USS Challenger (NCC-71099)

The USS Challenger (NCC-71099) was a Federation explorer in service to Starfleet in the late 24th century. She was commissioned in 2370. Her commanding officer was Captain Simm.

Service history
After the destruction of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) in 2371, the Challenger returned from a mission in the Gamma Quadrant to pick up her new first officer, Commander William T. Riker. Commander Riker invoked the official secrets regulation of stardate 7500, took command of the Challenger, and brought Doctor Julian Bashir, Commander Deanna Troi, and Captain James T. Kirk onboard.

He ordered the ship from Deep Space 9 to Starbase 804, where Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Doctor Beverly Crusher, and Ambassador Spock were recovered. The Challenger engaged the Romulan warbird IRW Avatar of Tomed, acting as a decoy so that the USS Monitor (Defiant class) (I) could defeat it. The Avatar took heavy damage, but was able to escape using its Borg transwarp drive. Commander Riker's stay on the Challenger was short-lived: within a year he transferred to the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E). 

In 2377, the Challenger was part of a fleet which destroyed Borg Sphere 634. 

As of 2382 the Challenger had been assigned to the Starfleet Corps of Engineers and had become a personal project of Captain Montgomery Scott. In that year it was assigned to investigate the mystery of the Intrepid. 

Alternate timeline
In an alternate timeline of 2390, the Challenger was commanded by Captain Geordi La Forge. Former USS Voyager crew members Chakotay and Harry Kim successfully restored the timeline despite the Challenger's orders to take them into custody. 

STO Timeline
In the early 25th century, the Challenger was given to Captain Geordi La Forge. 

USS Challenger personnel

 * Commanding Officer:
 * Captain Simms (2370 - )
 * Captain Montgomery Scott (2382)
 * Captain Geordi La Forge (2385 - )
 * First Officer
 * Commander Tyler Hunt (2382 - )
 * Second Officer
 * Commander Geordi La Forge (2382)
 * Science Officer
 * Chief engineer
 * Lieutenant commander Voloczin (2382 - )
 * Chief medical officer
 * Lieutenant Alyssa Ogawa (2382 - )
 * Security/Tactical officer
 * Lieutenant commander Nog (2382 - )
 * Helmsman
 * Qat'qa (2382 - )
 * Counselor
 * Miscellaneous:
 * Leah Brahms (2382 - )
 * Transporter Chief Carolan (2382 - )
 * Guinan (2382 - )
 * Berlinghoff Rasmussen (2382)