Eratosthenes was an experimental shuttle designed for the new Prime Directive era of exploration. It used stealth technologies that protected it from infrared and radar detection, while also minimizing its thermal and electromagnetic emissions. A thin film applied to its skin allowed the shuttle to control the colors it reflects, offering a degree of camouflage without resorting to the full cloaking technologies. Not meant to be used for warfare, the Eratosthenes was designed for conducting reconnaissance missions over pre-warp civilizations, allowing it to gather more information than a standard probe while minimizing the risk of causing panic among observed populations.
Despite its stealth capabilities, the vessel was labeled with Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets, defying its purpose.
The vessel was named after Eratosthenes the ancient Greek scholar who first calculated Earth's circumference and axial tilt.
It crashed on Epheska during it's first mission. (SNW novel: The High Country)
