USS Miranda (NCC-77000-B)

The USS Miranda (NCC-77000-B) is a Pathfinder class Prototype launched from Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards in 2375.

=History=

Origins of the Name
Miranda, in astronomy, one of the moons, or natural satellites, of Uranus. The moon was the first location that dilithium was discovered naturally, and enabled warp speed to become an operative mode of travel rather quickly.

Miranda is also the only daughter of Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest. The pair were abandoned on an island by some enemies of Prospero. Some travelers from their country land on the island and Miranda falls in love with the young prince, who ends up rescuing them and bringing them back to civilization. One might recognize this quote from Miranda in Act V:

"O, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in't!"

This quote adorned the commissioning plaque of the first two Starships to bear the name Miranda. The last three (including present) vessels to bear the name have borne the following quote:

"Do not go gentle into that good night, rage, rage, rage against the dying of the light" --Dylan Thomas

Construction
The Pathfinder Class Development Project began the year following confirmed approvals from Starfleet Command and the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. By 2376 the prototype was completed and began her shakedown cruise shortly thereafter. In 2377 the Pathfinder Class was launched and designated as the ultimate in front-line Explorers|. This vessel was initially named USS Pathfinder, but recommissioned USS Miranda-B at the request of [[Fleet Admiral Victor Murdock and in honor of the previous vessel to bear the name, the Jupiter class USS Miranda (NCC-77000-A).

Service Record
Launched in 2377, the USS Miranda-B was assigned to units on the outer Federation territories to perform patrol and presence missions, as well as the routine mapping and exploration duties that any Starfleet vessel is expected to carry out. In the rush to get the Pathfinder Class prototype commissioned however, the components to make the Secondary and Tertiary hulls completely self-sufficient were not yet installed.

After a major refitting in early 2378, the MVAM features of the USS Miranda-B were fully enabled, at approximately the same time as the Miranda's sister ships, Pathfinder and Stargazer, were completed.

=Crew=