Science vessel

In starship classification, a science vessel (aka science ship or research vessel) was a limited-role starship.
It was not well armed, but instead carried several laboratories, advanced sensors, and in some cases, advanced deflector shields. (; ) Ships of this class were used for scientific research missions, such as observing the collapse of a star, mapping newly discovered planets and nebulae, or simply being an isolated location for hazardous experiments. (; ) Most science vessels were not designed for long term missions, and were often dispatched following discoveries made by non-science vessels. ()
In the 2260s of the alternate reality, information on Starfleet and non-Starfleet science vessels was located in the Federation database. ()
In early-2350, the Romulan science vessel Talvath, operating under the direction of the Dr. Telek R'Mor began an extended three-year scientific mission under the direction of the Romulan Astrophysical Academy. The following year, the Talvath encountered a micro-wormhole in Sector 1385 of the Alpha Quadrant. It was here that its crew discovered the , which was located in the Delta Quadrant, however, twenty-years in the future. ()
In 2364, after the had traveled over 2,700,000 light years from Federation space with the help of Kosinski and the Traveler, Captain Jean-Luc Picard suggested that they should return and that "Starfleet can use [Kosinski's] technique to bring back a pure science vessel to do even more." ()
In 2365, Captain Picard proposed requesting a Federation science vessel to their location in the Morgana Quadrant, to better study an unknown void discovered there by the , prior to its entrapment in the phenomenon. ()
When Rabal and Serova wished to draw the attention of Starfleet and the Federation of the plight warp drive was causing their homeworld in 2370, Jean-Luc Picard suggested that, rather than their seemingly unorthodox means of getting attention, they should have made a request through the Federation Science Council. Rabal argued that the Council's resources wre limited, and that "It would have taken over a year before they dispatched a science ship to come and evaluate our work." Data later suggested that they "ask the Federation Science Council to send a research vessel to this area. A more detailed investigation would resolve many of our questions." ()
Later that year, the picked up a request for emergency assistance from a Federation science ship in the Topin system. This was a ploy devised by Ro Laren aboard a Maquis raider, to lure the Enterprise in so that she could steal a supply of medkits. ()
In 2384, The Doctor identified the as a science vessel. Unlike most science vessels, Voyager was well-armed and more than capable of holding its own in combat. ()
== Science vessels by race ==
* Federation science vessel
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* Frunalian science vessel
* Monean research vessel
* Orion science vessel
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* Romulan science ship
* Voth research vessel
== Science vessels by designation ==
;Named
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* ()
* ()
* D'Var
* () (originally)
* ()
* ()
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* ()
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* T'Vran
* Talvath
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
;Unnamed
* Alien science vessel (22nd century)
* Emory's research ship
* Federation science vessels (24th century)
* Taylor's science vessel
* Vulcan science vessel (22nd century)
* Vulcan science vessel (24th century)
== Appendices ==
=== Background information ===
A line cut from an early draft of referred to a Vulcan science vessel, named the , which had requested permission to dock at Deep Space 9, and was granted to put in at Docking Bay Three.
=== External link ===
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de:Wissenschaftsschiff
ja:科学調査艦
nl:Wetenschappelijk schip
Category:Spacecraft classifications
Category:Spacecraft classifications (alternate reality)