Oberth class starship

In the Star Trek fictional universe, the Oberth class is a variety of starship used by Starfleet. Oberth class ships are intended to be used as vessels of scientific research or as transports. The Oberth class is possibly the most long-lived class in Starfleet, known to be in active service from the early-23rd century through the 2370s, when it was replaced with the new Nova class starship.

Related Topics:
Star Trek - Fictional universe - Starship - Starfleet - Scientific - 23rd century - Nova class starship

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The Oberth class starship follows a unique approach to Federation starship design with a primary hull composed of a platform supporting a small saucer at its forefront and two warp nacelles at its sides. The main bridge, impulse engine and crew quarters are contained in the saucer section; several unknown box-shaped openings in the saucer could be shuttlebays. The secondary hull is a narrower, longer structure shaped like a boat hull. The two hulls are connected by two pylons at the sides.

Related Topics:
Federation - Saucer - Warp - Nacelles

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The contents of the secondary hull and the reasons for the division of the ship are unclear. One plausible theory is that the lower hull is a large sensor platform, separated from the ship to decrease interference caused by particles or energy from a source there. A second is that it is an engineering section (in some theories an entirely automated one) separated to decrease the danger of carrying antideuterium fuel. A third is that it is only for storage of cargo and/or antimatter and the engineering facilities are instead in the primary hull; this is similar to the second explanation in that it keeps the crew farther from the dangerous antimatter but also allows for the warp core in the upper hull to run on any small stores of antideuterium there in the event of a separation.

Related Topics:
Particle - Energy - Automated - Anti - Deuterium

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In real life, the Oberth class was designed by ILM for '.

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