Specifications - USS Pioneer NCC-71910

Summary

In the year 2343 design began on a new multi-mission starship. The Galaxy-class starship, after a few setbacks, would become one of the Federation's premier explore, diplomatic, and research vessels. She also packs punch in combat.

The Galaxy-class was developed to replace the aging Ambassador and Oberth-class starships as Starfleet's primary exploration vessel. In fact, many came to regard the requirement as too challenging; the project suffered from numerous delays due to a wide range of design, manufacturing, and construction problems. The first of the class, the USS Galaxy, was launched in 2357 and commissioned in 2362, nearly two decades after initial approval.

The increased internal volume allowed for 800,000 square meters of mission adaptable facilities. This allows the Galaxy-class to support a wide range of ongoing research projects independently of the vessels primary mission. Although not a new idea in Starfleet vessels, the Galaxy-class is unique in the extent to which this is possible. These ships are capable of supporting up to 5,000 mission specialists, while the decentralized nature of the secondary power grids allows laboratories to function effectively even during combat operations.

The three burst fire torpedo tubes are each capable of launching ten photon torpedoes every six seconds, while there are twelve type-X phaser arrays. As with many recent Federation designs, the use of long phaser arrays rather than banks gives the main Phasers of the Galaxy-class a great capability for sustained firing and rapid recharge/cool down time. The Galaxy-class is the first on which all segments of every phaser array are supplied by a separate power system; although this increases the complexity of the system tremendously, it gives the phaser arrays a tremendous survivability in the face of combat damage.

In service the Galaxy-class at first proved exemplary, but by 2371 no less than three of the initial six ships had been lost, one with her entire complement of crew and families. This alarming record led to many changes being introduced during refits of the remaining three vessels, and also to the construction of six new Galaxy-class ships from space frames held in reserve against future need. The unfortunate history of the Galaxy-class vessels combined with the recent escalation in tensions within the alpha quadrant has led to all six vessels being subsequently completed, and all are now on active service against the Dominion.

Major changes to the Galaxy-class have included a new more powerful warp core, a redesigned shield system intended to perform far better against phased polaron beam weapons, various changes to the computer systems, plus many minor changes to other systems. There are currently nine Galaxy-class vessels in service. Production of these vessels continues today. Five Galaxy-class ships took part in the recent operation to retake Deep Space Nine from the Dominion and the class gained a fearsome reputation during the war, operating without loss. At this point further production is expected to be terminated in the next few years in favor of the new Sovereign Class.

::STARSHIP FEATURES::

Computer Systems: Isolinear Chip

Transporters: 6 six-man transporters
Transporter Range: 45,000 Kilometers
Sensor Range: 20 light years
Communications Range: 20 light years

A Duranium/Tritanium Double Hull with additional 10cm Ablative Armor.

The Galaxy-class is able to perform Saucer Separation feature where the Saucer section separates from the Stardrive section. However, only the Stardrive section is capable of warp. This was a precursor to the Multi-Vector Assault Mode that the new Prometheus-class long range tactical cruiser was designed around.

The Venture Refit really noteably added 2 phaser arrays to the top of the Nacelles while it is plausible that many ship systems and perhaps interior updates were made as well.

General

Class		Galaxy-class Venture Refit
Role		Explorer
Duration		100 years
Refit Cycle		20 years
Resupply Cycle		5 years

Dimensions

Length		641 meters
Width		465 meters
Height		145 meters
Decks		42

Personnel

Officers		275
Enlisted Crew		680
Marines		128
Civilians		Up to 500
Emergency Capacity		4156

Speed

Cruise Speed		Warp 6
Maximum Speed		Warp 9.2
Emergency Speed		Warp 9.6 (for 12 hours)

Weapons & Defensive Systems

Defensive Systems		The MLSS (Multi-Layered Shielding System) is the latest shielding to be fielded by Starfleet's Research & Development and Corps of Engineers departments. It is a shielding system that comprises of three nested layers. The layers can be triggered separately and it is wise that they are to save power. It is possible that if any of the layers actually make contact that the failsafe with shut down the entire system and restart all components in a minute or two sequence procedure. Layer 1 The innermost shield layer is a multiphasic. Based on standard regenerative programming, this is the ship's last line of defense. It has the Reyga Metaphasic configuration, that can be triggered after activation, that was capable of withstanding the pressure, radiation and energy of a star's corona. The configuration required the following pieces of technology to function: a metaphasic projection matrix, an EPS flow regulator, a polarized field emitter coil and a radial force compensator. This configuration however is vulnerable to a phased ionic pulse beamed directly into the projection matrix. This resulted in a temporary system malfunction, a disruption of the metaphasic shield, during which a tetryon field would form inside the ship. A sensor has been added since the initial test in 2369 that is programmed to detect phased ions and immediately trigger a restart of the projection matrix, this sequence has been timed at a few seconds. Layer 2 The middle layer incorporates automatic rotation of frequency and modulation with metaphysics, which absorbs enemy fire, spreads it out along the shield. The shield generators are linked to a specialised computer that analyzes data on what type of weapon is used and what frequency and phase the weapon uses. Once complete, the shield must be re-configured by Operations or Tactical to have the same frequency as the incoming weapon, but different modulation, which dramatically increases shield efficiency. This configuration can have a minute margin for error in intense battle situations and can suffer data overload so must be monitored by Operations and or Tactical personnel at the Specialised Computer Room or on the Bridge. Layer 3 The outermost layer manipulates graviton polarity in a way not typical to shields, creating a graviton flux disruption that prevents many known designs by other major powers using their tractor beams from locking on to the vessel. This layer also incorporates transport inhibitor technology, helping prevent an enemy from transporting aboard. Not all these features have successfully countered what they are designed to prevent but the layered system is still a work-in-progress by the Corps of Engineers.
Weapon Systems		PARTICLE ENERGY WEAPONS: 14x Type-X Phaser Arrays PROJECTILE WEAPON LAUNCHERS: 1 Forward 2 Aft
Armament		250 Photon Torpedoes 200 Quantum Torpedoes

Auxiliary Craft

Shuttlebays		3
Shuttles		Two of: Four of: Six of: Workbees: 6
Runabouts		Two