My own Oberth model, more here

Oberth Class: 2189 - Still in Service

Small, versatile, fairly low maintenance long-range science vessels. Sporadic construction of this class lasted until 2348, and 43 still remain in service, most of which were originally Starfleet registered, others being reserved for private/scientific charter. This is common amongst the scientific vessels, particularly the smaller ones. The remainder are reserved for special ops, and chartered missions. In a way, the Oberth Class was a common, production line model, made in bulk, and many races and groups were permitted to use this design, though only under the Federation 'banner'. One could presume this arrangement was common with other minor vessels, such as Sydney, Surak, and Antares Classes, amongst others.

Whilst being a fairly versatile design, featuring full saucer separation capability, Starfleet have often used these as guinea pigs for prototype technologies and experiments. The general success of this small starship is demonstrated by how incredibly long it has been in service, albeit as several different variants since the initial 22nd century prototype. In the 24th century the failed, and controversial USS Pegasus (which remains classified), was an Oberth Class vessel, and is highlighted below. As the Oberths were primarily science vessels, many were named as tributes, or after significant scientific persons, achievements, or moments in history. A few are mentioned below...

Newer Phase Vessels

Examples Of Non-Registered Ships

Footnotes*

-Again there is a significant registry conflict here, for the NCC 6** would probably pre-date Constitution Class if the sequential registries law was adhered to. There is obvious doubt whether Oberth Class hails from the late 23rd Century, or as far back as the 22nd. One cannot tell or guess to be certain. For the sake of argument I've assigned it to derive from the 22nd century, as its registry suggests. (See Here for more.....)

-The Encyclopedia lists the USS Biko as being an Olympic Class ship. But the thing that was overlooked was that the Biko did appear in 'A Fistful of Datas', and it was an Oberth Class ship... So it's listed here.

-The USS Columbia (a tip of the hat to the NASA Space Shuttle) was briefly mentioned in 'The Motion Picture', its registry ties in with known ships of this class.

-The events surrounding the USS Pegasus  -used in controversial cloaking device experiments several years ago- is still considered a classified matter by Starfleet. But, as speculation, it is indeed possible that the initial experiments may have continued behind the scenes, for what remained of the vessel and mission data being at some time recovered -(no way would Starfleet leave it marooned in that asteroid for the Romulans to get hold of). But the exact whereabouts and status of the vessel, and under whose authority the matter lies, is unknown.

(NB. The prototype USS Oberth is one of the principal exhibits in the Fleet Museum facility in Jovian orbit.  ;)

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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