Starfleet Ship Specifications

Neptune-class

The 'Intrepid-type' ships, first seen on 'The Expanse'

Type Light Explorer (previously Explorer, Cruiser in combat)
Length 170 metres (approx.)
Beam 135 metres (approx.)
Draft 30 metres (approx.)
Decks 6
Standard crew 47
Maximum speed Warp 3.6
Armament 2 phase cannons (turret mounted, can fire aft), 2 torpedo launchers (photonic-rated, both forward), 4 plasma banks (3 forward, 1 aft)
Defenses Mark IV polarized hull plating
Auxiliary crafts 1 shuttlepod, 2 observation pods
Other systems Grappler (duel clamps, turret mounted), matter transporter (some vessels only, recent upgrade)

The Neptune-class starships were the primary ship of the line until the NX-01 came into service. They were responsible for all exploration duties, although such missions were limited as the range of Starfleet vessels was much shorter. Recent engine upgrades have pushed both the speed of the vessel to warp factor 3.6 and the range to almost double what it was, but they are still significantly outclassed by the NX fleet. They are currently Starfleet’s second largest and most capable vessel, though with plans for newer designs based on the technologies of the NX ships on the drawing board, it is estimated that these will retire from active service sometime in the next decade after so far clocking up only 13 years of service time. It has been deemed too costly to refit them all with warp 5 ability, though Starfleet engineers believe the design can operate at those speeds.

Stylistically, the class shares a lot with its older cousin, the NX. Many of the interior areas of vessels like Enterprise and Columbia were fashioned after the designs of the Neptune-class. Originally only armed with 4 plasma banks as energy weapons, the craft may seem underprotected for its size when compared with ships like the Iceland-class, but the twin torpedo launchers more than made up for this shortcoming. The launchers were also the first in the fleet to be photonic-rated, since the powerful new form of torpedo was in the very early development stages during the first batch run of these ships. Only the Neptune herself was never fitted for their use. The class’s scientific and study facilities matched only by those of dedicated vessels and those aboard the NX-class, sporting biopsy, chem. and physics laboratories, as well as areas of geological, astrometrical, cartographical and spaces for mission-specific modules.

Though they are second-rate to the NX fleet, they are still a worthy and sought-after command. They are mastered by officers of Captain rank, and occasionally Commodore.

Known vessels of the Neptune-class:

Iceland-class

The triangle, fighter-like, Delta-type ships first seen on The Expanse

Type Escort/Defence (Frigate in combat)
Length 130 metres (approx.)
Beam 123 metres (approx.)
Draft 20 metres (approx.)
Decks 4
Standard crew 28
Maximum speed Warp 3
Armament 1 phase cannon (turret mounted, can fire aft), 4 plasma banks (all forward)
Defenses Mark III polarized hull plating
Auxiliary crafts None
Other systems Grappler (single clamp, turret mounted)

Constructed as part of the unified Sol Defence Force, the sole purpose of this craft was as a patrol vessel for use in and around Earth and the colonies, warding off increasing pirate attacks. Though capable of warp speed travel, the craft are not designed to operate for long durations far from a port or supply outpost. The design is based on the older Starfleet and Earth Navy delta-wing spacecraft (fighters in the case of the latter). The original armament of the Iceland-class was just the 4 forward plasma banks, which combined with the design’s unmatched manoeuvrability, brought a fearsome amount of firepower to bear on whichever brigand vessel was foolish enough to challenge Earth trading routes. As the Earth Cargo Service and other trading companies expanded their range, however, it became increasingly difficult for these craft to protect the cargo freighters due to their lack of deep-space ability. The design became somewhat redundant and was almost scrapped, until the Xindi attack of 2153.

The ships were all refitted with a single, turret-mounted phase cannon which seriously bolstered the combat capability of the design. Now they are employed in the defence of the ever-increasing amount of Starfleet facilities and Earth colonies, and have proved their worth time and time again in combat with Nausicaans, Orions and other such rogues. Like most Starfleet ships, the class is capable of planetary landing, and thus has no need for shuttlepods.

Vessels of this design are commanded mostly by Commanders and officers of the new rank, Lieutenant Commander.

Known vessels of the Iceland-class:

Eaves-class

The spear-shaped 'Sarajevo-type' ships first seen on Home.

Type Observation/Survey (Corvette in combat)
Length 105 metres (approx.)
Beam 55 metres (approx.)
Draft 25 metres (approx.)
Decks 5
Standard crew 36
Maximum speed Warp 3.6
Armament 4 plasma banks (2 forward, 2 aft), 1 torpedo launcher (forward firing, spatial-rated only)
Defenses Mark III polarized hull plating
Auxiliary crafts 1 observation pod
Other systems Grappler (single clamp, turret mounted), matter transporter (some vessels only, recent upgrade)

The Eaves-class, named after retired design engineer Commodore John Eaves, was a joint human-Vulcan venture to construct a long-duration observation vehicle for Starfleet use. The idea was that the craft would operate away from Earth and her colonies for months at a time on scientific survey missions. While Earth cargo ships had been operating for such lengths of time for decades, they only had small crews and an adequate amount of living space for such people. Starfleet vessels, however, required much larger crews and the ability to accommodate entire teams of mission specialists. After several failed designs of their own, Starfleet turned to the Vulcans for help. Though adamant about not sharing any ‘classified’ technology, they were complacent to aid in the endeavour. The result was a ship that looks Vulcan in style, due to the rather unique warp engine, but that is built and operated my human crews. They were the first Starfleet vessels to reach warp 3.6, and are thus often employed as rapid courier craft when key personnel are needed at a certain place yesterday.

One obvious giveaway that the ship is from Earth are the rows of windows on the bridge and observation decks. The vessel was designed between 2132 and 2137 when Starfleet still relied heavily on visual observation in their craft. There was a viewer installed, but Eaves felt that the use of the naked aye was key to a successful observer craft that could be flying only metres from a comet or mere inches from a moon’s surface. Their weapon systems are adequate, with the 4 plasma banks being able to see off most pirate threats. The single launcher installed under the nose was designed primarily to deploy probes, and vessels of the Eaves-class did not even carry torpedoes until the aftermath of the Xindi incident in 2153. Due to the fact that photonic torpedoes were not even in the development stages when this craft was first produced, the launcher is not capable of firing them and it would require too great of a retrofit to make it so. The ship has a single observation pod for mission purposes, and a few have recently been fitted with matter transporters, though not all.

These vessels are usually under the command of Commanders, and only very occasionally Captains.

Known vessels of the Eaves-class:

Solar-class (Солнечно-Тип)

Type Courier/Patrol (Cutter in combat)
Length 42 metres (approx.)
Beam 21 metres (approx.)
Draft 14 metres (approx.)
Decks 2
Standard crew 15
Maximum speed Full Impulse of Space Normal Speed
Armament 1 plasma bank (forward firing)
Defenses Mark I polarized hull plating (recent upgrade)
Auxiliary crafts None
Other systems None

Designed in 2087 by Albina Tabachnikov (daughter of famous Russian Space Navy Counter Admiral Vitaly Tabachnikov), the Solar-Class (or Солнечно-Тип in Russian) was intended to be the leading scientific survey craft of the Russian Space Navy as they planned to extend their peaceful exploration missions threefold and operate in conjunction with those of the other former Eastern Coalition powers (that had disbanded after World War III), the European Hegemony and the United Nations of North America at the insistence of the Vulcan High Command. Unfortunately, the larger and more durable Kyiv-Class was chosen for this role, and the Solar-Class was relegated to duties within the Sol system. Originally designed to be fitted onto a booster stage with a Vulcan warp drive (ring-configuration), the plan was never utilised as all vessels were only given tasks that required sublight speeds only. None of the scientific equipment was ever installed, and the only significant feature which remained from the original plans was the large cargo bay. Albina Tabachnikov was so dispirited with her work being changed so drastically that she left the Space Navy and never designed again.

The class eventually found itself in the service of the United Earth Navy, and subsequently Starfleet. Today, only 4 of these vessels are on active duty, and are the smallest ships on the Starfleet register. Crewed by only 15 people (a half of the original planned compliment), they are employed in short-range courier and patrol roles from Earth outposts and colonies, as well as inside the Sol system. They were recently re-fitted with Mark I polarized hull plating, as well as a single plasma bank replacing the two lasers and missile rack that the ship originally carried. A few more of these ships are in service with various non-Starfleet organisations, such as the Military Assault Command Operations, the United Earth Space Probe Agency and the Jupiter Mining Corporation, but have certainly seen better days (the last vessel of this class was constructed in 2123).

These vessels (in Starfleet service) are found under the command of Lieutenants, although one, the Djinn (formerly Затмение – Eclipse), is now under the command of a Lieutenant Commander since the CO was promoted for a conspicuous act of gallantry).

Known vessels of the Solar-Class:



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