* James Dixon C O N S T E L L A T I O N C L A S S S T A R C R U I S E R Updated: 9505 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the Design Tank... ________________ _ _ Hangar Door (4) (-_______________\ |_)--=--(_| \ _-_ ,-' / _I_ ______Main Bridge ____.\--'___`---._,-'___/ ____.---'---`---.____ \_____==_==_____==__](@)----Impulse \___________________/ `'`--.____.-' -==`. \ Drive Module `-.___.______Sensor Suite Phaser / `-' ____`._\_________ _ `|' _ Cannon (3) (-_______________/ |_)--"--(_| / Portside Profile / Bow View / .-------./Standard Phaser Warp Drive .-' _.---._/ `-._ Emplacements Nacelle (4) / .-' /`-. __`______________ / / ../ (_=_==========)__/ | / .--,_ |_\ /-----------Nacelle Support Pylon (4) | | /.-. \ .-|____|___| | | : \`-' _/ `-| _| |-----------Secondary Hull | \ `--' ___|_/___\______ \ \ .. (_=_==========)__\ \ `-._ _.-' _.' `-. `---' _.-' \ `-------' \ Laminate Hull Topside View U.S.S. CONSTELLATION CN 1017 Class Star Cruiser (No Logo Authorized) Constellation (CN 1017) class Star Cruiser Design Philosophy & Purpose: The Constellation (CN 1017) class Star Cruiser is presently at the drawing board stage, and the prototype is scheduled to be constructed early in 2297. To look at the external layout the craft would not seem to be a Cruiser-type at all, in view of its Frigate-type extended hull rather than the customary secondary hull, but ay way you look at it, the Constellation class is a definite departure from established starship designs. The first innovation is the so-called "laminated hull." This features a wider and thicker addition sandwiched between the upper and lower primary hull surfaces. This portion more than triples the internal volume of the hull, while only doubling the mass, thus increasing the operating duration of the vessel markedly. But perhaps the most striking innovation is the double-tandem perpendicular nacelle design. Due to the tonnage of the vessel, two conventional nacelles would be unable to propel the vessel above wf3.4 without overloading the nacelles. A seeming throwback in the era of the Excelsior (CX 2000) class nacelle, the double-tandem perpen- dicular design represents a different but valid approach to the Star Cruiser's intended mission: long-range extended exploration. In addition to being Transwarp-capable in its present deployment, the presence of four nacelles allows a vessel with one or two damaged nacelles th option of re- configuring its remaining units for a wf2.9 return to Federation space. This was deemed essential, since the Constellation class is intended to operate well outside of the Federation, where assistance might be weeks or months away, and a degree of self-sufficiency was vital. The vessel's hangar and fire-power facilities and capabilities are im- pressive, bordering on those of the Adamant (DNF 3029) class Dreadnought. There are four hangars, two port and starboard. In addition to the three phaser cannon pods mounted beneath the primary hull, there are two seperate torpedo pods, each with two tubes facing fore and aft. These pods are mounted between the upper pair of nacelles and between the lower pair as well. Mission Objectives: As stated, the mission of the Star Cruisers will be long range extended duration exploration probes, far outside the present boundaries of the Federation Treaty Zone. It is expected that each vessel will undertake a five-year mission. This seems unremarkable until it is realized that the entire five years will be spent exploring extra-Federation space, with no ports-of-call, the only Federation contact being subspace communications and the occasional rendezvous with other far-ranging starships. Vessel Specifications & Related Data: Prototype Name: U.S.S. Constellation Construction Contract: NCC-1017 Series: Class 1b Starship Design: Cruiser Type: Star Cruiser (CN) Complement: 80 Officers 560 Enlisted Crewmen Overall Length: 313.9 meters Overall Draft: 61.5 meters Overall Beam: 141.7 meters Displacement: 325,000 tonnes Predicted Performance Characteristics (Static): Warp Dynamic Efficiency: Power Coefficient Indice 1.44 Powerplant: Maximum Output 4.9 x 10^15 Optimum Output 3.7 x 10^15 Subspace Field: Field Strength 6.0 x 10^8 Field Threshold 2.1 x 10^10 Field Persistance 12.5 Field Radius 587.0 Field Capacity 500,000 [From 'Starfleet Prototype' copyright (c) 2292 by the Star Fleet Academy Training Command Press] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STAR CRUISER CONSTELLATION CLASS General Information Specific Role: The Star Cruiser is a long range exploration research vessel. This vessel is equipped with six multipurpose research bays that allow various experiments and sensors to be exposed to space. The Star Cruiser is able to maintain sustained warp speeds for extended periods of time through the use of four warp nacelles which phase-shift through alternating pairs to reduce the stress to any one engine. The additional engines and redundant equipment allow the cruiser to explore areas away from Federation space where assistance may not be immediately available. Physical Description: The Star Cruiser's extra thick (XTPH147/F-M1) hull uses elements from standard primary hull designs and is equipped with ad- ditional research systems and laboratories. Integrated into the standard deflector grid are additional electronic counter-measures to make the vessel more stealthy. The hull is equipped with the (BS11/S-D3) bridge which incor- porates the enhanced sensor and scientific stations. On the lower part of the primary hull is the (SM54/9K) main sensor array and (DN6/1-V) navigational dome. Located on the port, starboard, and bow of the primary hull (both top and bottom) are six (BP2/30-2C) phaser banks. To the front of the primary hull both port and starboard are two (HP2/22-2G) heavy phaser banks. Incorp- orated into the nacelle support pylons are forward and rear firing (PB1-1/50 -10E) photon torpedo tubes. On the lower forward section of the primary hull are (DN6/A-9) navigational deflectors which assist the navigational shields in deflecting oncoming debris. To the front of the primary hull is a medium hangar deck. Around the primary hull are six multipurpose research bays. To the rear of the hull are two (IRF35E/5-TR) dual impulse units which are used for auxiliary power and subwarp propulsion. The cruiser's warp fields are generated by four (SW52/1-5RT) warp nacelles attached in pairs. Each set is attached to the primary hull by (DU/40-30T) support pylons. Inside the pylons is the (M18/12-2E) intermix chamber. To the rear of the hull are the (AM8/58-7S) matter/antimatter storage tanks which allow for emergency jettis- oning. In the event of an emergency the primary hull can separate from one or more of the warp nacelles and proceed on the remaining nacelle or impulse power. Statistics Classification: Star Cruiser Category: Research Vessel Class: Constellation Type: Class 1 Model: MK-XXVI Naval Construction Contract: 1974 Number Proposed: 9 Number Constructed: 9 Number in Service: 7 Number Lost: 2 Dimensions: Overall Dimensions (Meters) Length: 305.97m Width: 161.89m Height: 84.50m Primary Hull Dimensions (Meters) Length: 205.18m Width: 161.88m Height: 50.91m Warp Unit Dimensions (Meters) Length: 155.59m Width: 12.63m Height: 18.32m Displacement (Metric Tons) Light: 332,449mt Standard: 356,182mt Full Load: 397,613mt Performance: Impulse Units: 2 Dual Unit (IRF35E/5-TR) Impulse Engine Output: 1.6x10^14 W Impulse Power Index: 1.034 Max Cruising: C Acceleration Rate: 0.00-0.25 Impulse: 0.180 sec. 0.25-0.50 Impulse: 0.270 sec. 0.50-0.75 Impulse: 0.361 sec. 0.75-Full Impulse: 0.451 sec. Warp Units: 4 Nacelle Units (SW54/1-5UI) Warp Engine Output: 2.4x10^15 W Warp Power Index: 1.11 Optimum Speed: Warp 6 Max. Safe Cruising: Warp 8.1 Emergency Speed: Warp 9 Max. Speed: Warp 9.25 Destructive Speed: Warp 9.35 Acceleration Power: 3.0 Acceleration Times: Warp 1 - Warp 2: 0.180 sec. Warp 2 - Warp 3: 0.288 sec. Warp 3 - Warp 4: 1.091 sec. Warp 4 - Warp 5: 1.569 sec. Warp 5 - Warp 6: 1.677 sec. Warp 6 - Warp 7: 1.812 sec. Warp 7 - Warp 8: 2.236 sec. Warp 8 - Warp 9: 3.327 sec. Warp 9 - Warp 9.5: 7.393 sec. Warp 9.5 - Warp 9.75: 8.565 sec. Warp 9.75 - Warp 9.9: 17.760 sec. Duration (Years) Standard: 7 Years Maximum: 28 Years Std. Ships Complement: 532 Officers: 85 Crew (Ensign Grade): 416 Troops: 31 Passengers: 90 Emergency condition: +500 Medical Facilities: Doctors: 5 Nurses: 26 Operating Rooms: 4 Beds: 26 Laboratories: 23 Transporters Total: 12 6 Person: 4 22 Person: 4 Small Cargo: 2 Medium Cargo: 2 Brigs: 22 Replicators: 27 Tractor Beams: 1 Tow Capacity: 3.88x10^6mt Max Range: 1.94x10^5km Cargo Specification: Standard Cargo Units: 558 Cargo Capacity: 27,900mt Shuttlecraft Specifications: Docking Ports: 3 Shuttlecraft Bays Total: 1 Medium Bay Shuttlecraft Standard: 31 Work Bees: 2 Travel Pods: 1 Aquatic Shuttle: 3 Light Shuttle: 3 Standard Shuttle: 10 Survey Shuttle: 10 Cargo Shuttle: 1 Fighters: 3 Lifeboats: 35 Turbolift (8 person): 24 Lifeboat (10 person): 7 Lifeboat (20 person): 3 Lifeboat (30 person): 1 Cloaking Devices: 0 Sensor Index Values: Planetary Survey: 4.5679 Stellar Survey: 1.5909 Short Range: 1.3065 Long Range: 1.3256 Navigation: 1.1040 Special: 1.7811 Computers: 2 Type: Daystrom Duotronic IVa Type: Daystrom Duotronic III:e ECM Index: 1.25 Shield Rating: Shield Index: 0.62 Holdoff Power: 3.60x10^12 W Refresh Rate: 1.02x10^12 W Breakdown Rate: 1.23x10^12 W Shield Dimensions (Meters) Length: 386.50m Width: 204.49m Height: 106.74m Weapons: Phaser Power Index: 1.43 Photon Power Index: 1.02 Vessel Power Index: 1.23 Weapon Placement: Beam (Phasers) Total: 6 banks 2 each Output: 5.0x10^11 W / 2.5x10^11 W Range: 2.5x10^5km Rate of Fire: 30 ppm/Cont. Forward Banks: 2 Port Banks: 2 Starboard Banks: 2 Lower Banks: 1 Beam (Heavy Phasers) Total: 2 banks 2 each Output: 1.3x10^12 W / 6.5x10^11 W Range: 8.9x10^5km Rate of FIre: 10 ppm/Cont. Port/Starboard Banks: 2 Torpedoes (Photon) Total: 2 Bays 2 each Stock: 80 Range: 2.0x10^15km Output: 10-50 Megatons Rate of Fire: 10 spm Forward Bay: 2 Rear Bay: 2 Warp Fields Field Length: 737.74m Field Width: 220.46m Field Height: 117.49m Front Warp Field Profile Cross Section Area: 17949.52m^2 Port Warp Field Profile Cross Section Area: 58473.36m^2 Top Warp Field Profile Cross Section Area: 105548.56m^2 Ship Names The following ships of the MK-XXVI Class were authorized by the amended Articles of Federation of stardate 2285.1 Constellation NCC-1974* Gettysburg NCC-38902 Hathaway NCC-2593 Lientorary NCC-5371 Nebulary NCC-1442 Oday NCC-26850 Stargazer NCC-2893** Starquest NCC-2894** Victory NCC-9754 *Class ship. **Lost in the line of duty. All names preceded with "U.S.S." [From 'Jackill's Star Fleet Reference Manual, Ships of the Fleet Volume II' copyright (c) circa 2285] Jimmy Dee Notes/Comments: ------------------------- This is the most detailed technical info we've got on the Constellation class starship of TNG... Other members of this class we've seen in TNG include the Hathaway (NCC-2593) of "Peak Performance," the Stargazer (NCC-2893) of "The Battle," the Victory (NCC-9754) of "Elementary, Dear Data," and supposedly the Gettysberg (NCC-3890) of "Too Short A Season," the "Magellan" (NCC-3069) of "Starship Mine," and the Ferrel lost in the novel "The Children of Hamlin"... The USS Constellation presented in Starfleet Prototype has the number NCC-1017, the same as the earlier Constitution class Constellation lost in "The Doomsday Machine"... Whether this number gets a letter suffix appended or is changed isn't known but the model on Picard's desk (seen close up in "Who Watches The Watchers") reads NCC-7100 with no name (it's not the Stargazer so it's possible the class ship Constellation)... Okuda says the class ship was NCC-1974, which is also used in Jackill's Manual... Another oddity is the USS Hathaway. According to "Peak Performance" she was built some 80 years ago, around 2285... is a good 10 years before the Constellation class should be in production going by Starfleet Prototype so either what was said in the episode was erroneous or else we're dealing with another starship conversion/"testbed" project where an earlier starship was converted over to a later class (which happened to be the case with the original USS Constellation--built, launched, and commissioned as an Horizon class cruiser before refitting to a Constitution class heavy cruiser according to Treknical references like Ships of the Star Fleet (NOT to be confused with Jackill's publications)... Otherwise, if the Constellation class is indeed a 2280's design, the USS Constellation lost in the Achernar nova described in the novel "Time For Yesterday" (set in 2280, by the Tech Fandom timeline) might have been the class ship... Set a decade earlier, another Constellation appears in the novel "My Enemy, My Ally" although it's highly doubtful that this is the Constellation class prototype for numerous reasons... The "most recent" USS Constellation is acknowledged in Ships Of The Star Fleet Volume 1: a Cyane class heavy frigate (an improved Avenger class): NCC-1895, laid down in 2286 and commissioned in 2287... Again, related in name only... Aside from numbers, there are various conflicts between these two publications. I can only speculate that these first ships were ordered in 2285 and then, by 2292 the program was frozen and put back into the research and development phase, probably to integrate new technological developments into the design (see the later paragraph on Transwarp)... Minute changes were integrated into the ship, notably the removal of the Heavy Phasers mounted in the bow and the installation of Phaser Cannons where the Jackill's design features navi- gational deflector blisters... The Starfleet Prototype configuration also shows us that her metric tonnage was drastically decreased (perhaps contrib- uting to her greater warp capacity) while her complement was Increased... As should be noted, Jackill's uses a radically different warp scale than that used in the original series: it's on an asymptote but not employing the Wf^(10/3) power--warp factors are identical up through warp factor 9, but above they're asymptotic... In the classic scale's equivalent (used invariably in all other publications for 23rd Century ships) Jackill's Constellation has a maximum speed only marginally greater than warp 9... But the obvious conflicts are in the class listing... Granted, this is only the first "batch" of ships to be ordered (others, built later, are of course the ones seen in later episodes/films After this was published!) but what of the loss of the Stargazer? Jackill's works are 23rd Century publications and we know the Stargazer was lost well into the 24th Century... His first volume was definitely set in the late 2270s (which would justify the oddball warp scale, undoubtedly phased out by the time of later Treknical publications which went back to the classic warp scale)... This second volume is set as late as 2285... The Stargazer problem is probably yet another glitch, much like the Farragut and the "Defiance" in the original Star Fleet Technical Manual... This class listing is significant though for it's chronologically the first class listing to employ non-sequential NCCs! This trend will continue for TNG Era starships... Your guess is as good as mine as to why... The immediate predecessor of the Constellation class is undoubtedly the Cheetah class fast cruiser (detailed in Jackill's Star Fleet Reference Manual: Ships of the Fleet Volume 1) built in the 2270s... Ships of this class closely resemble the Constellation class star cruisers but employ the basic Class 1-B (movie era) primary hull in place of the "laminate hull" and for this reason are probably structurally limited to warp 9.7 (though can obviously sustain such high speeds for considerably longer periods of time than any other starship class due to the 4 nacelles)... Having just the simple saucer module limits her capabilities greatly--the Cheetah has one small portside hangar on her topside hull, unlike the massive hangar bays of the Constellation... The Cheetah also lacks the unique 90 degree rotated impulse drive configuration and megaphaser cannon of the Constellation (though this is compensated for by an extended forward torpedo bay beneath the saucer's bow... These ships are worthy of comparison to the Constellation class starships, a few general specs... Overall Length: 267.47 meters Overall Draft: 59.30 meters Overall Beam: 147.51 meters Displacement (Full Load): 199,873 tonnes Maximum Duration: 20 Years Standard Ships Complement: 346 Weapons: 12 standard phaser emplacements, 2 torpedo tubes Number Constructed: 10 (NCC-3900 thru NCC-3910) Number Proposed: 41 The "Transwarp-capable" statement's debatable--as I see it (explained in my Chronology file) it's quite possible that a new drive system was salvaged from the abandoned Transwarp drive project and still loosely called Tranwarp for utilizing the same energy-distribution hardware and intermix sequence, which is how Starfleet Prototype describes Transwarp retrofitting--counter to the original drive outline in Starfleet Dynamics also published through SFATPC... Included is a very detailed outboard profile of the Constellation, identical to the ship seen in TNG and Okuda's TNG graphic screen... Any minute differences between this drawing and her sisters in TNG can be attrib- uted to this being the prototype... For anyone interested in the static tech specs... Power Coefficient Indice refers to the number of Joules/second required to operate warp drive at a given warp factor, measured in 0.1 Petajoules per second... 1 PCI delivers wf1.0, 2 PCI delivers wf2.0 etc... (The Enterprise class has a PCI of 1.003)... Field Strength is the inherent energy stored in a static subspace field (warp factor 0.0), measured in Cochranes... (The Enterprise class has a Field Strength of 3.2 x 10^8)... Field Threshold is the minimum energy in Joules per second required to gen- erate the static subspace field (wf0.0)... (The Enterprise class has a Field Threshold of 1.0 x 10^10)... Field Persistance is the time (measured in seconds) from energy cut-off to subspace field collapse and warp dump... (The Enterprise class has a Field Persistance of 8 seconds)... Field Radius is the distance from the vessel's center of mass to the sub- space field boundary, measured in meters... (The Enterprise class has a Field Radius of 427 meters)... Field Capacity is the maximum vessel/load mass actionable by the field at warp factor 5.0, in metric tonnes... (The Enterprise class has a Field Capacity of 350,000)... And for Jackill's... Acceleration Power is the value that a warp number is raised to to determine its speed as a multiple of light... Ideally this is always 3 for 23rd Century starships, though Jackill puts an asymptote between Warp 9 and (unreachable) Warp 10... ECM Index is a general guide to the ship's ability to evade detection based upon the Enterprise Class Heavy Cruiser (1.0)... Sensor Index Values is a general guide to the ship's sensor abilities with the Enterprise Class Heavy Cruiser again being the standard (1.0)...