Constellation class

The Constellation-class exploratory cruiser (also classified as fast cruiser or medium cruiser) was in Starfleet service in the 23rd and 24th centuries. A notable feature of the Constellation class was that it was one of the few classes to use a four nacelle configuration.

The Constellation was launched in 2284. (Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 4: Starships of the Original Series Era) Production of the class ceased in the 2350s and Starfleet planned to retire the class fully by the mid-2380s. (Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 1: The Ships of Starfleet)

Nomenclature

The class and prototype vessel were named after the star grouping constellation, as well as various Earth seagoing vessels and previous starships such as a Daedalus-class starship of the 22nd century, and the Constitution-class starship.

Alternate continuities

In one timeline, the prototype vessel was launched in 2299 and disappeared into a wormhole during trials. The Galileo-class starcruisers took its place as front-line exploration vessels. (Starfleet Guides Vol. II: Galileo-Class Starcruiser — Ship's Organization and Regulations Manual)

Orion Press

Apart from the prototype and initial block of Constellations commissioned in 2284 (Starfleet Ships: Patrol Ships, Light Cruisers, Escorts, Assault Patrol Cruisers, Command Cruisers, Assault Cruisers, Frigates, Fast Frigates, Light Frigates, Long Range Cruisers), Orion Press posited three additional blocks of vessels authorized for construction in 2288, 2290, and 2292. (Starfleet Ships: Heavy Cruisers, Heavy Frigates, Attack Frigates, Fast Cruisers, Transports, Dreadnoughts, Carriers)

The heavily-armored primary hull of the Constellations was also used for other classes of starships launched in the same era: Albany-class fleet tenders; Archangel-class fighter escorts; Oberon-class survey cruisers; San Diego-class repair tenders; and Sea Witch-class clippers. (Starfleet Ships: Troop Transports, Survey Cruisers, Deep Space Explorers, Perimeter Action Vessels, Tactical Cruisers, Minesweepers, Fighter Escorts, Fleet Tenders, Repair Tenders, Corsairs, Corvettes, Clippers, Schooners, Cutters, Light Transports)

FASA

FASA posited four total blocks of Constellations commissioned, in 2284, 2290, 2301 and 2320. (Federation Ship Recognition Manual, Vol. 2)

Constellation-class starships
Prototype (2270s): USS Constellation - Block I (2276): USS Sempach - USS Speedwell
Block II (early 2280s): USS Hathaway - Block III (2288): USS Tristan - USS Valkyrie
Block IV (2290): USS Gettysburg - USS Stargazer - Block V (2292): USS Bradley - USS Chosin - USS Jamestown-B - Block VI (after 2292, but before 2299): USS Magellan
Block VII (2301-2304): USS Espero - USS Hathor - USS Helena Harvey - Block VIII (2320): USS Ceres - USS Constance - USS Gihlan - USS Victory
Star Trek: The Interim Years: USS Investigator - USS Iskenderun - USS Montrose - USS Roebuck - Star Trek: The Prospect Chronicles: USS Artemis - USS Huskie
USS Antietam - USS Antares - USS Billings - USS Calgary - USS Ceres - USS Cochise - USS Fading Sun - USS Ferrel - USS Gibraltar - USS Pisces - USS Reliant - USS Tubman - USS Vespucci - USS Windhoek

Background information

• Specifications from the Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 1: The Ships of Starfleet.

External links

• Constellation class article at Memory Alpha, the canon Star Trek wiki.
• Constellation class article at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek wiki.
• Federation Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 2 JPG file
• Federation Starship Recognition Manual II, 2nd Edition FASA 2308 PDF file
• Starfleet Ships: Patrol Ships, Light Cruisers, Escorts, Assault Patrol Cruisers, Command Cruisers, Assault Cruisers, Frigates, Fast Frigates, Light Frigates, Long Range Cruisers PDF file
• Starfleet Ships: Heavy Cruisers, Heavy Frigates, Attack Frigates, Fast Cruisers, Transports, Dreadnoughts, Carriers PDF file
• Star Trek: Starship Tactical Combat Simulator: Illustrious Class XII Fast Cruiser