The Oberth-class was a type of Federation starship in service in the 23rd and 24th centuries. It was used by both Starfleet and civilian institutions, mainly in the role of a surveyor or science vessel.
The class was named after 20th century German rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth. (TOS video game: Starfleet Academy Starship Bridge Simulator)
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History and specifications[edit | edit source]
The Oberth-class was introduced as early as 2250 [1] and became one of the primary instruments of Starfleet's exploration program [7].
- Star Trek: Starship Spotter gives a commission date of 2290.
The design was successful enough to spawn at least three sub-classes: the Clarke-class and the slightly larger Gagarin-class in the 23rd century [8]; and the larger still Sagan-class in the 24th century [9].
Notable missions of the class and its sub-classes include the USS Chaffee's first contact with the Bzzit Khaht in 2274[10]; USS Grissom's assignment to the Genesis Planet in 2285[11]; deep-space exploration by the USS Oberth in 2293[12]; the first exploration of the interior of the Badlands by the USS Yosemite in 2336 [13]; and the USS Armstrong's Gamma Quadrant survey mission in 2369[14].
As well as ongoing scientific research and exploration, the Oberth-class served other mission profiles. One ship, the USS Trosper, found service with the Starfleet Corps of Engineers [15], and another, the USS Pegasus, was used as a testbed vessel for various technologies including an illegal Federation cloaking device [16]. The class also served in tactical support roles such as the USS Bonestell recording tactical data during the Battle of Wolf 359 in 2367[17], and then in 2373 three Oberth-class starships fought the Borg during the Battle of Sector 001[18]. Other ships were utilised as couriers or transports[19].
The Oberth-class's status as an explorer came to an end with the introduction of the Galaxy-class starship in the 2360s[7], and the class itself was succeeded by the Nova-class later in the same decade[20].
Specifications[edit | edit source]
The Oberth-class had 13 decks, which included six levels within the pylons. The secondary hull housed the warp core, and a small shuttlebay was located in the aft section. (TNG episode: "Hero Worship")
The crew compliment ranged from five to 80. (TNG episodes: "Realm of Fear", "The Naked Now")
For defensive and tactical situations, the class was equipped with deflector shields, phaser arrays and a probe/photon torpedo launcher. (TOS movie: The Search for Spock; TNG movie: Star Trek: First Contact; WizKids module: Tactics)
By the year 2409, a refit had mounted at least four phaser arrays and nine escape pods on the primary hull. (STO mission: "Welcome to Earth Spacedock")
Images[edit | edit source]
.jpg "USS Oberth (NCC-602).jpg (135 KB)")
Known vessels[edit | edit source]
Appendices[edit | edit source]
Connections[edit | edit source]
Background[edit | edit source]
Apocrypha[edit | edit source]
- The Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 4: Starships of The Original Series Era book published by Last Unicorn Games after they had lost their Star Trek licence listed two other Oberth-class starships: USS Lowell (NCC-664) and USS Ve'hal (NCC-681).
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 TOS video game: Starfleet Academy.
- ↑ Decipher RPG module: Starfleet Operations Manual.
- ↑ The Official Starships Collection Issue 36: "Oberth class".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Decipher RPG module: Narrator's Guide.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Last Unicorn RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Core Game Book.
- ↑ Star Trek Adventures module: Operations Division supplement.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 TNG reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual.
- ↑ FASA RPG module: Starship Tactical Combat Simulator.
- ↑ FASA RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Officer's Manual.
- ↑ FASA RPG module: Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update.
- ↑ TOS movie: Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.
- ↑ TOS movie: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
- ↑ TNG novella: The Badlands, Part II.
- ↑ DS9 comic: "Stowaway".
- ↑ SCE eBook: Progress.
- ↑ TNG episode: "The Pegasus".
- ↑ Decipher RPG module: Narrator's Guide.
- ↑ TNG movie: Star Trek: First Contact.
- ↑ TNG episodes: "The Drumhead", "The Game".
- ↑ ST reference: Star Trek: Starship Spotter.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Oberth class article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Oberth class article at Star Trek Expanded Universe, the fanon Star Trek wiki.
