(My Constellation 3D model. More Here)

Constellation Class: 2267 - Still in Service

The Constellation Class was another 'great experiment', like the Excelsior Class, but not quite on the same scale. Many were built by Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems, and the prototype was the first to sport a new four nacelle design, encompassing multi-tiered warp fields, slightly improving velocity, with higher fuel economy allowing longer range deployments with enhanced efficiency. When transwarp experiments were halted, and all propulsion development resources were channelled towards traditional warp technology, warp core structuring was greatly advanced, and more efficient, higher performance systems were introduced, allowing starship cruising speeds to easily exceed Warp 7 (on the contemporary scale) for the first time. Once these more advanced warp engine designs were employed on the more modern Starship classes early in the 24th century, it caused the prolonged use of the 4 nacelle high warp configuration to be dropped, (until speculatively reintroduced with the experimental Prometheus Class). The last of the extensive list of Constellation vessels, the USS Wanderer, was commissioned in 2294, ending nearly thirty years of staggered production orders. Several of this class still remain today, mainly serving as training vessels, as those in service are largely obsolete.

Footnote *

- We have a rough idea of the age of this class due to the Zakdorn strategist Sirna Kolrami referring to the derelict USS Hathaway as being 80 years old, in the TNG episode 'Peak Performance', set in around 2365. But the known registries of this class seem to be all over the place, ranging from 1***, up to 9***, so it's possible these were constructed at various intervals over a number of years. 

- The USS Gihlan is mentioned in an article by Rick Sternbach from Star Trek: The Magazine, but doesn;t have absolute canon status.

- Picard's Constellation desk model has the registry NCC 7100, but no name is given. One presumes it portrays an actual ship that existed, but the above name of USS Battler is entirely invented.

- Although it's listed as a Medium Cruiser, in the 24th century, with scale going ever up, it would probably be regarded as a Light Cruiser.

KEY

*A ship would visit drydock for many reasons, including refits, repairs, servicing upgrades, preliminary trials and testing of new components, and spacedock for similar reasons, as well as crew rotation, reassignment, prep period before redeployment, and so forth.

The listed specifications for ship classes are partly hypothetical, but some data such as ship lengths, weapon stats and crew complements are in some cases canon. For an explanation on the specs, and what the Ship designations mean, see Spec Definitions.

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