The USS Enterprise-D is a Galaxy‐class starship that served as Starfleet’s flagship during the years of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Launched in the mid‐24th century, the ship plays a central role in many of the shows’ missions and conflicts. This guide details the ship’s design, its history, the men who led her, and the key fights she took part in.
Ship Specifications
The Enterprise-D is a Galaxy-class starship with the registry NCC-1701-D. The ship measures about 642.5 meters in length and spans 42 decks. It carries a crew of roughly 1,000 and can host up to 600 passengers. In addition, the starship has seven shuttlecraft used for away missions.
The ship is powered by a warp core that can push her to speeds of up to warp 9.6. She is armed with a complement of phaser arrays and photon torpedoes. The ship’s design includes a saucer section for civilian passengers and a stardrive section for faster-than-light travel. The engineering section is built to manage the high-energy output of the warp core and support long voyages.
Notable History and Missions
Commissioned in the early 2360s, the Enterprise-D served as the face of Starfleet for nearly a decade. The ship took part in many missions that spanned both peaceful and warlike tasks across the Alpha Quadrant.
In 2364, the ship set sail on its first long-range mission under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Early on, the ship handled exploration, first contact, and aid to troubled worlds.
In 2366, the Enterprise-D faced a foe known as the Borg. In the two-part story “The Best of Both Worlds,” the Borg cube attacked the ship and caused severe damage. The crew fought hard to protect the ship and to stall the Borg advance, an act that set the tone for future encounters with this foe.
In 2367, during the events of “Chain of Command, Part II,” Captain Picard temporarily handed over command to Captain Edward Jellico. This change in helm came as a result of a high-stakes mission that tested the crew’s resolve and unity.
The ship also played a key role in the series finale “All Good Things…” where Captain Picard and his crew faced a threat that spanned time. These missions are set against the backdrop of a time when the ship worked as the main seat of Starfleet power.
In 2371, the Enterprise-D met its end in the film “Star Trek: Generations.” The ship entered a strange energy ribbon known as the Nexus. The ship’s fate marked the close of one era in Starfleet history and paved the way for the next starship in command, the Enterprise-E.
Captains and Key Officers
Captain Jean-Luc Picard led the Enterprise-D for the bulk of its service. He is known for his calm, measured approach and for his skill in both diplomacy and fight. His command shaped the ship’s long years of service.
First Officer William Riker served as Picard’s trusted aide. His role in the chain of command and his on-field decisions helped steer the ship through many risky turns.
For a short while, during the “Chain of Command” episodes, Captain Edward Jellico took the helm. His strict style contrasted with Picard’s own, and his command was marked by a firm hand in the midst of a deep crisis.
Other members of the ship’s crew include Lieutenant Worf, who stood as the ship’s security chief; Data, the sentient android whose skill in tactics and computing proved vital; Geordi La Forge, the chief engineer who kept the warp core and systems running; and Wesley Crusher, a young man whose bright mind often aided the ship in times of need.
Notable Fights and Missions
The Enterprise-D faced many foes and trials. In 2366, the Borg threat marked one of the darkest days in the ship’s history. In the two-part “The Best of Both Worlds,” the Borg cube struck hard, damaging the ship and forcing the crew to make grave choices. The fight with the Borg stands as a turning point for the crew and for Starfleet at large.
During the 2360s, the ship undertook missions that brought her face to face with the Romulans and Klingons. Diplomatic tasks often led to tense talks that sometimes broke into skirmishes. The ship’s crew learned much from these battles, both in the field and in the council halls of Starfleet Command.
In 2367, under Captain Jellico, the Enterprise-D saw a test of discipline and grit. The crew worked to overcome internal strains and the weight of a high-stake task that pushed every officer to the brink.
The final test came in “All Good Things…” where the ship’s crew confronted a threat that spanned three time periods. The crisis showed the strength and wit of Picard and his team as they fought to set right the path of time itself.
Impact and Legacy
The Enterprise-D left a deep mark on Star Trek lore. Serving from the early 2360s until its end in 2371, the ship was the stage for countless missions that shaped Starfleet’s path. Its design, with a saucer and stardrive section, set the standard for future ships. Its battles with the Borg and other foes remain a key part of the Star Trek mythos.
Captain Picard’s steady hand and the teamwork of his officers turned the Enterprise-D into a symbol of hope and duty in the face of great danger. The ship’s end in “Star Trek: Generations” stands as a pivotal moment in the lore, marking the close of one chapter and the start of a new one for Starfleet.
The facts and dates of the Enterprise-D’s service remind us of the ship’s role in a time of change and challenge. From her commissioning in the early 2360s to the fight with the Borg in 2366 and her final fate in 2371, the ship’s history remains a key part of Star Trek’s enduring tale.