USS Grissom (NCC-42857)

The USS Grissom (NCC-42857) was an Excelsior class Federation starship serving in the 24th century. It was named for Gus Grissom, an American astronaut killed during an accidental spacecraft fire in 1967.

Command of the Grissom was given to Captain Norman Kenyon after he lost his wife aboard the USS Harriman (CT novel: Once Burned).

In 2368, Paullina Simmons, the first officer of the Grissom, was offered her own command. Captain Kenyon eventually decided on taking in Commander Mackenzie Calhoun as his first officer, not only due to an outstanding recommendation from Edward Jellico, but also because he felt he was too loved by the crew and needed an officer who was willing to question his decisions (CT novel: Once Burned).

Soon thereafter, Grissom was sent on a diplomatic mission to Anzibar which ended in tragedy when two Federation diplomats, Byron Kenyon and Stephanie Kenyon were killed by the Dufaux leader Kradius. The loss of his family drove Captain Kenyon insane, leading him to violate the prime directive in order to swear vengeance. Kenyon eventually committed suicide while Calhoun resigned from starfleet for failing to protect Captain Kenyon (CT novel: Once Burned).

The Grissom was eventually destroyed in 2375 as a result of the Dominion War. Only six crew members survived, one of them being longtime Science Officer Lieutenant Chu'lak (DS9 episode: "Field of Fire").