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USS Excelsior (Star Trek)
Encyclopedia
The USS Excelsior is a starship
in the Star Trek
universe
. The Excelsior was first seen in the 1984 film, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
. It later appeared in the 1986 film, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
. It featured more prominently in the 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
, when it was revealed to be under the command of Captain Hikaru Sulu
in 2293, with a percentage of his senior officers having served with him aboard NCC-1701, USS Enterprise
. It then appeared in "Flashback
", a 1996 episode of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager
, which revealed that during the events of Star Trek VI, then-Ensign Tuvok
was serving on the Excelsior, as one of the junior science officers.
The Excelsior was the class leader, or prototype, as all other ships of the same design are called Excelsior-class ships. Many Excelsior-class ships have been featured in various episodes of the Star Trek spinoff series, Star Trek: The Next Generation
and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
. The USS Enterprise-B, the third Federation Starfleet vessel to bear the name Enterprise, was an Excelsior-class ship, as established in the 1994 feature film Star Trek Generations.
, hence the name the "Great Experiment". One of these technologies, transwarp
drive, was seen as a possible revolution in starship
design, with the potential to open up the entire galaxy
to exploratory missions due to vastly increased speed. Sulu (who eventually becomes her Captain), marvels at the ship, however Montgomery Scott
dismisses it as a "bucket of bolts". The transwarp drive failed on Excelsior's first mission (the pursuit of the hijacked USS Enterprise) due to sabotage by Scott, who was very briefly appointed "Captain of Engineering" on the vessel, to his chagrin.
By the time she was seen much more extensively in Star Trek VI, the ship had been reclassified as NCC-2000, notably excluding the experimental transwarp drive of her prototype.
The Excelsior-class spaceframe proved to be remarkably durable, able to withstand considerable punishment both from the elements and enemy vessels alike (in Star Trek VI, Excelsior sustains a direct photon torpedo strike to the saucer section, only to have it absorbed by the shields). This accounts for the considerable number of vessels remaining in Starfleet
, even several decades later into the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation
and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
.
Notable appearances of Excelsior class are shown in DS9 episodes "Paradise Lost
" and "For the Uniform".
Several Excelsior class ships were also used in battles with The Dominion
A USS Excelsior is mentioned in the TNG episode Interface
, which searched for the USS Hera, commanded by the mother of Enterprise-D
chief engineer Geordi La Forge
. It is unknown if it is the same vessel as seen in the TOS-era films, and her class is not mentioned.
originally intended for the Excelsior to replace the Enterprise
after Star Trek III, possibly as a result of complaints by ILM
technicians that the Enterprises model was too unwieldy. The idea did not prove popular however, and the replacement Enterprise was another Constitution-class starship, the USS Enterprise-A. In Star Trek Generations, however, a new Enterprise, the NCC-1701-B, was featured, and this was an Excelsior-class refit vessel.
Two different bridge sets were seen for Excelsior. The first set is seen in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
when she departed Spacedock in pursuit of the USS Enterprise
, which had just been stolen by Admiral Kirk. In this film, only the parts of the bridge that would be seen on screen were actually constructed. For Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
a new and complete bridge set was built (actually a re-dress of the Enterprise-A bridge). This bridge had a large status panel directly behind the Captain's chair. It also had helm and navigation consoles similar in appearance to the conn and ops consoles on the bridge of a Galaxy-class starship.
published a series of comic book
stories said to take place between the events of Star Trek III and Star Trek IV. In this storyline (which, like all Trek comic book stories, is not canon
), Admiral James T. Kirk
is given temporary command of the Excelsior following the destruction of the Enterprise. In the comic book continuity, he loses this command just prior to the events of Star Trek IV.
In the video game Star Trek: Shattered Universe, the USS Excelsior travels to the mirror universe and back, under the command of Captain Sulu.
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
in the Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
universe
Universe
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
. The Excelsior was first seen in the 1984 film, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a 1984 motion picture released by Paramount Pictures. The film is the third feature based on the Star Trek science fiction franchise and is the center of a three-film story arc that begins with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and concludes with Star Trek IV:...
. It later appeared in the 1986 film, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a 1986 American science fiction film released by Paramount Pictures. It is the fourth feature film based on the Star Trek science fiction television series and completes the story arc begun in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and continued in Star Trek III: The...
. It featured more prominently in the 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is the sixth feature film in the Star Trek science fiction franchise and is the last of the Star Trek films to include the entire main cast of the 1960s Star Trek television series. Released in 1991 by Paramount Pictures, it was directed by Nicholas Meyer and...
, when it was revealed to be under the command of Captain Hikaru Sulu
Hikaru Sulu
Hikaru Sulu is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by George Takei in the original Star Trek series, Sulu also appears in the animated Star Trek series, the first six Star Trek movies, one episode of Star Trek: Voyager, and in numerous books, comics, and video games...
in 2293, with a percentage of his senior officers having served with him aboard NCC-1701, USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise may refer to the following vessels:-United States of America:In watercraft, the prefix "USS" or "U.S.S." is applied to ships commissioned by and for the United States Navy. Private citizens also use the name unofficially...
. It then appeared in "Flashback
Flashback (Voyager episode)
"Flashback" is the name of the 44th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the second episode of the third season.It is noteworthy for featuring characters of the Original Series of the late 1960s, most noticeably Hikaru Sulu and Janice Rand . Both characters appear by means of a flashback by Tuvok...
", a 1996 episode of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
, which revealed that during the events of Star Trek VI, then-Ensign Tuvok
Tuvok
Tuvok is one of the main characters on the television series Star Trek: Voyager. Tuvok is a Vulcan who serves as the ship's chief of security and its chief tactical officer. Tim Russ portrayed Tuvok throughout the show's run, from 1995 to 2001....
was serving on the Excelsior, as one of the junior science officers.
The Excelsior was the class leader, or prototype, as all other ships of the same design are called Excelsior-class ships. Many Excelsior-class ships have been featured in various episodes of the Star Trek spinoff series, Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
. The USS Enterprise-B, the third Federation Starfleet vessel to bear the name Enterprise, was an Excelsior-class ship, as established in the 1994 feature film Star Trek Generations.
History
The USS Excelsior (NX-2000) was the first starship of her class and commissioned as a testbed for new technologies by Starfleet CommandStarfleet Command
Starfleet Command may refer to:*Starfleet Command, headquarters/command center of Starfleet in Star Trek.*Star Trek: Starfleet Command, a space battle simulation game set in the Star Trek universe....
, hence the name the "Great Experiment". One of these technologies, transwarp
Warp drive (Star Trek)
Warp drive is a faster-than-light propulsion system in the setting of many science fiction works, most notably Star Trek. A spacecraft equipped with a warp drive may travel at velocities greater than that of light by many orders of magnitude, while circumventing the relativistic problem of time...
drive, was seen as a possible revolution in starship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
design, with the potential to open up the entire galaxy
Galaxy
A galaxy is a massive, gravitationally bound system that consists of stars and stellar remnants, an interstellar medium of gas and dust, and an important but poorly understood component tentatively dubbed dark matter. The word galaxy is derived from the Greek galaxias , literally "milky", a...
to exploratory missions due to vastly increased speed. Sulu (who eventually becomes her Captain), marvels at the ship, however Montgomery Scott
Montgomery Scott
Montgomery "Scotty" Scott is a Scottish engineer in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by James Doohan in the original Star Trek series, Scotty also appears in the animated Star Trek series, seven Star Trek movies, the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Relics", and in numerous...
dismisses it as a "bucket of bolts". The transwarp drive failed on Excelsior's first mission (the pursuit of the hijacked USS Enterprise) due to sabotage by Scott, who was very briefly appointed "Captain of Engineering" on the vessel, to his chagrin.
By the time she was seen much more extensively in Star Trek VI, the ship had been reclassified as NCC-2000, notably excluding the experimental transwarp drive of her prototype.
The Excelsior-class spaceframe proved to be remarkably durable, able to withstand considerable punishment both from the elements and enemy vessels alike (in Star Trek VI, Excelsior sustains a direct photon torpedo strike to the saucer section, only to have it absorbed by the shields). This accounts for the considerable number of vessels remaining in Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
, even several decades later into the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
.
Notable appearances of Excelsior class are shown in DS9 episodes "Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost (DS9 episode)
"Paradise Lost" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the twelfth episode of the fourth season. It is rated 4.1/5 on the official Star Trek Website.-Plot:...
" and "For the Uniform".
Several Excelsior class ships were also used in battles with The Dominion
Dominion (Star Trek)
In the Star Trek universe, the Dominion is a ruthless and militaristic Gamma Quadrant state consisting of many different races. The Dominion wages war on the United Federation of Planets and its allies in the late 24th century, acting as an antagonist in the TV show Star Trek: Deep Space...
A USS Excelsior is mentioned in the TNG episode Interface
Interface (TNG episode)
"Interface" is the 155th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Plot:At the beginning of the episode, Geordi La Forge, Commander Data, and Beverly Crusher are testing an interface which allows La Forge to use the VISOR-compatible circuitry in his brain,...
, which searched for the USS Hera, commanded by the mother of Enterprise-D
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
chief engineer Geordi La Forge
Geordi La Forge
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge is a regular character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its feature films, played by LeVar Burton...
. It is unknown if it is the same vessel as seen in the TOS-era films, and her class is not mentioned.
Production
Producer Harve BennettHarve Bennett
Harve Bennett is an American television and film producer and screenwriter.-Early years:...
originally intended for the Excelsior to replace the Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)
The USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, is a fictional starship in the Star Trek media franchise. The original Star Trek series depicts her crew's mission "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before" under the command of Captain James...
after Star Trek III, possibly as a result of complaints by ILM
Industrial Light and Magic
Industrial Light & Magic is an Academy Award-winning motion picture visual effects company that was founded in May 1975 by George Lucas and is owned by Lucasfilm. Lucas created the company when he discovered that the special effects department at 20th Century Fox was shut down after he was given...
technicians that the Enterprises model was too unwieldy. The idea did not prove popular however, and the replacement Enterprise was another Constitution-class starship, the USS Enterprise-A. In Star Trek Generations, however, a new Enterprise, the NCC-1701-B, was featured, and this was an Excelsior-class refit vessel.
Two different bridge sets were seen for Excelsior. The first set is seen in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a 1984 motion picture released by Paramount Pictures. The film is the third feature based on the Star Trek science fiction franchise and is the center of a three-film story arc that begins with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and concludes with Star Trek IV:...
when she departed Spacedock in pursuit of the USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)
The USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, is a fictional starship in the Star Trek media franchise. The original Star Trek series depicts her crew's mission "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before" under the command of Captain James...
, which had just been stolen by Admiral Kirk. In this film, only the parts of the bridge that would be seen on screen were actually constructed. For Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is the sixth feature film in the Star Trek science fiction franchise and is the last of the Star Trek films to include the entire main cast of the 1960s Star Trek television series. Released in 1991 by Paramount Pictures, it was directed by Nicholas Meyer and...
a new and complete bridge set was built (actually a re-dress of the Enterprise-A bridge). This bridge had a large status panel directly behind the Captain's chair. It also had helm and navigation consoles similar in appearance to the conn and ops consoles on the bridge of a Galaxy-class starship.
Other appearances
In the 1980s, DC ComicsDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
published a series of comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
stories said to take place between the events of Star Trek III and Star Trek IV. In this storyline (which, like all Trek comic book stories, is not canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
), Admiral James T. Kirk
James T. Kirk
James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies...
is given temporary command of the Excelsior following the destruction of the Enterprise. In the comic book continuity, he loses this command just prior to the events of Star Trek IV.
In the video game Star Trek: Shattered Universe, the USS Excelsior travels to the mirror universe and back, under the command of Captain Sulu.