Constitution III Class

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The Constitution III-class light explorer is an advanced starship that carries the design lineage of the Constitution into the 25th century. With fewer experimental systems than the Sagan, the Constitution III is the ultimate evolution of the Constitution-class design aesthetic and is a solid, proven design to support Starfleet’s core missions.

Science and Exploration

Designated as a light explorer, the Constitution III is capable of sustained, independent exploratory missions beyond Federation space. The intent has been that they will undertake 5-year missions just like their Constitution-class predecessors, but this has not been attempted in reality, due to the ever-shifting political situation of the Alpha and Beta quadrants.

While they have good long-range sensors, the Constitution III has truly excellent mid-range and short range sensors, as she is designed to explore star systems in depth. Because of this, her impulse engines are the most powerful proportionally to her size of any ship in the fleet, which allows her to easily navigate asteroid fields and other hazards. Constitution III-class vessels have extensive science labs, with both mission configurable and specialist labs available.

Diplomacy

Constitution III-class starships are well-equipped for first contact and other diplomatic missions. While not as luxurious as larger explorers, they have guest quarters and a diplomatic conference area separate from the conference room attached to the main bridge. Their high top speed also makes them adept at responding to diplomatic situations quickly. Where the Constitution III is less capable is multi-party talks requiring a large amount of onboard accommodations, and an Obena or Odyssey would be preferred in this situation.

Engineering

With a circular primary hull and cylindrical secondary hull, the Constitution III-class continues the same rough planform created for the original Constitution in the 23rd century. Two large nacelles are fed from a single warp core, which runs the height of the secondary hull. Warp speed is enhanced by two warp governors on the underside of the saucer section, which are interconnected through the ship’s four advanced impulse engines. This class is nimble at both warp and impulse speeds. Fewer onboard systems are experimental than on the Sagan, in an effort to improve the ship’s overall reliability, but her high top speed means that the engines themselves must be looked after closely.

Small craft facilities aboard the Constitution III are located in both the primary and secondary hulls. Shuttlebays 1 and 2 have doors on the dorsal surface of the primary hull behind the bridge which connect to engineering workshops and cargo storage areas, making them ideal for launching repair missions using workbees. These bays also store runabouts. Shuttlebay 3 on the stern is most often used for standard shuttle operations.

Tactical

Though built to defend themselves, Constitution III-class starships are designated light explorers rather than explorers because of their relatively modest arsenals. They are not intended for tactical missions, and are generally instructed to retreat where possible. Four type-XIV phaser arrays on the saucer section are complemented by six dual phaser banks, containing rapid-fire Type-XII phaser turrets for warding off attacks from small vessels. Torpedo coverage is provided by two forward and one aft burst-fire torpedo launcher, of the same type developed for the Galaxy-class explorer. A Constitution III-class relies on its powerful impulse engines to manuever its phaser and torpedo emplacements to bear for concentrated salvos before evading any response.

Shipboard Life

Carrying on the distinguished legacy of the Constitution class, the Constitution III is a sought-after posting because of this history. They perform the types of missions that many people dream about when they enter Starfleet: going boldly into the unknown. It is known, however, that these ships are also a return towards 23rd century-sized crew quarters. While almost everyone has their own quarters, they are not the multi-room apartments found aboard ships of previous eras, and few of them have windows. Like other ships built at the end of the 24th century, communal recreation facilities allow more space to be devoted to mission equipment in a smaller form factor. This is still a comfortable assignment, but one quickly as to become accustom to trading massive amounts of private space for the opportunity to go to the edge of known space. Medical facilities are well equipped, with secondary medical wards complementing the main sickbay.

Many of the ships of this class carry on established names, often with two or even three vessels who have also borne those names. Some of these ships have even been built to incorporate hull sections and systems from these older ships. This leads their crews to feel as though their ship is the original, and they have great pride in that fact. As such, they are also extremely sought-after by captains, even though they are neither the largest nor most powerful ships in service.

Constitution III Class History

While a revamp of the Constitution had been long-discussed amongst certain circles at Starfleet Command, the dominant school of starship design up until 2385 was the Utopia Planitia School, which had tended towards larger, more organic designs. The reemergence of the San Francisco School following Utopia Planitia’s destruction led towards a turn in starship design back towards clean lines, fewer windows, and 23rd century silhouettes. Combining design aspects of both the Shangri La and Constitution II-class heavy cruisers, the Constitution III was designed to be twice the size of the original Constitution.

Similar in size and crew complement to the new Sagan-class light explorer, Starfleet wanted a more traditional alternative to the highly-experimental Sagan. The Constitution III has been designed to be less maintenance intensive, and is also slightly faster, though it has less endurance at its top speed and smaller embarked craft facilities.

Several vessels of the older classes were upcycled into Consittution III-class vessels starting in 2397. The Constitution herself left drydock in 2400, followed by a number of her stablemates that year. The third USS Titan was launched in 2401, having been built with components salvaged from the Luna-class iteration of that ship.

Constitution III In-Play

  • Though the Constitution III resembles a 23rd-century design, it is actually a 25th-century design that’s much larger. These are modern ships, with a retro appearance.
  • Compared to other light explorers, the Constitution III is less suited for combat, but slightly faster and more of a proven design than the Sagan. Their lack of teeth comes both from a visual inspection of the model and on-screen dialogue where Captain Shaw emphatically says that the Titan-A is not meant for combat and is an explorer.
  • Most of these ships come with an important name from Star Trek lore.