Simone Lawson
The Constitution-class was a Federation Starship-class, Class I heavy cruiser that was used as a premier exploratory Starfleet vessel during the mid-23rd century. They were designed for long-duration exploration and patrol missions with minimal outside support. By 2401, the original Constitution-class had been phased out, with a few remaining as training vessels. There is no mention of the Constitution-class starships in The Next Generation (TNG) series, and it is speculated that they were not included because they were considered 'legacy ships. However, some fans have theorised that the Constitution-class starships could have been upgraded and remained in service during the TNG era.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Class | Federation Starship-class, Class I heavy cruiser |
| Usage | Premier exploratory Starfleet vessels, long-duration exploration and patrol missions |
| Operating endurance | Five-year mission cycles, with an operating endurance of eighteen years |
| Production | At least twelve Constitution-class starships were commissioned by Starfleet |
| Production locations | San Francisco Fleet Yards, California, and Luna's Tranquility Base |
| Speed | Warp 8 on the old scale (maximum rated cruise speed) is 512c |
| Design | Saucer section-engineering section-warp nacelle layout common to most Starfleet vessels |
| Legacy | Considered a "legacy ship" and never shown in TNG |
| Replacement | Replaced by newer starship classes like the Excelsior |
| Museum ships | USS New Jersey preserved in the Fleet Museum in its late 2260s configuration |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Stargazer was originally a Constitution-class vessel
- The USS Republic may have been a training vessel in the TNG era
- Constitution-class ships were considered legacy ships
- The USS New Jersey was preserved in the Fleet Museum
- The Constitution-class was a Federation Starship-class, Class I heavy cruiser
The USS Stargazer was originally a Constitution-class vessel
The USS Stargazer (NCC-2893) was a Federation starship operated by Starfleet during the 24th century. It was the second starship to bear the name Stargazer. The Stargazer was originally conceived as a Constitution-class vessel, the same as Captain Kirk's USS Enterprise. In the first draft script of "The Battle", the Stargazer is identified as a Constitution-class ship from the "late 23rd century". However, the final script omitted this detail, although it still contained references to the Stargazer as a Constitution-class ship.
The Constellation-class USS Stargazer was first introduced in "The Battle" and was commanded by Jean-Luc Picard, who served as a bridge officer on the vessel in 2333. Picard described the Stargazer as an overworked, underpowered vessel, always on the verge of flying apart at the seams. Despite this, he admitted there were times when he would have done anything to return to the Stargazer. The Constellation-class starships, including the USS Stargazer, were known for their deep-space exploration and defensive patrol duties during the early-to-mid-24th century.
The USS Stargazer (NCC-82893) was a later iteration of the Stargazer, a Sagan-class Federation starship operated by Starfleet in the early 25th century. This version of the Stargazer was commanded by Cristóbal Rios and later, Seven of Nine. It played a crucial role in responding to a Borg threat and was eventually seized by the Borg Collective.
The original Constitution-class starships were phased out by 2401, although a few remained as training vessels. One such example is the USS New Jersey, which was preserved in the Fleet Museum in its late 2260s configuration. The longevity of these vessels is a testament to their design and functionality, even as they were eventually replaced by newer, more advanced starships.
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The USS Republic may have been a training vessel in the TNG era
The USS Republic (NCC-1371) was a Federation starship operated by Starfleet in the 23rd and 24th centuries. By the early 24th century, the Republic was assigned as a training ship for Starfleet Academy cadets. Although it continued to serve the fleet as late as 2374, it had not left the Sol system since the 2320s.
In the MMORPG game Star Trek Online, a 2024-released mission depicts a Holodeck simulation of the Battle of Wolf 359, where the Republic's prefix is changed from USS to TS for "Training Ship". This suggests that the ship was used exclusively for training missions in the Sol system. The ship is destroyed during the battle and appears to be the wrecked Constitution-class vessel seen in the TNG episode "The Best of Both Worlds".
In TNG: "Relics", Geordi La Forge mentions that many systems are essentially unchanged since Montgomery Scott's time. This means that a ship as old as the USS Republic, especially if regularly refitted and upgraded, would be just as useful as a new ship. By the TNG era, the original Constitution-class ships had been phased out, though a few remained as training vessels.
Given the evidence, it is plausible that the USS Republic was a training vessel in the TNG era, despite not having left the Sol system since the 2320s.
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Constitution-class ships were considered legacy ships
The Constitution-class ships were not designed to be future-proof, and they could not keep up with the upgrades and modifications required for prolonged service. Their role in the fleet was taken over by more modern classes like the Excelsior, Miranda, and Oberth, which were designed to be more upgrade-friendly and versatile. The producers of Star Trek also wanted to avoid confusion and maintain a clear distinction between the movie and TV franchises, so they chose not to feature the Constitution-class ships in TNG.
Despite their absence in TNG, there is evidence that some Constitution-class ships remained in service as training vessels during this period. The USS Republic, for example, is believed to have served as a training ship in the TNG era. Additionally, the USS New Jersey, a Constitution-class starship retaining its original design, was preserved in the Fleet Museum in the 24th century.
The absence of Constitution-class ships in TNG is notable, especially considering their versatility and strength on the front line. Some fans have speculated that the class could have been upgraded and kept in service, similar to other contemporary ship classes. However, the decision to phase out the class in TNG was likely influenced by a combination of narrative choices and practical considerations, such as the desire to introduce newer ships and the challenges of creating new and detailed ship models for television.
The Constitution-class ships hold a special place in the Star Trek universe, representing the early days of deep-space exploration and laying the foundation for future starship designs. While they may not have appeared onscreen in TNG, their legacy continues to be celebrated by fans and reflected in the evolution of Starfleet vessel design.
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The USS New Jersey was preserved in the Fleet Museum
The USS New Jersey (BB-62) was indeed preserved in the Fleet Museum. The New Jersey is an Iowa-class battleship and was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after the state of New Jersey. It is also referred to as "Big J". The ship was decommissioned for the final time in 1991 after 21 years of active service. During its career, the New Jersey earned a Navy Unit Commendation for service in Vietnam and 19 battle and campaign stars for its participation in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Lebanese Civil War, and service in the Persian Gulf.
After its decommissioning, the New Jersey was donated to the Home Port Alliance in Camden, New Jersey, and has been a museum ship since 15 October 2001. The ship is now part of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, a non-profit museum that relies on donations and supporters. The museum offers a wealth of history and engaging activities for visitors of all ages. The New Jersey is among the largest battleships ever built and is a must-see attraction in the state of New Jersey.
In addition to its impressive size, the New Jersey has a long and distinguished history. It was launched on 7 December 1942, the first anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was commissioned on 23 May 1943. During World War II, the New Jersey played a crucial role in the Pacific theatre, shelling targets on Guam and Okinawa and providing support for aircraft carrier raids in the Marshall Islands. After the war, the New Jersey continued to serve actively, participating in the Korean War and later being reactivated for the Vietnam War.
The New Jersey underwent modernisation in the 1980s to carry missiles and was deployed as part of the Pacific Fleet, serving as the centerpiece of Battle Group Romeo. It cruised from Hawaii to Thailand in 1986, providing a significant naval presence in the region. The New Jersey also saw action in the Lebanon crisis of 1983-84 and was deployed to the Persian Gulf area in 1989-90.
The preservation of the USS New Jersey in the Fleet Museum ensures that its legacy is remembered and celebrated by future generations. The ship stands as a testament to its crew's service and dedication, as well as the technological advancements of its time.
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The Constitution-class was a Federation Starship-class, Class I heavy cruiser
During the mid-23rd century, at least twelve Constitution-class starships were commissioned by Starfleet. The construction of these starships took place at Earth's San Francisco Fleet Yards, California, and Luna's Tranquility Base. The Constitution-class featured the saucer section-engineering section-warp nacelle layout common to most Starfleet vessels.
The Constitution-class starships were ordered off the front lines to patrol other regions of space during the Federation-Klingon War. While warships and other parts of the fleet were diverted to the war, the Constitution-class ships were kept as a unit of last resort. This took a toll on their crews, and with resources being diverted to emergency fleet repairs, these ships were not prioritised for refitting.
By the 24th century, the original Constitution-class had been phased out, although a few remained as training vessels. One such example is the USS New Jersey, which was preserved in the Fleet Museum in its late 2260s configuration. The Constitution-class ships of the TNG era would likely have been museum ships, with most being scrapped, similar to modern naval vessels.
The absence of Constitution-class starships in TNG may be due to the fact that they were considered legacy ships. It was important not to confuse casual viewers by mixing the franchises and the original crew too much. Additionally, the design of the Constitution-class may not have been future-proof, with newer starship classes like the Excelsior-class replacing its role in the fleet.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are no Constitution-class starships in TNG. By the time of TNG, the design had been retired and replaced by newer starship classes.
There are a few possible reasons. Firstly, the Constitution-class ships were considered legacy ships, so including them in TNG might have made viewers think of the original crew. Additionally, the producers may have wanted to avoid mixing franchises, as the Constitution-class ships were featured in the movies being made during the TNG era. Finally, it may have simply come down to budget, as creating new models was expensive and time-consuming.
It is suggested that the USS Republic, a Constitution-class ship seen in TOS: Court Martial, was still in service as a training vessel in the TNG era. However, canonically, there is no evidence of any Constitution-class starships in service during the TNG era.
By the time TNG started, the Constitution-class ships were likely all museum ships or had been scrapped, as they had become too old to continue refitting.
