Command console Senior Starfleet bridge officers used specialized command consoles to access and control many functions of the ship ' s critical computer systems . These consoles were designed in several different formats specific to each ship ' s bridge layout , but all were located near , and sometimes attached to , the command chair . 22nd Century . " NX " - class starships . On starships of the United Earth Starfleet , the bridge command console was built into the centrally - located command chair . The original chair ' s armrests had both physical buttons and a flip - up digital control panel ; the controls provided access to multiple ship functions , including the shipboard intercom , docking arm control , and the torpedo firing system . ( ) A replacement chair was included in a fleetwide upgrade in 2154 , which had two banks of lighted buttons instead of the original touch panel . ( ) 23rd Century . " Constitution " - class starships . Like the starships of the previous century , starships had a set of command consoles built directly into the command chair . In the 2250s and 2260s , the consoles had a built - in companel , several buttons and toggle switches , and a gooseneck - style viewer to the right . ( ) The gooseneck viewer was eliminated by 2266 , but the other console controls remained . ( ) After the refit of the 2270s , the dual command consoles were replaced by smaller , adjustable panels which could be moved over the commanding officer ' s lap for stability during turbulence . ( ) The consoles were removed entirely by 2287 . ( ) Alternate reality . Despite many aesthetic and design differences found in the alternate reality , vessels had command consoles built into the bridge command chairs , much like their prime reality counterparts of the same timeframe . ( ) 24th Century . " Galaxy " - class starships . On most bridges , two command station , each flanking the command chair , had access to specialized consoles to access sensor data and to monitor starship operations . These freestanding consoles , designed with rotating display screens , were generally used by the ship ' s first officer , ship ' s counselor , or other senior officer occupying one of the stations . ( ) The main command chair had two built - in consoles , which were programmed in a variety of functions , including a system to record entries to the ship ' s log , library computer access and retrieval , viewscreen control , intercoms , backup conn and ops panels , plus armament and shield controls . ( ) Originally designed as flip - up consoles which could be hidden when unused , the chair was redesigned in 2365 to integrate the consoles directly into the armrests . ( ) " Defiant " - class starships . Unlike previous starship designs , command officers on bridges used two freestanding command consoles which flanked the central command chair . These consoles varied in design throughout the 2370s . These consoles were used for many functions , including accessing sensor data and shipboard communications . ( ) In emergency situations , the consoles also controlled access to the ship ' s auto - destruct system . When needed , two command - level officers placed their palm on a hand scanner - built into the console - to verify their identities . ( ) The initial console design , which was in use at the time of the ' s launch in 2370 , consisted of two large , box - shaped consoles mounted on top of a complex structure which surrounded the command chair on three sides . ( ) . These consoles , along with the support structure , was removed and replaced by two smaller , ergonomically - shaped consoles on individual supports in the early part of 2371 . This new console design became standard fleetwide . ( ) By late 2375 , new " Defiant - class " ships launched with a revised console design , which consisted of two tiered consoles on each side of the command chair . ( ) " Intrepid " - class starships . On bridges , there was only one large command console , located between the command chair and first officer ' s station . Accessible to both officers when active , this console had the ability to retract when unused . ( ) This console allowed command officers to access and control many of the bridge functions , including flight control , shipboard operations , and the ship ' s library computer . ( ) This console also had a viewer , enabling the Captain to have a live conversation with any crewmember . ( ) " Sovereign " - class starships . bridges had console designs similar to the preceding " Galaxy " - class bridges , providing armrest controls on the central command chair and freestanding access consoles to the two senior officer stations . ( ) These consoles , usually operated by the first officer and other senior - level staff , provided access to sensor data , inter - ship communications , and information regarding shipboard operations . ( ) While these stations were removed from " Sovereign " - class bridges by 2375 , ( ) they were restored to their original location by 2379 , featuring minor upgrades including the addition of handrails for crew use during turbulent situations . ( ) Like the command chair on " Galaxy " - class bridges , the " Sovereign " - class command chair ( registered as Station 01 - 001 ) also included integrated consoles to give commanding officers access to many bridge functions , including communications systems like intercoms and text - based intraship messages . ( )