Galaxy class

The ***Galaxy* class** was a type of Federation starship that entered service in the mid-24th century, and remained active into the 25th century. In a variety of configurations, they were classed as explorers, command cruisers, or battleships. (*Star Trek: The Next Generation*)

The prototype of the class, the USS *Galaxy* was commissioned in 2357, and underwent extensive testing for several years after launch. She was joined by her sister ships the USS *Enterprise* and USS *Yamato* in 2363, with the USS *Challenger*, USS *Odyssey* and the USS *Venture* following soon after. Due to a variety of concerns over the design, further construction was put on hold, and the initial order of twelve ships was cut off at six. (*Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual*)

After the Battle of Wolf 359 in 2367, during which one *Galaxy* class vessel was destroyed, further ships were ordered as part of the effort to quickly bring Starfleet back up to strength should they face another Borg incursion or similar emergency. (*Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual*)

In 2370, the USS *Magellan* was commissioned, replacing the previous *Constellation*-class vessel of the same name. (TNG: "Starship Mine"; DS9: "Sacrifice of Angels")

Late that same year, the *Odyssey* was destroyed by a Jem'Hadar fighter during a confrontation with the Dominion, and production was ramped up. (DS9: "The Jem'Hadar")

In an effort to get more ships into service, many of the existing unfinished *Galaxy*-class spaceframes were outfitted with additional weapons and minimal crew accommodations to decrease their construction time, leaving the yards with nearly 65 percent of their internal volume empty. (*Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual*)

Existing ships like the *Venture* were also upgraded with new weaponry, including nacelle-mounted phaser arrays. The *Venture* helped defend Deep Space 9 from a Klingon attack in early 2372; she and other *Galaxy*-class vessels were subsequently involved in many major engagements during the Dominion War. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior", "Sacrifice of Angels", "Tears of the Prophets", "The Changing Face of Evil", "What You Leave Behind")

Losses sustained during the Dominion War and the need for larger capital ships led to the development of the *Olympus* class dreadnought, based on the *Galaxy* design. The first of these vessels, however, was not ready until after the war's end in 2375. (*Star Trek: Hidden Frontier*; *Star Trek: Pendragon*)

Further subclasses entered production, with the *Ross* class in the 2380s, and later the *Venture* class, *Andromeda* class and *Yamato* class variants. Production of standard *Galaxy*-class spaceframes ended circa 2385, though the more advanced sub-classes continued into the coming decades and currently active ships remained in service for many years. (*Star Trek Online*; *Clear Skies*; *Star Trek: Pendragon*)

## External links

* Galaxy class article at ***Memory Alpha***, the canon *Star Trek* wiki.
* Galaxy class article at ***Memory Beta***, the non-canon *Star Trek* wiki.
* Galaxy class article at ***Star Trek Expanded Universe***, the fanon and fanworks *Star Trek* wiki.
* Galaxy class article at the official ***Star Trek Online*** wiki