Nebula Class

Nebula Class
Affiliation:	Federation Starfleet
Service Period:	24th - 25th Centuries
Dimensions
Length:	442 meters
Width:	318 meters
Height:	108 meters
Mass:	3,502,000 metric tons
Specifications
Decks:	32
Crew:	725 personnel
Speed:	Warp 9.3 (First Generation) Warp 9.6 (Second Generation) Warp 9.9 (Third Generation)
Armament:	Phaser Arrays Torpedo Launchers
Defenses:	Shields
Auxiliary craft:	Starfleet Shuttlecraft

Overview

With peace reigning between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Star Empire having left galactic politics, Starfleet Command ordered large scale exploration of the galaxy. Many vessels were ordered through this project, including the Galaxy Class, but Starfleet quickly realized that their new flagship class would be a resource intensive platform. Knowing that they needed a more modest exploratory vessel to supplement their forces, Starfleet ordered the Advanced Starship Design Bureau to begin work on another vessel that would incorporate the same advanced components, systems, and design features in a more cost-effective manner.

Assigned to Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems at the 40 Eridani A Starfleet Construction Yards near Vulcan, the Nebula Class was designed to perform various scientific and exploratory roles along with patrol and transport duties throughout Federation territory and beyond. Members of the class would be outfitted with an extensive array of multi-purpose weaponry and new technologies. Highly modular through the inclusion of a configurable mission pod, Nebula Class ships were intended to replace the Miranda Class as a workhorse class throughout the Federation; however, the emergence of the Borg threat and the Dominion War would delay this process. Despite this, the Nebula Class would become the most numerous of the large scale explorers of the late 24th Century.

Capabilities

Highly inspired by the Miranda Class it was designed to replace, the first generation of Nebula Class vessels were christened in 2361. Comprising two hull sections, a saucer shaped primary hull affixed atop the cylindrical secondary hull. Twin, downward mounted Warp Nacelles have been integrated with the secondary hull, directly below the saucer module. The Impulse Engines of the Nebula Class were hidden behind specialized baffles to scatter their energy signature to limit the ability of the Nebula Class to be tracked by combatants. Early components were slightly modified Galaxy Class modules; however, later generation components were unchanged from those of the Galaxy. Due to its compact stature, vessels of the Nebula Class have slightly less internal volume than the Galaxy Class and lower crew requirements than its counterpart.

The most distinctive feature of the Nebula Class is the inclusion of a large connective pylon atop the secondary hull. This superstructure allows the installation of a configurable equipment module to the starship, enhancing the abilities of the Nebula Class. Early pod choices were limited to Fleet Command, Propulsion, Sensors, or Weapons; however, additional pods were designed following first contact with the Borg Collective and the Dominion to enhance the abilities of the Nebula. Nonetheless, even without the configurable pod, the Nebula is a capable research and combat platform. The design incorporates permanent scientific laboratories, engineering shops, and even a fourth computer core to aid in data processing. Nebula Class starships feature the ability to complete high-energy sensor sweeps; however, these scans would cycle every 5.5 minutes and require the ship's shields to be recalibrated. Ships of the class have a weapons range just shy of 300,000 kilometers.

Refits and Variants

Due to the highly modular design of the Nebula Class through the inclusion of the configurable mission pod, each pod creates a variant design for the Nebula Class. Shortly before the Dominion War, refits of the Nebula Class were initiated to improve engines and sensors. With the outbreak of combat with the Dominion, vessels already scheduled for refit began receiving enhancements to their tactical arrays including the installation of a point defense phaser system that could be used to assist in the destruction of enemy projectiles during fleet action.

Mission Profiles

Due to the modular nature of the Nebula Class design, vessels of this lineage are highly adaptable and can undertake almost any mission type assigned thanks to their modular mission pod assembly.

Naming Conventions

Commonly, Nebula Class vessels are named in honor of historic vessels from throughout the Federation or famous scientists who have made breakthroughs that enhanced the Federation's understanding of the galaxy.

Notable Starships

U.S.S. Nebula, Class Prototype U.S.S. Endeavour U.S.S. Farragut U.S.S. Merrimack U.S.S. Monitor U.S.S. Phoenix U.S.S. Sutherland

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