USS Enterprise wasn’t the only starship of its class active inStar Trek: The Original Series.Commanded byCaptain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), the Starship Enterprise is the most storied legacy in Starfleet. Much of the Enterprise’s legend was forged by Captain Kirk’s historic five-year mission, which was chronicled in thethree seasons ofStar Trek: The Original Series. But Enterprise wasn’t the lone Constitution Class starship in operation by 23rd-century Starfleet.
Starfleet’s Constitution Class heavy cruiser was designed for deep space explorationand patrol missions. Constitution Class starships like the USS Enterprise, which launched in 2245, could operate forfive-year mission cyclesand required minimal support from Starfleet for its 400-person crew complement. Enterprise was equipped with duotronic computers designed byDr. Richard Daystrom(William Marshall). Capable of defense and protection missions, the Constitution Class was armed with phaser banks and photon torpedoes.
Constitution Class Was A Starfleet Baker’s Dozen
The USS Enterprise inStar Trek: The Original Serieswasn’t a unique vessel, as 23rd-century Starfleet operated a small armada of Constitution Class starships. This was confirmed inStar Trek: The Original Seriesseason 1, episode 19, “Tomorrow is Yesterday.” After time-traveling to 1960s Earth, a United States Air Force pilot named Captain John Christopher (Roger Perry) came aboard the Enterprise. Regarding his starship, Captain Kirk told Christopher,“There are only 12 like it in the fleet.”
Star Trek Was Missing An Important Part Of The USS Enterprise Early In Season 1
Mr. Sulu nearly died in an early Star Trek: The Original Series episode because the Starship Enterprise lacked a shuttlecraft.
Only a few of the 13 Constitution Class starships were seen inStar Trekbesides the USS Enterprise. The Constitution Class USS Defiant was nearly identical to Enterprise and accidentally traveled to the 22nd-century Mirror Universe. The USS Constellation, under the command of Commodore Matt Decker (William Windom), was destroyed by aplanet-killer doomsday machine robot. Commanded by Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano), the USS Cayuga was destroyed by the Gorn inStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.
USS Enterprise & Constitution Class Is Star Trek’s Signature Ship Design
Enterprise Is One Of Science Fiction & Pop Culture’s Most Recognizable Space Ships
With its saucer section and sweeping twin nacelles, the Constitution Class USS Enterprise is not only the signature starship design inStar Trek,but it’s also one of the most recognizable in pop culture. Walter “Matt” Jeffries designed the original model of the USS Enterprise forStar Trek,andit’s a work of genius.In profile, Enterprise takes the shape of a bird in flight, and it’s perhaps the most easily identifiable icon ofStar Trek.
Star Trek: The Original Series didn’t have the VFX to assemble all 13 Constitution Class starships as an armada.
Despite myriad variations, nearly every starship design inStar Trekis based on the Constitution Class USS Enterprise. Nacelle size, number, and saucer configuration can vary, but mostStar Trekshipsmaintain Enterprise’s general saucer and nacelle design.Star Trek: The Original Seriesdidn’t have the VFX to assemble all 13 Constitution Class starships as an armada, but that would have been an impressive sight to behold.
