral phaser arrays. One primary array with coverage similar to a series of cones with the same vertex and two point defense arrays at the far aft of the ship. Total of five phaser arrays on secondary hull.

Nacelles/Pylons: One lateral primary array on each vertical bound pylon. Coverage is similar to Secondary Hull's Ventral Primary array. Total of two phaser arrays on Nacelles. On uprated versions the dorsal nacelle housing has one array, making the new total four.

Phaser Array Type: The Galaxy Class has Type-X Phaser arrays. It is the first class to be designed with these arrays; contemporaries have since been refit. Each array fires a steady beam of phaser energy and the forced-focus emitters discharge the phasers at speeds approaching .986c. Current Tactical policy has phaser arrays automatically rotate phaser frequency and attempt to lock onto the frequency and phase of a threat vehicle's shields for shield penetration.

Phaser Array Output: Each phaser array takes its energy directly from the impulse drive and auxiliary fusion generators. Individually, each type-X emitter can only discharge approximately 5.1 megawatts. However, several emitters (usually two) fire at once in the array during standard firing procedures, resulting in a higher discharge.

Phaser Array Range: Maximum effective range is 300,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Assault

Secondary purpose: Defense/anti-spacecraft/anti-fighter

TORPEDO LAUNCHERS

Arrangement: Three fixed-focus torpedo launchers, one forward launcher on the secondary and another aft. The third launcher can only be used when the vessel is in Separated-Flight Mode; it is an aft firing launcher on the Primary Hull. Each is capable of firing off ten torpedoes in a single salvo.

Type: Mark XXV photon torpedo, capable of pattern firing (sierra, etc.) as well as independent launch. Independent targeting once launched from the ship, detonation on contact unless otherwise directed.

Payload: Maximum of 275 torpedoes.

Range: Maximum effective range is 3,000,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Assault

Secondary purpose: Anti-spacecraft

DEFLECTOR SHIELDS

Type: Symmetrical subspace graviton field. This type of shield is fairly similar to those of most other starships. Under Starfleet Directives all vessels incorporate the nutation shift in frequency. During combat, the shield sends data on what type of weapon is being used on it, and what frequency and phase the weapon uses. Once this is analyzed by the tactical officer, the shield can be configured to have the same frequency as the incoming weapon - but different nutation. This tactic dramatically increases shield efficiency.

Output: There are a total of twelve shield generators on the Galaxy Class. Each generator has a cluster of twelve thirty-two megawatt graviton polarity sources feeding a pair of six hundred twenty five millicochrane subspace field distortion amplifiers. During emergency situations the generators are synchronized together providing two thousand six hundred eighty-eight megawatts continuously. The maximum peak load is four hundred seventy-three thousand megawatts for one hundred seventy milliseconds.

Range: The shields, when raised, operate at two distances. One is a uniform distance from the hull, averaging about ten to twelve meters. The other is a bubble field, which varies in distance from any single point on the hull but has a common center within the ship.

Primary purpose: Defense from enemy threat forces, hazardous radiation and micro-meteoroid particles.

Secondary purpose: Ramming threat vehicles.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

COMPUTER CORE

Number of computer cores: Four. The primary cores are located near the center of the primary hull between Decks 5 and 14. There are two of them, one on each side of the ship thus to balance out the massive weight they entail. The secondary cores are in the Secondary hull between Decks 30 & 37. They are similarly off balanced like the primary cores. Any single core is capable of operating all computer functions of the vessel. In most configurations the Galaxy Class is only equipped with three computer cores. The fourth core, normally a secondary core, is substituted for a ballast tank. However, long-term or computer intensive missions may require that the fourth core is installed, which is a time and labor intensive process.

Type: The computer cores on Galaxy Class starships are isolinear storage devices utilizing faster than light processing drives with isolinear temporary storage.

LCARS

Acronym for Library Computer Access and Retrieval System, the common user interface of 24th century computer systems, based on verbal and graphically enhanced keyboard/display input and output. The graphical interface adapts to the task which is supposed to be performed, allowing for maximum ease-of-use. The Galaxy Class operates on LCARS build version 5.2 to account for increases in processor speed and power, and limitations discovered in the field in earlier versions, and increased security. The operating version receives minor upgrades any time they are available when contact with another Starfleet vessel or facility is made.

SECURITY LEVELS

Access to all Starfleet data is highly regulated. A standard set of access levels have been programmed into the computer cores of all ships in order to stop any undesired access to confidential data.

Security levels are also variable, and task-specific. Certain areas of the ship are restricted to unauthorized personnel, regardless of security level. Security levels can also be raised, lowered, or revoked by Command personnel.

Security levels in use aboard an Galaxy Class are:

Level 10 �“ Captain and Above Level 9 �“ First Officer Level 8 - Commander Level 7 �“ Lt. Commander Level 6 �“ Lieutenant Level 5 �“ Lt. Junior Grade Level 4 - Ensign Level 3 �“ Non-Commissioned Crew Level 2 �“ Civilian Personnel Level 1 �“ Open Access (Read Only)

'Note:' Security Levels beyond current rank can and are bestowed where, when and to whom they are necessary.

The main computer grants access based on a battery of checks to the individual user, including face and voice recognition in conjunction with a vocal code as an added level of security.

UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR

All Starfleet vessels make use of a computer program called a Universal Translator that is employed for communication among persons who speak different languages. It performs a pattern analysis of an unknown language based on a variety of criteria to create a translation matrix. The translator is built in the Starfleet badge and small receivers are implanted in the ear canal.

The Universal Translator matrix aboard an Nebula Class starships typically consists of well over 100,000 languages and increases with every new encounter.

PROPULSION SYSTEMS

WARP PROPULSION SYSTEM

Type: Theoretical Propulsion Group [TPG] Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Drive, developed by Theoretical Propulsion Group in conjunction with the Advanced Starship Design Bureau - Utopia Planitia Division. Information on this Warp Drive is classified [repealed: 2371; now available in standard Starfleet Omnipedia Databases].

Normal Cruising Speed: Warp 6

Speed Limit: Warp 5

Maximum Speed: Warp 9.6 for 12 hours

Note: Vessels equipped with the TPG M/ARA Drive System no longer have the maximum cruising speed limit of Warp 5, thanks to innovations discovered and utilized in the General Electric Type 8 M/ARA Warp Drive outfitted in the new Sovereign Class Starship. Pursuant to Starfleet Command Directive 12856.A, all Starships will receive upgrades to their Warp Core system to prevent further pollution of Subspace.

IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEM

Type: Standard Galaxy Class Impulse drives developed and built by Theoretical Propulsion Group in conjunction with the Advanced Starship Design Bureau - Utopia Planitia Division.

Output: Each engine (there are three impulse engines, two flanking the back edge of the primary hull and one on the centerline of the secondary hull) can propel the ship at speeds just under .75c, or "maximum impulse". Full impulse is .25c (one quarter of 186,282 miles per second, which is warp one).

Like the Ambassador Class before it, the Galaxy Class utilizes the Space-Time Driver Coil to operate effectively at Impulse. The Driver Coil produces a non-propulsive symmetrical subspace field powered by the exhaust plasma from the Impulse Engines. The field helps the ship to accelerate, decelerate, and maneuver by effectively lowering it's apparent mass.

REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

Type: Standard magnetohydrodynamic gas-fusion thrusters designed specifically for the Galaxy Class.

Output: Each thruster quad can produce 5.5 million Newtons of exhaust.

Tractor Emitter: All Reaction Control System Thruster packages on the Galaxy Class have small tractor beam emitters. These emitters help in closed quarters or docking procedures.

UTILITIES AND AUXILIARY SYSTEMS

NAVIGATION DEFLECTOR

A standard Galaxy Class main deflector dish is located along the forward portion of the secondary hull, and is located just forward of the primary engineering spaces. Composed of molybdenum/duranium mesh panels over a duranium framework, the dish can be manually moved seven and two tenths degrees in any direction off the ship's Z-axis. The main deflector dish's shield and sensor power comes from three graviton polarity generators located on Deck 34, each capable of generating one hundred twenty-eight megawatts which fed into a pair of five hundred fifty millicochrane subspace field distortion amplifiers.

TRACTOR BEAM

Type: Multiphase subspace graviton beam, used for direct manipulation of objects from a submicron to a macroscopic level at any relative bearing. Each emitter is directly mounted to the primary members of the ship's framework, to lessen the effects of isopiestic subspace shearing, inertial potential imbalance, and mechanical stress.

Output: Each tractor beam emitter is built around two variable phase sixteen megawatt graviton polarity sources, each feeding two four hundred seventy-five millicochrane subspace field amplifiers. Phase accuracy is within two and seven tenths arc-seconds per microsecond. Each emitter can gain extra power from the Structural Integrity Field by means of molybdenum-jacketed waveguides. The subspace fields generated around the beam (when the beam is used) can envelop objects up to one thousand meters, lowering the local gravitational constant of the universe for the region inside the field and making the object much easier to manipulate.

Range: Effective tractor beam range varies with payload mass and desired delta-v (change in relative velocity). Assuming a nominal five m/sec-squared delta-v, the primary tractor emitters can be used with a payload approaching 7'500'000 metric tons at less than one thousand meters. Conversely, the same delta-v can be imparted to an object massing about one metric ton at ranges approaching twenty thousand kilometers.

Primary purpose: Towing or manipulation of objects

Secondary purpose: Tactical; pushing enemy ships into each other.

TRANSPORTER SYSTEMS

Number of Systems: 16 Personnel Transporters: 6 (Transporter Rooms 1-6) Cargo Transporters: 4 Emergency Transporters (Beam-Out only): 6

COMMUNICATIONS

Standard Communications Ranges:

• RF: 5.2 AU
• Subspace: 22.65 LY

Standard Data Transmission Speed: 18.5 kiloquads per second
Subspace Communications Speed: Warp 9.9997

SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS

SENSOR SYSTEMS

Long range and navigation sensors are located behind the main deflector dish, to avoid sensor "ghosts" and other detrimental effects consistent with main deflector dish millicochrane static field output. Lateral sensor pallets are located around the rim of the entire starship, providing full coverage in all standard scientific fields, but with emphasis in the following areas:

1. Astronomical phenomena
2. Planetary analysis
3. Remote life-form analysis
4. EM scanning
5. Passive neutrino scanning
6. Parametric subspace field stress (a scan to search for cloaked ships)
7. Thermal variances
8. Quasi-stellar material

Each sensor pallet, three hundred fifty in all, can be interchanged and re-calibrated with any other pallet on the ship, including those in storage.

TACTICAL SENSORS

There are twenty-eight independent tactical sensors on on the Galaxy Class. Each sensor automatically tracks and locks onto incoming hostile vessels and reports bearing, aspect, distance, and vulnerability percentage to the tactical station on the main bridge. Each tactical sensor is approximately eighty-four percent efficient against Electronic Counter Measures.

STELLAR CARTOGRAPHY

The entrance to the main stellar cartography bay is located on Deck 10. The lab is served by a direct Electro-Plamsa System power feed from the impulse engines. All information is directed to the bridge and can be displayed on any console or the main viewscreen.

SCIENCE LABS

There are over one hundred separate scientific research labs on board the Galaxy Class. However depending upon current internal arrangement the ship can have more. At the same time all labs are specifically designed for adaptability. Very few of the labs will remain under the same discipline of science for more than six months. Most science labs share the same design, only a few have extremely specialized equipment. When necessary, the Engineering department can by contacted and the lab can be outfitted with equipment either in storage or replicated. Other, even more specialized equipment can be brought on board by mission specialists and installed per approval of appropriate members of the Senior Staff.

PROBES

A probe is a device that contains a number of general purpose or mission specific sensors and can be launched from a starship for closer examination of objects in space.

There are nine different classes of probes, which vary in sensor types, power, and performance ratings. The spacecraft frame of a probe consists of molded duranium-tritanium and pressure-bonded lufium boronate, with sensor windows of triple layered transparent aluminum. With a warhead attached, a probe becomes a photon torpedo. The standard equipment of all nine types of probes are instruments to detect and analyze all normal EM and subspace bands, organic and inorganic chemical compounds, atmospheric constituents, and mechanical force properties. All nine types are capable of surviving a powered atmospheric entry, but only three are specially designed for aerial maneuvering and soft landing. These ones can also be used for spatial burying. Many probes can be real-time controlled and piloted from a starship to investigate an environment dangerous hostile or otherwise inaccessible for an away-team.

The nine standard classes are:

CLASS I SENSOR PROBE:

Range: 2 x 10^5 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.5c
Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion
Sensors: Full EM/Subspace and interstellar chemistry pallet for in-space applications.
Telemetry: 12,500 channels at 12 megawatts.

CLASS II SENSOR PROBE:

Range: 4 x 10^5 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.65c
Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion, extended deuterium fuel supply
Sensors: Same instrumentation as Class I with addition of enhanced long-range particle and field detectors and imaging system
Telemetry: 15,650 channels at 20 megawatts.

Class III Planetary Probe:

Range: 1.2 x 10^6 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.65c
Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion
Sensors: Terrestrial and gas giant sensor pallet with material sample and return capability; onboard chemical analysis submodule
Telemetry: 13,250 channels at ~15 megawatts.
Additional data: Limited SIF hull reinforcement. Full range of terrestrial soft landing to subsurface penetration missions; gas giant atmosphere missions survivable to 450 bar pressure. Limited terrestrial loiter time.

Class IV Stellar Encounter Probe:

Range: 3.5 x 10^6 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.6c
Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion supplemented with continuum driver coil and extended deuterium supply
Sensors: Triply redundant stellar fields and particle detectors, stellar atmosphere analysis suite.
Telemetry: 9,780 channels at 65 megawatts.
Additional data: Six ejectable/survivable radiation flux subprobes. Deployable for nonstellar energy phenomena

Class V Medium-Range Reconnaissance Probe:

Range: 4.3 x 10^10 kilometers
Delta-v limit: Warp 2
Powerplant: Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine; extended duration sublight plus limited duration at warp
Sensors: Extended passive data-gathering and recording systems; full autonomous mission execution and return system
Telemetry: 6,320 channels at 2.5 megawatts.
Additional data: Planetary atmosphere entry and soft landing capability. Low observatory coatings and hull materials. Can be modified for tactical applications with addition of custom sensor countermeasure package.

Class VI Comm Relay/Emergency Beacon:

Range: 4.3 x 10^10 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.8c
Powerplant: Microfusion engine with high-output MHD power tap
Sensors: Standard pallet
Telemetry/Comm: 9,270 channel RF and subspace transceiver operating at 350 megawatts peak radiated power. 360 degree omni antenna coverage, 0.0001 arc-second high-gain antenna pointing resolution.
Additional data: Extended deuterium supply for transceiver power generation and planetary orbit plane changes

Class VII Remote Culture Study Probe:

Range: 4.5 x 10^8 kilometers
Delta-v limit: Warp 1.5
Powerplant: Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine
Sensors: Passive data gathering system plus subspace transceiver
Telemetry: 1,050 channels at 0.5 megawatts.
Additional data: Applicable to civilizations up to technology level III. Low observability coatings and hull materials. Maximum loiter time: 3.5 months. Low-impact molecular destruct package tied to antitamper detectors.

Class VIII Medium-Range Multimission Warp Probe:

Range: 1.2 x 10^2 light-years
Delta-v limit: Warp 9
Powerplant: Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 6.5 hours at warp 9; MHD power supply tap for sensors and subspace transceiver
Sensors: Standard pallet plus mission-specific modules
Telemetry: 4,550 channels at 300 megawatts.
Additional data: Applications vary from galactic particles and fields research to early-warning reconnaissance missions

Class IX Long-Range Multimission Warp Probe:

Range: 7.6 x 10^2 light-years
Delta-v limit: Warp 9
Powerplant: Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 12 hours at warp 9; extended fuel supply for warp 8 maximum flight duration of 14 days
Sensors: Standard pallet plus mission-specific modules
Telemetry: 6,500 channels at 230 megawatts.
Additional data: Limited payload capacity; isolinear memory storage of 3,400 kiloquads; fifty-channel transponder echo.
Typical application is emergency-log/message capsule on homing trajectory to nearest starbase or known Starfleet vessel position

CREW SUPPORT SYSTEMS

MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Sickbay: There are two sickbay facilities located on Deck 12. The primary facility has two intensive-care wards, a laboratory, a nursery, and the Chief Medical Officer's office. The secondary facility has two dedicated surgery suites, a physical therapy facility, a nursery, and a null-gravy therapy ward. The primary facility is located on the port side of the vessel and the secondary facility is located on the starboard side. Also pursuant to new Medical Protocols, all Primary Medical Facilities are equipped with holo-emitters for the usage of the Emergency Medical Holographic System.

Aid Stations: Like on Starbases and other large ships, the Galaxy Class has nurse stations around the vessel, almost on each deck. These areas are staffed on a rotating schedule during green mode, and during higher alert status they may all be activated. They provide first aid to injured personnel and become quick essential command posts during situations where the ship is damaged. When the Captain needs to know how many people are injured, those who find out serve at these stations.

CREW QUARTERS SYSTEMS

General Overview: All crew and officers' quarters are located on decks 2, 3, 5, 7-11, 13-14, 17-20, and 32-33.

Individuals assigned to Galaxy Class Starships for periods over six months are permitted to reconfigure their quarters within hardware, volume, and mass limits. Individuals assigned for shorter periods are generally restricted to standard quarter configuration.

Crew Quarters: Standard Living Quarters are provided for both Starfleet Non-Commissioned Officers and Ensigns. These persons are expected to share their room with another crewmate due to space restrictions aboard the starship. After six months, crewmembers are permitted to bring family aboard the ship and a slightly larger room is allocated to them.

Two NCO's or two Ensigns are assigned to a suite. Accommodations include 2 bedrooms with standard beds, connected by a living/work area. A washroom with ultrasonic shower is located off of each bedroom. A food replicator and a personal holographic viewer are located in the living area. Small pets are allowed to NCO's.

Enlisted crewmembers share quarters with up to 4 others. Accommodations include 2 bedrooms with twin beds, connected by a living/work area. A washroom with ultrasonic shower is located off of each bedroom. A food replicator and a personal holographic viewer are located in the living area. Pets are not allowed to enlisted crew.

Crewmen can request that their living quarters be combined to create a single larger dwelling.

Officers' Quarters: Starfleet personnel from the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade up to Commander are given one set of quarters to themselves. In addition, department heads and their assistants are granted such privileges as well, in an effort to provide a private environment to perform off-duty work. After six months, officers are permitted to bring family aboard the ship and a slightly larger room is allocated to them. Members of the Captain's Senior Staff can have these restrictions waved with the Captain's permission.

These accommodations typically include a small bathroom, a bedroom (with standard bed), a living/work area, a food replicator, an ultrasonic shower, personal holographic viewer, and provisions for pets.

Officers may request that their living quarters be combined to form one large dwelling.

Executive Quarters: The Captain and Executive Officer of the ship both have special quarters, located on Deck 8.

These quarters are much more luxurious than any others on the ship are, with the exception of the VIP/Diplomatic Guest quarters. Both the Executive Officer's and the Captain's quarters are larger than standard Officers Quarters, and this space generally has the following accommodations: a bedroom (with a nice, fluffy bed), living/work area, bathroom, food replicator, ultrasonic shower, old-fashioned water shower, personal holographic viewer, and provisions for pets. The second officer and senior staff have similar quarters with less area, generally between that of the Executive Quarters and the Officer's Quarters.

VIP/Diplomatic Guest Quarters: The Galaxy Class is a symbol of UFP authority, a tool in dealing with other races. Starfleet intends to use Galaxy Class in diplomacy several times, and the need to transport or accommodate Very Important Persons, diplomats, or ambassadors may arise.

These quarters are located on Deck 8. These quarters include a bedroom, spacious living/work area, personal viewscreen, ultrasonic shower, bathtub/water shower, some provisions for pets, food replicator, and a null-grav sleeping chamber. These quarters can be immediately converted to class H, K, L, N, and N2 environments.

RECREATIONAL SYSTEMS

General Overview: The Galaxy Class is the largest vessel in Starfleet and its design has been maximized for scientific and tactical usage. However, it is realized that the stress of operating at ninety-nine percent efficiency on a ship that is built for deep-space exploration can be dangerous, so there are some recreational facilities on board.

Holodecks: There are four standard holodeck facilities on the Galaxy Class, located on Deck 11.

Holosuites:' These are smaller versions of standard Federation Holodecks, designed for individual usage (the four Holodecks themselves are to be used by groups or individual officers; enlisted crewmen and cadets are not allowed to use the Holodecks under normal circumstances). They do everything that their larger siblings do, only these Holosuites can't handle as many variables and are less detailed. They are equivalent to the Holodecks on an Intrepid Class Starship. There are twenty Holosuites on board as well, located on Decks 12 and 33.

Phaser Range: Sometimes the only way a Starfleet officer or crewman can vent his frustration is through the barrel of a phaser rifle. The phaser range is located on deck 12.

Normal phaser recreation and practice is used with a type II phaser set to level 3 (heavy stun). The person stands in the middle of the room, with no light except for the circle in the middle of the floor that the person is standing in. Colored circular dots approximately the size of a human hand whirl across the walls, and the person aims and fires. After completing a round, the amounts of hits and misses, along with the percentage of accuracy is announced by the ship's computer.

The phaser range is also used by security to train ship's personnel in marksmanship. During training, the holo-emitters in the phaser range are activated, creating a holographic setting, similar to what a holodeck does. Personnel are "turned loose" either independently or in an Away Team formation to explore the setting presented to them, and the security officer in charge will take notes on the performance of each person as they take cover, return fire, protect each other, and perform a variety of different scenarios. All personnel on board are tested every six months in phaser marksmanship.

There are 25 levels of phaser marksmanship. All personnel on board are trained in the operation of phaser types II and I up to level 14. All security personnel on board must maintain a level 17 marksmanship for all phaser types. The true marksman can maintain at least an eighty percent hit ratio on level 23. The Galaxy Class carries both the standard phaser rifle and the new compression phaser rifle.

Weight Room: Some Starfleet personnel can find solace from the aggravations of day-to-day life in exercising their bodies.

The weight room is located on deck 12, next to the phaser range. This weight room has full body building and exercise apparatuses available for your disposal; any kind of exercise can be performed here, be it Terran, Klingon, Vulcan, Bajoran, Trill, or others.

There is also a wrestling mat in the weight room, which can be used for wrestling, martial arts, kick-boxing, or any other sort of hand-to-hand fighting. There are holo-diodes along the walls and ceiling which generate a holographic opponent (if you can't find someone to challenge), trained in the combat field of your choice. The computer stores your personal attack and defense patterns as it gains experience on your style of fighting, and adapts to defeat you. All personnel on board must go through a full physical fitness and hand-to-hand combat test every six months.

There are also racks of hand-to-hand combat weapons, for use in training. Ancient weapon proficiencies for Starfleet personnel are recommended; phasers may not always be available for use in contingencies. Terran, Klingon, Betazoid, Vulcan, Bajoran, and other non-energy weapons are available for training.

TEN-FORWARD

This is a large lounge, located on deck 10, forward. It has a very relaxed and congenial air about it; the "Ten-Forward Lounge" is the only place on the ship where rank means nothing - "sir" need not be uttered when a person of lower rank addresses an officer, and everyone is on an equal footing. Opinions can be voiced in complete safety. This lounge is the social center of the ship.

The Ten-Forward Lounge has a battery of recreational games and assorted "stuff". 3-D chess, pool tables, poker tables (complete with holographic dealer and chips), windows that look out into space, heavily cushioned seats, and numerous other games. There is also a bar (usually serviced by an on-duty bartender), and it stores various potent alcoholic beverages, such as chech'tluth, Aldebaran whiskey, Saurian brandy, Tzartak aperitif, Tamarian Frost, C&E Warp Lager, Warnog, Antarean brandy, and countless others. The replicators are also able to produce other food and beverages for the crew to enjoy in this relaxed social setting.

AUXILIARY SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS

SHUTTLEBAYS

General Overview: There are three shuttlebays aboard each Galaxy Class. Shuttlebay one is on Deck 4, Shuttlebays two and three are on Deck 13. The Galaxy Class contains the latest in Starfleet shuttle and runabout designs. A space/air-traffic control room, known as "Flight Ops" controls the Shuttlebay. This is located against the forward wall of the Shuttlebay, next to the exit for the turbolift.

SHUTTLECRAFT

The Shuttlecraft loadout on a Galaxy Class contains the following:

1. At least ten personnel shuttles or five runabouts with living quarters module
2. At least ten cargo shuttles or three runabouts with no modules
3. Twelve shuttlepods, unless otherwise replaced by personnel shuttles
4. Two Sphinx Workpods
5. Three Workbees
6. Ordinance, Fuel, Spare Parts, and/or Runabout Modules
7. Flight Ops

TYPE-15 SHUTTLEPOD

Type: Light short-range sublight shuttle.
Accommodation: Two; pilot and system manager.
Power Plant: Two 500 millicochrane impulse driver engines, four RCS thrusters, three sarium krellide storage cells.
Dimensions: Length, 3.6 m; beam, 2.4 m; height 1.6 m.
Mass: 0.86 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v, 12,800 m/sec.
Armament: Two Type-IV phaser emitters.

The Type-15 Shuttlepod is a two person craft primarily used for short-ranged transportations of personnel and cargo, as well as for extravehicular inspections of Federation starships, stations and associated facilities. Lacking the ability to obtain warp speeds, the Type-15 is a poor candidate for even interplanetary travel, and is traditionally used as a means of transport between objects only a few kilometers apart. The craft is capable of atmospheric flight, allowing for routine flights between orbiting craft or stations and planetside facilities. Ships of this type are stationed aboard various starship classes and stations, both spaceborne and planetside.

A variant of this type, the Type-15A Shuttlepod, shares the same specifications of its sister craft, but is capable of reaching a maximum delta-v of 13,200 m/sec. The Type-15A was a limited production craft and the information gained from its service allowed for further streamlining of what would eventually become the Type-16 Shuttlepod. Still, the 15A remains in active service, and existing Type-15 spaceframes can easily be converted to the 15A provided that off the shelf parts are available. However, it should be noted that Starfleet Operations has deemed that the 15A spaceframe exhausts its fuel supply rather quickly and its production at major assembly plants is now discontinued.

TYPE-16 SHUTTLEPOD

Type: Medium short-range sublight shuttle.
Accommodation: Two; pilot and system manager.
Power Plant: Two 750 millicochrane impulse driver engines, four RCS thrusters, four sarium krellide storage cells.
Dimensions: Length, 4.8 m; beam, 2.4 m; height 1.6 m
Mass: 1.25 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v, 12,250 m/sec.
Armament: Two Type-IV phaser emitters.

Like the Type-15, the Type-16 Shuttlepod is a two person craft primarily used for short-ranged transportations of personnel and cargo, as well as for extravehicular inspections of Federation starships, stations and associated facilities. Lacking the ability to obtain warp speeds, the Type-16 is a poor candidate for even interplanetary travel, and is traditionally used as a means of transport between objects only a few kilometers apart. The craft is capable of atmospheric flight, allowing for routine flights between orbiting craft or stations and planetside facilities, and its cargo capacity is slightly higher then that of the Type-15. Ships of this type are stationed aboard various starship classes and stations, both spaceborne and planetside.

TYPE-18 SHUTTLEPOD

Type: Medium short-range sublight shuttle.
Accommodation: Two; pilot and system manager.
Power Plant: Two 800 millicochrane impulse driver engines, four RCS thrusters, four sarium krellide storage cells.
Dimensions: Length, 4.5 m; beam, 3.1 m; height 1.8 m
Mass: 1.12 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v, 16,750 m/sec.
Armament: Three Type-V phaser emitters.

Developed in the mid-2360s, the Type-18 Shuttlepod is somewhat of a departure from the traditional layout for ships of its size. In response to the growing threat of conflicts with various galactic powers bordering or near to the Federation, this shuttlepod was designed to handle more vigorous assignments that still fell into the short-range roles of a shuttlepods. Even with her parent vessel under attack, the Type-18 was designed to function in battle situations and could even be used as an escape vehicle should the need arise. Lacking a warp core, the pod is a poor choice for travel beyond several million kilometers. Ships of this type are seeing limited deployment on various border patrol and defensive starship classes, including the Defiant-, Saber-, and Steamrunner-class.

TYPE-6 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE (UPRTD)

Type: Light short-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew, six passengers.
Power Plant: One 50 cochrane warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 6.0 m; beam, 4.4 m; height 2.7 m.
Mass: 3.38 metric tones.
Performance: Sustained Warp 3.
Armament: Two Type-IV phaser emitters.

The Type-6 Personnel Shuttlecraft is currently in widespread use throughout Starfleet, and is only recently being replaced by the slightly newer Type-8 Shuttle of similar design. The Uprated version of this vessel is considered to be the ideal choice for short-range interplanetary travel, and its large size makes it suitable to transport personnel and cargo over these distances. A short-range transporter is installed onboard, allowing for easy beam out of cargo and crew to and from their destination. Atmospheric flight capabilities allow for this shuttle type to land on planetary surfaces. Ships of this type are currently in use aboard virtually every medium to large sized starship class, as well as aboard stations and Starbases.

The Type-6 is perhaps the most successful shuttle design to date, and its overall structure and components are the foundations upon which the Type-8, -9, and -10 spaceframes are based.

Major technological advancements in the 2370�™s allowed for further upgrades to be made to the engine systems aboard shuttlecraft. These upgrades make this craft more capable of long-range spaceflight and, like its starship counterparst, no longer damages subspace.

TYPE-7 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE (UPRTD)

Type: Medium short-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew, six passengers.
Power Plant: One 150 cochrane warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 8.5 m; beam, 3.6 m; height 2.7 m.
Mass: 3.96 metric tones.
Performance: Sustained Warp 4.
Armament: Two Type-V phaser emitters.

With the borders of the Federation ever expanding as Starfleet reached the latter half of the 24th Century, the ASDB realized that there was sufficient need for a shuttlecraft capable of making the week-long journeys between planets and stations at low warp. The Type-7 was the first step in this direction, and is equipped for short-range warp travel. To offer comfort to its occupants, the shuttle contains a standard replicator system and sleeping compartments. The forward and aft compartments are separated by a small, informal living area that has a workstation and table. The aft area is normally equipped with a bunk area, but can easily be converted to allow for increased cargo capabilities. A medium-range transporter and atmospheric flight capabilities allow for the Type-7 to service starbases, starships and stations. Ships of this type are currently in use aboard most medium to large sized starship classes, as well as aboard stations and Starbases.

Major technological advancements in the 2370�™s allowed for further upgrades to be made to the engine systems aboard shuttlecraft. These upgrades make this craft more capable of long-range spaceflight and, like its starship counterparts, no longer damages subspace.

TYPE-8 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE

Type: Light long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew, six passengers.
Power Plant: One 150 cochrane warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 6.2 m; beam, 4.5 m; height 2.8 m.
Mass: 3.47 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 4.
Armament: Two Type-V phaser emitters.

Based upon the frame of the Type-6, the Type-8 Shuttlecraft is the most capable follow-up in the realm of personnel shuttles. Only slightly larger, the Type-8 is equipped with a medium-range transporter and has the ability to travel within a planet�™s atmosphere. With a large cargo area that can also seat six passengers, the shuttle is a capable transport craft. Slowly replacing its elder parent craft, the Type-8 is now seeing rapid deployment on all medium to large starships, as well as to Starbases and stations throughout the Federation.

TYPE-9 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE

Type: Medium short-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew, two passengers.
Power Plant: One 400 cochrane warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 8.5 m; beam, 4.61 m; height 2.67 m.
Mass: 2.61 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 6.
Armament: Two Type-VI phaser emitters.

The Type-9 Personnel Shuttle is a long-range craft capable of traveling at high warp for extended periods of time due to new advances in variable geometry warp physics. Making its debut just before the launch of the Intrepid-class, this shuttle type is ideal for scouting and recon missions, but is well suited to perform many multi-mission tasks. Equipped with powerful Type-VI phaser emitters, the shuttle is designed to hold its own ground for a longer period of time. Comfortable seating for four and moderate cargo space is still achieved without sacrificing speed and maneuverability. As is standard by the 2360�™s, the shuttle is equipped with a medium-range transporter and is capable of traveling through a planet�™s atmosphere. With its ability to travel at high-warp speeds, the Type-9 has been equipped with a more pronounced deflector dish that houses a compact long-range sensor that further helps it in its role as a scout. The Type-9 is now being deployed throughout the fleet and is especially aiding deep-space exploratory ships with its impressive abilities.

TYPE-10 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE

Type: Heavy long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew, two passengers.
Power Plant: One 250 cochrane warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 9.64 m; beam, 5.82 m; height 3.35 m.
Mass: 19.73 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 5.
Armament: Three Type-V phaser emitters, two micro-torpedo launchers, jamming devices.

Developed specifically for the Defiant-class starship project, the Type-10 Personnel Shuttle is the largest departure from the traditional role of an auxiliary craft that Starfleet has made in the past century. Short of a dedicated fighter craft, the Type-10 is one of the most powerful auxiliary ships, with only the bulkier Type-11 being more heavily equipped. Nonetheless, the shuttle sports increased hull armor and the addition of micro-torpedo launchers, as well as a suite of tactical jamming devices. A larger warp coil assembly, as well as torpedo stores, makes the Type-10 much more heavier then other shuttles. Elements from the Defiant-class project that were incorporated into the shuttle include armored bussard collectors, as well as a complex plasma venting system for use during possible warp core breech situations. This bulky craft is equipped with a powerful navigation deflector that allows it to travel at high-warp, and a complex sensor system makes this shuttle suitable for reconnaissance work. Able to hold its own in battle situations, the Type-10 is seeing limited deployment on Defiant-class starships, as well as border patrol vessels and combat-ready ships.

TYPE-11 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE

Type: Heavy long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Four flight crew, six passengers.
Power Plant: One 400 cochrane warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 16 m; beam, 9.78 m; height 4.25 m.
Mass: 28.11 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 6.
Armament: Four Type-V phaser emitters, two micro-torpedo launchers (fore and aft), aft-mounted variable purpose emitter.

With an ultimate goal towards creating a useful all-purpose shuttlecraft, the designers of the Type-11 Personnel Shuttle set out to create a craft that was equipped with all the systems of a starship within the shell of a relatively small shuttle. Allocation of the larger Danube-class runabout to starships in the field proved too costly, and with the expressed need by the Sovereign-class development team for a capable shuttle, the Type-11 was born. Its overall frame and components are a meshing of lessons learned in both the Type-9 and Danube-class vessels. Impressive shielding, several phaser emitters, micro-torpedo launchers and a capable warp propulsion system makes this shuttle capable of performing a multitude of tasks. Both the ventral and dorsal areas of the shuttle feature a new magnaclamp docking port that is capable of linking up to other ships similarly equipped. A two-person transporter and a large aft compartment with a replicator adds to the shuttle�™s versatility. The end hope is that these all-purpose shuttles will replace the more specific-purpose crafts already stationed on starships, reducing the amount of space needed for shuttle storage in already-cramped bays. The Type-11 is now seeing selective deployment outside the Sovereign-class to further assess its capabilities in the field.

Information on the Type-11 is relatively scarce, aside from a few paragraphs in Star Trek: The Magazine #1. Its classification is conjectural.

TYPE-9 CARGO SHUTTLECRAFT (UPRTD)

Type: Heavy long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew.
Power Plant: One 150 cochrane warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse engines, six RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 10.5 m; beam, 4.2 m; height 3.6 m.
Mass: 8.9 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 4.
Armament: Two Type-V phaser emitters.

Short of a full-fledged transport ship, the Type-9A Cargo Shuttle is the primary shuttle of choice for cargo runs at major Starfleet facilities. Originally developed by the ASDB team stationed at Utopia Planitia, the 9A served as cargo vessel that carried components from the surface of Mars to the facilities in orbit. While able to travel at warp velocities, the 9A is somewhat slow at sub-light speeds, especially when carrying large amounts of cargo. The front of the shuttle is divided by a wall with a closable hatch, allowing for the aft area to be opened to the vacuum of space. The 9A also has the ability to carry one Sphinx Workpod in the aft area. A medium-range transporter and atmospheric flight capabilities allow it to easily complete its tasks. While rarely seen stationed aboard all but the largest starships, the Type-9A is a common site at any large Starfleet facility.

In response to the need to transporter ground troops into areas heavily shielded, a variant designated the Type-9B was designed and is capable of carrying 40 troops and their equipment to the surface of a planet or interior of a space station. This variant has seen limited service onboard frontline ships, most notably the Steamrunner-class starship.

Major technological advancements in the 2370�™s allowed for further upgrades to be made to the engine systems aboard shuttlecraft. These upgrades make this craft more capable of long-range spaceflight and, like its starship counterparts, no longer damages subspace.

WORK BEE

Type: Utility Craft.
Accomodation: One operator.
Power Plant:One microfusion reactor, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 4.11 m; beam, 1.92 m; height 1.90 m.
Mass: 1.68 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v, 4,000 m/sec.
Armament: None

The Work Bee is a capable stand-alone craft used for inspection of spaceborne hardware, repairs, assembly, and other activates requiring remote manipulators. The fully pressurized craft has changed little in design during the past 150 years, although periodic updates to the internal systems are done routinely. Onboard fuel cells and microfusion generators can keep the craft operational for 76.4 hours, and the life-support systems can provide breathable air, drinking water and cooling for the pilot for as long as fifteen hours. If the pilot is wearing a pressure suit or SEWG, the craft allows for the operator to exit while conducting operations. Entrance and exit is provided by the forward window, which lifts vertically to allow the pilot to come and go.

A pair of robotic manipulator arms is folded beneath the main housing, and allows for work to be done through pilot-operated controls. In addition, the Work Bee is capable of handling a cargo attachment that makes it ideal for transferring cargo around large Starbase and spaceborne construction facilities. The cargo attachment features additional microfusion engines for supporting the increased mass.

TYPE-M1 SPHINX WORKPOD

Type: Light industrial manipulator (Sphinx M1A), medium industrial manipulator (Sphinx M2A), medium tug (Sphinx MT3D).
Accommodation: Pilot (M1A, M2A); pilot and cargo specialist (MT3D).
Power Plant: One microfusion reactor, four alfinium krellide power storage cells, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 6.2 m; beam, 2.6 m; height 2.5 m.
Mass: 1.2 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v, 2,000 m/sec.
Armament: None

Along with the Work Bee, the various Sphinx Workpod types are a common site in any large Federation shipbuilding facility. Intended never to be far from its parent facility, the Workpod was designed to allow greater user hands-on control of the various functions involved with day-to-day construction and repair. With more tools then the Work Bee, the Sphinx M1A and M2A are used primarily to manipulate spaceborne hardware during construction. The Sphinx MT3D is a third variant of this robust design, and can be used for towing objects to and from the construction site. Furthermore, a group of MT3D units can work together to tow larger objects into place, including most starship classes, when large tractor emitters are not an option. All three variants utilize the same basic systems, and are small enough to fit inside of a Type-9A Cargo Shuttlecraft. All variants of the Sphinx Workpod are commonly found at Federation Fleet Yards and Starbases, as well as on larger Starfleet vessels.

CAPTAIN'S YACHT

Type: Galaxy Class Integrated Craft
Accommodation: 3 flight crew, 4 passengers.
Power Plant: Toroidal driver coil-based impulse propulsion system; aerodyne flight motors.
Dimensions: Length: 18 m; Width: 10 m (full wingspan); Height: 8 m
Performance: Maximum impulse: 0.65c; normal atmospheric cruising velocity: Mach 6; maximum atmospheric velocity: Mach 20.
Armament: None

Galaxy-class vessels are equipped with an auxiliary spacecraft normally used for diplomatic missions called the Captain's Yacht. Much larger then a shuttlecraft, the Captain's Yacht is mounted on the underside of the ship's saucer section where it remains docked during normal flight operations. Access to the Yacht is provided through dorsal entry hatch affixed to a docking collar on the upper half of the craft. It is essentially divided into two decks, with the bottom deck housing a toroidal driver coil-based impulse propulsion system, two landing legs for planetary landings, a series of aerodyne flight motors for atmospheric flight as well as fuel and maintenance access to various subsystems.

Manned by a normal flight crew of two and one service representative to assist diplomatic guests, the upper deck houses a flight deck, two modest staterooms, flight crew bunks, and a galley. While not equipped with any means of warp propulsion, the Yacht is specially designed so that it can be launched from its parent ships at speeds as high as Warp 7, where it then coasts down to normal impulse speeds. A deflector system and onboard sensor pallets make the craft suitable for short-range travel. Used normally to transport dignitaries to and from a planet's surface when normal transporter use is not possible, the Yacht is capable of atmospheric flight and planetary landing. Entry/egress platforms on both ends of the craft allow the crew to easily enter and exit the craft.

Some modern versions of the Captain's Yacht are being equipped with two-person short-range transporter systems, while prototype testing of warp-capable yachts still fails basic objective requirements due to the amount of internal reworking caused by the additional hardware, as well as sacrifices in terms of craft internal space and mass. Experimentation continues with membrane-based warp coils, as well as deployable warp nacelles, similar to the Sovereign-class Captain's Yacht.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS

MISSION TYPES

A Galaxy Class Starship is designated as an Explorer. Explorer Type Starships are always Multi-Mission platforms. Each ship is capable of performing a wide range of tasks without any modifications. Trying to define every mission that a Galaxy Class Starship could perform would be a task which can't be completed. For the most part though, Starfleet sends Galaxy Class Starships on missions of importance or missions that are considered more dangerous than others. This justifies some of the expense in resources that it takes to build a Galaxy Class.

OPERATING MODES

The normal flight and mission operations of the Galaxy-class starship are conducted in accordance with a variety of Starfleet standard operating rules, determined by the current operational state of the starship. These operational states are determined by the Commanding Officer, although in certain specific cases, the Computer can automatically adjust to a higher alert status.

The major operating modes are:

• Cruise Mode - The normal operating condition of the ship.
• Yellow Alert - Designates a ship wide state of increased preparedness for possible crisis situations.
• Red Alert - Designates an actual state of emergency in which the ship or crew is endangered, immediately impending emergencies, or combat situations.
• External Support Mode - State of reduced activity that exists when a ship is docked at a starbase or other support facility.
• Reduced Power Mode - This protocol is invoked in case of a major failure in spacecraft power generation, in case of critical fuel shortage, or in the event that a tactical situation requires severe curtailment of onboard power generation.

During Cruise Mode, the ship�™s operations are run on three 8-hour shifts designated Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Should a crisis develop, it may revert to a four-shift system of six hours to keep crew fatigue down.

Typical Shift command is as follows:

• Alpha Shift �“ Captain (CO)
• Beta Shift �“ Executive Officer (XO)
• Gamma Shift �“ Rotated amongst Senior Officers

MAINTENANCE

Though much of a modern starship�™s systems are automated, they do require regular maintenance and upgrade. Maintenance is typically the purview of the Engineering, but personnel from certain divisions that are more familiar with them can also maintain specific systems.

Maintenance of onboard systems is almost constant, and varies in severity. Everything from fixing a stubborn replicator, to realigning the Dilithium matrix is handled by technicians and engineers on a regular basis. Not all systems are checked centrally by Main Engineering; to do so would occupy too much computer time by routing every single process to one location. To alleviate that, systems are compartmentalized by deck and location for checking. Department heads are expected to run regular diagnostics of their own equipment and report anomalies to Engineering to be fixed.

Systems Diagnostics
All key operating systems and subsystems aboard the ship have a number of preprogrammed diagnostic software and procedures for use when actual or potential malfunctions are experienced. These various diagnostic protocols are generally classified into five different levels, each offering a different degree of crew verification of automated tests. Which type of diagnostic is used in a given situation will generally depend upon the criticality of a situation, and upon the amount of time available for the test procedures.

Level 1 Diagnostic - This refers to the most comprehensive type of system diagnostic, which is normally conducted on ship's systems. Extensive automated diagnostic routines are performed, but a Level 1 diagnostic requires a team of crew members to physically verify operation of system mechanisms and to system readings, rather than depending on the automated programs, thereby guarding against possible malfunctions in self-testing hardware and software. Level 1 diagnostics on major systems can take several hours, and in many cases, the subject system must be taken off-line for all tests to be performed.

Level 2 Diagnostic - This refers to a comprehensive system diagnostic protocol, which, like a Level 1, involves extensive automated routines, but requires crew verification of fewer operational elements. This yields a somewhat less reliable system analysis, but is a procedure that can be conducted in less than half the time of the more complex tests.

Level 3 Diagnostic - This protocol is similar to Level 1 and 2 diagnostics but involves crew verification of only key mechanics and systems readings. Level 3 diagnostics are intended to be performed in ten minutes or less.

Level 4 Diagnostic - This automated procedure is intended for use whenever trouble is suspected with a given system. This protocol is similar to Level 5, but involves more sophisticated batteries of automated diagnostics. For most systems, Level 4 diagnostics can be performed in less than 30 seconds.

Level 5 Diagnostic - This automated procedure is intended for routine use to verify system performance. Level 5 diagnostics, which usually require less than 2.5 seconds, are typically performed on most systems on at least a daily basis, and are also performed during crisis situations when time and system resources are carefully managed.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

EMERGENCY MEDICAL OPERATIONS

As on most starship classes the Galaxy Class has set proceedures in case the vessel encounters a medical emergency which Sickbay cannot handle on it's own. The Holodecks are pre-programmed with holographic medical facilities that can supplement those in Sickbay. At the same time equipment modules stored in the Cargo Bays can be set up in the Cargo Bays or one of the three Shuttlebays. This equipment also provides extra medical facilities [with at least one equipment module dedicated as a morgue]. When longer term care is necessary, quarters on board can be reconfigured to provide necessary medical support as well as private comfort.

LIFEBOATS

Pods are located on decks below Deck 2. Each pod can support a total of eighty-six person-days (meaning, one person can last eighty-six days, two can last for forty-three, etc.). Two pods are reserved for the top four officers in the chain of command on each vessel, because they are the last four to leave the ship. These are located on Deck three. As the number of experienced Captains dwindles in Starfleet, the notion of a Captain going down with his ship has been abolished. If the ship is abandoned, the top four officers in the chain of command will wait until everyone else is off the ship, opt to arm the auto-Destruct (not always necessary, but there if needed), and then leave in the two escape pods. The current lifepods are called ASRVs, or autonomous survival and recovery vehicles. The first group of these were delivered in 2337 to the last Renaissance Class starship, the USS Hokkaido.

RESCUE AND EVACUATION OPERATIONS

In situations where more than one atmosphere is necessary it reduces the volume available for consistent density. An example of this is when one hundred persons of an N Class atmosphere must be evacuated along with ten thousand persons of an H Class atmosphere. As neither one can share the M Class atmosphere used aboard most Starfleet vessels, and they cannot share each other's atmosphere, each group must be separated from the others. This breaks down to the density of the H Class evacuees being much higher than that of the N Class or M Class, and thus also reduces the amount of space available for any other evacuee groups because the N Class is taking up space that it doesn't use but cannot transfer elsewhere.

• Evacuation Limit: 15,000 persons in a single atmosphere
• Transport Limit to Ship: 700 persons per hour
• Transport Limit from Ship: 1,850 persons per hour

The Transporter is an ideal way to evacuate personnel from dangerous locations. When transporting to the ship the emergency transporters are not available, as these are beam out only. This is the reason for the difference between to and from ship limits. However, in both cases the cargo transporters were utilized in the figures.

More detailed information on Rescue and Evac Operations, including those procedures involving the use of shuttlecraft can be found in any Starfleet Database.

LANDING MODE

The Galaxy Class was designed to complete an emergency saucer landing. This is a one-way trip. Starfleet did not wish to incur the expense of doing a real world test, so until 2371 when the Enterprise-D completed this maneuver, it had never been done. Review of the Enterprise incident showed that it was a viable last resort option. Once down however, there is no going back. The saucer section is too large to return to orbit intact. Once landed the vessel will meet one of two fates. The first is to be slowly dismantled if the vessel landed on a friendly planet. The second fate is to be destroyed if the vessel landed in or near enemy territory.

APPENDIX A - VARIANT DESIGNATIONS

• ES �“ Exploratory Starship
• ESU �“ Exploratory Starship (Uprated)
• EST �“ Exploratory Starship (Uprated without phasers)
• ESV �“ Exploratory Starship (2nd Uprated)
• ESI �“ Exploratory Starship (Incomplete)

APPENDIX B - BASIC TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ACCOMMODATION

Officers and Crew: 1,012
Visiting Personnel: 200
Evacuation Limit: 15,000

DIMENSIONS

Overall Length: 642.51 meters
Overall Height: 195.26 meters
Overall Beam: 463.73 meters

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Velocity Warp: Warp 9.6 (ES only), Warp 9.9

ARMAMENT

Standard - 11 Type X phasers, 3 torpedo launchers
Uprated - 13 Type X phasers, 3 torpedo launchers

TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT

Shuttlecraft

• At least ten personnel shuttles or five runabouts with living quarters module
• At least ten cargo shuttles or three runabouts with no modules
• Twelve shuttlepods, unless otherwise replaced by personnel shuttles
• Two Sphinx Workpods
• Three Work Bees

Transporters

• Six personnel
• Four cargo
• Six emergency

APPENDIX C - DECK LAYOUT

Italics indicate areas left out of the ESI

Saucer Module

Deck 1: Main Bridge, Captain�™s Ready Room, Observation Lounge
Deck 2: Senior Officer's Quarters, Junior Officer�™s Quarters
Deck 3: Junior Officer�™s Quarters
Deck 4: Main Shuttle Bay, Cargo Bays
Deck 5: Science Labs, Residential Apartments
Deck 6: Transporter Rooms 1-(2)4, Science Labs
Deck 7: Residential Apartments
Deck 8: Residential Apartments, Captain�™s Quarters
Deck 9: Residential Apartments
Deck 10: Main Lounge, Computer Cores
Deck 11: Holodecks, Residential Apartments
Deck 12: Sickbay, Medical Laboratories, Gymnasium
Deck 13: Residential Apartments, Life Support
Deck 14: Residential Apartments
Deck 15: Maintenance
Deck 16: Captain�™s Yacht Docking Port

Stardrive Section

Deck 8: Battle Bridge
Deck 9: Docking Latches
Deck 10: Emergency Batteries, Phaser Bank Systems
Deck 11: Life Support Systems
Deck 12: Science Labs
Deck 13: Shuttlebays 2 and 3
Deck 14: Shuttlebay Support, Personnel Transporters 5 and 6
Deck 15: Science Labs
Deck 16: Maintenance
Deck 17: Living Quarters
Deck 18: Living Quarters
Deck 19: Living Quarters
Deck 20: Living Quarters
Deck 21: Power Distribution
Deck 22: Engineering Support Labs
Deck 23: Main Impulse Engines
Deck 24: Life Support
Deck 25: Dorsal Docking Port, Forward Photon Torpedo Launcher
Deck 26: Engineering Support
Deck 27: Deuterium Fuel Pumps and Fill Ports
Deck 28: Deuterium Fuel Storage
Deck 29: Deuterium Fuel Storage
Deck 30: Deuterium Injection Reactors
Deck 31: Science Labs
Deck 32: Living Quarters
Deck 33: Living Quarters
Deck 34: Environmental Support
Deck 35: Aft Photon Torpedo Launcher
Deck 36: Main Engineering
Deck 37: Environmental Support, Waste Management
Deck 38: Cargo Bays, Brig
Deck 39: Cargo Bays
Deck 40: Antimatter Injection Reactors
Deck 41: Antimatter Storage Pods
Deck 42: Antimatter Storage Pods

APPENDIX D - AUTHOR'S NOTES

From The Desk of Jason Sharp:

This is the one point in this entire page where you'll find that, for the first time, I've stepped out of the Star Trek universe and back into our own 21st Century mindset. The information presented on this page is a result of hours and hours worth of researching, more researching and then a rigorous and intensive process of compiling the best information from canon sources, and making an attempt to fill in the blanks. For the purposes of ST:EQ, these are the specs for the Galaxy-class vessel, like them or not. Now to address some of the problems found in compiling this information, followed by a brief explanation as to why a certain path was taken in these specs.

Refits and Upgrades: Some people will question the authenticity of this. And to nip that in the bud, so to speak, I can assure you that they are canon. While the DS9 TM only acknowledges an upgrade to the Galaxy Class' warp propulsion system, there is more information on this. The Enterprise-D had a warp drive upgrade in the episode "Phantasms" and at the same time the Warp Pollution problem would need to be solved on the Galaxy Class as well. But again, Warp Pollution was not discovered until after "Phantasms." It's quite certain that the Galaxy Class received an upgrade. And I speculate that any upgrade would have been halted until the Warp Pollution problem could also be included in that upgrade. All the Galaxy Class Starships in ST:EQ should have these upgrades [speed increase and "pollution solution"].

The second area in which there is an obvious upgrade is the phasers. There are new phasers added to the Galaxy Class model during DS9's war arc. Why these phasers weren't added to every vessel isn't known. Technically, all information we have says that if it were possible to put them on older vessels it would have been done. Starfleet needed ships with more weapons. So simply saying that there wasn't enough time to refit those ships doesn't add up, there was time. This only leaves the option that it wasn't possible. Which is the one I took. As such, only the Paula Green has the possibility of having this upgrade [I think it was built (or more techncial, commissioned) during/after the Dominion War started in the Alpha Quadrant]. If any newly built Galaxy Class vessels enter ST:EQ's service then they will also have these two extra phasers.

The final upgrade I mentioned was the one concerning the neck. This is from VFX showing a different colored neck on two Galaxy Class vessels. At the same time the destruction of the USS Odyessy in "The Jem'Hadar" and the weakness shown during some Dominion Battles is obvious. I feel that the darkened areas are hull armor used to reinforce that area of the ship. It was obvious however that not every ship in DS9 had this modification. There are a few reasons for this, the first is from the DS9 TM. It says that ablative hull armor is not easy to produce. The second could be that it is labor intensive and takes time. In any case, it is obvious that it will take time to refit all the Galaxy Class starships with this, but it is available for current and future vessels.

And one last thing, to those who think it is too early for refits. The TNG TM says that refits will occur every twenty years. The USS Galaxy was launched in 2353 and the first ship with all three of the above upgrades probably didn't appear until 2373.

'NCC: It is the general conclusion of the group, and one of my strong opinions, that NCC's are roughly chronological in the TNG-era. For this reason, no Galaxy Class Starship in ST:EQ should have an NCC lower than that of the USS Galaxy NX [and NCC] 70637. At the same time, any ship with a number lower than the USS Yamatos NCC-71807 must be considered a problem build. Meaning that there was some type of problem when they constructed the ship, and thus it was delayed in launch. The reason for this is because the Yamato is specifically stated in the TNG TM as being the second commissioned Galaxy Class Starship. After that you have the Enterprise-D being the third ship launched. There is another problem in all this though. The TNG TM also states that it was a few more years before another Galaxy Class ship was launched. In any case, it is technically alright. NCC's can be assigned even before the ship has a single atom in place at the drydock. For purposes of ease, the Galaxy Class Starships in ST:EQ shouldn't have a history of any sort before 2363 [around 8700.00 and before]. And it would probably be a given that none of them were launched until after 2368 [around 9200.00 or after].

Shuttlecraft: It is my personal opinion that it is quite silly to specify shuttlecraft. It is easy to replace them. As such I have only specified what kind of shuttlecraft the Galaxy Class has based on the TNG TM. This means however many personnel, cargo, shuttlepod, workpod, etc craft it has. I've also guestimated how many runabouts the ship could carry, and what it would give up in the process.

Saucer Separation: Just a quick note. Since the Galaxy Class can put itself back together again it is quite easy to seperate and then pull back together. This was supposed to be a common event in TNG, but it cost to much to do. So the question is, what do we do? Well, if you want to make separation a common event on your ship, that is plausible. It just wasn't done on screen because of budget.

Galaxy Incomplete: There are no ships in ST:EQ under this version. The specs are just included to give depth to the entire class.

Breen Shield Defense: This is an accepted advance for all vessels. It would not be like other upgrades, so I didn't include it above. Nevertheless, every ship in ST:EQ, not just the Galaxy Classes, have this advancement.

'EMH: As a rule, the ST:EQ Specs include the advancement of EMHs for Primary Medical facilities, in the least. The Enterprise-E and Voyagers "Author, Author" as well as DS9's "Doctor Bashir, I Presume?" back this up.

Landing Mode: By the way, if you perform this maneuver your ship will be destroyed. I hope I mentioned that in the main part of the body. In short, landing your saucer section will make it impossible to retrieve it. It will be stuck on that planet forever. Now, what happens to the secondary is up in the air. There remains the possibility that a replacement saucer section could be attached to the remaining secondary section, but it takes a while to build a saucer section if one isn't ready.

Computer Technology: Another by the way, because of ST:EQ's storyline restrictions, there is absolutely no need to have that fourth core installed. It's used primarily for ships that are on long-term missions [ones that take them years away from Federation Territory]. As for Bio Neural Gel Packs. It is not unreasonable for the "isolinear temporary storage" banks to be replaced by bio neural gel packs on the Galaxy Class. But, in my personal opinion, I think that Starfleet would wait on this particular upgrade.

APPENDIX E - CREDITS AND COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

GALAXY-CLASS SPECIFICATIONS CREATED BY: JASON SHARP

SOURCES USED:

1. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual
2. Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual
3. TNG "Best of Both Worlds," TNG "Phantasms," TNG "Force of Nature," DS9 "Emissary," DS9 "The Jem'Hadar," DS9 "A Call to Arms," DS9 "Favor the Bold," DS9 "Sacrifice of Angels," DS9 "Tears of the Prophets," DS9 "The Changing Face of Evil," DS9 "What You Leave Behind." Among others.