Unofficial Timeline Of Space Travel and Starfleet - 21st to 24th Century

This is a new project, just a bit of fun really, but seeing as Enterprise seems to be destroying and screwing up the Star Trek timeline and chronology on a weekly basis it might be a satisfying exercise to speculate perhaps how the timeline should be to one who has studied Star Trek for 20+ years, seen every episode, and grasps the established timeline far better than any Paramount hack of the week, or the ratings obsessed' B&B.

This is of course all speculation, and I may have to gnarl the facts from time to time to make things 'fit a little better'. Case in point being the dubious Eugenics Wars that supposedly take place in 1996... I'll endeavour to be flexible and shift things round as they are encountered, particularly with the more greyer of areas. I for one would not like to accept the theory that Enterprise takes place in an alternate timeline, or indeed the Eugenics Wars. So the attempt here is to squeeze them all together so they occur in a singular correct timeline. For this to occur it is necessary to 'reject' certain onscreen evidence, such as Khan's 1996 line... (and quite happily so) 

This timeline though does not attempt to show just what we have seen on screen in the Star Trek series, and all the events and their ramifications, this is more of an overall (fictitious) Earth spaceships and Starfleet timeline; a somewhat tricky attempt to fit the new events of Enterprise into established canon - with of course Federation stuff coming in the mid 22nd century and beyond..

This is still a 'work in process', as there are several more gaps to be filled, and adjustments to be made. But I don't intend to expand the list beyond the early 2360's, where TNG begins. I think we're all familiar enough with that period. The intent here was to bring more clarity and definition to the grey areas of Trek history. 

Key

2025:	The deep space exploration charter is stepped up in a search for life. NASA launch several more probes, which sees the Voyager program resumed with the latest technology. Voyager 6 is launched in this year, and about thirty years after leaving the solar system disappears for good.
Comment:	Of course Voyager 6 sparks off the 'V'Ger incident' of 2271 (Star Trek: The Motion Picture). But Federation research has indicated that Voyager 6 may well have slipped into the active aperture of a Borg Transwarp Conduit, to reappear soon after in the Delta quadrant. It is also possible that the 'machine planet', and 'civilization of living machines' that Voyager encountered may have been a Borg world.
Footnote	Deckers line of 'this was launched more than 300 years ago' in The Motion Picture has to be put down to Decker being a bit of an idiot. Let's just say he often gets confused when trying to recall his historical dates! - I mean how many present day Naval officers would recall the precise date of a ship launched say, 300 years ago? Unless they were specifically interested in naval history, I doubt they would. Also, for Voyager 6 to be launched more than three hundred years before TMP it would require a date of around 1970, which is some years before even Voyager 1.TMP was made in 1979, by which time only Voyager 2 had been launched. So for the 300 years+ line to fit, the makers must have had it in mind that the film was set much later than 2279. Any such date wouldn't precisely fit...
2032:	The ISA (the privately funded 'International Space Agency') spacecraft Ares IV disappears near Mars. Astronaut John Kelly is listed as missing, presumed dead. It is a huge blow to ISA, in both finances and PR.
2028:	The SSE (Solar System Explorer) series of ships is commissioned in a joint venture by both NASA and JPA (Japanese Space Agency). With a maximum crew of 11 The SSE-100 vessel Beagle is launched from Kyushu, Japan, and within three months completes its initial 4 week orbital survey of Venus.
2030:	Moon Base Alpha completed after 16 years of construction. The base is small, but self-sufficient, catering for 20 occupants, nearly all of which are scientists.
2037:	NASA upgrade the SSE-100 ships and refit them with high-yield fusion propulsion, in an attempt to explore beyond earth's solar system. The third vessel to attempt this, the Charybdis, disappeared eleven months after leaving the system. It was presumed lost.
Comment:	The mystery of the Charybdis and its lone pilot was solved more than three centuries later by the USS Enterprise-D when a fragment of its hull was discovered floating adrift in orbit of Theta 116.
2044:	Along with the four SSE-100 ships a new series of vessels is initiated with the DY-50. The DY series was to be bigger and bolder than ever before. The first DY-50, New York, was the first ship built completely in space, at the new orbital yard facility at The ISSG (International Space Station Gamma).
2045:	Gravitons are discovered by a team of scientists at Helsinki University. Their work paves the way for artificial gravity technology in space, and 'Inertial Repeller Fields'.
2049:	Five years later the two DY-50 ships were superseded by the DY-100. Utilizing the newest technology at the time, the DY-100 prototype was the fastest ship yet built. With a revolutionary fusion propulsion system it could achieve a velocity approaching 4000 miles per second. This vessel was the first to employ the Inertial Repeller Fields to dampen acceleration/deceleration forces.
2050::	Political ties between the NUN (New United Nations) and the Eastern Coalition, headed by China, ends, and the world is thrown into chaos by the 'Guam Incident'. Here follows World War III, and a nuclear exchange that batters many major western and eastern cities for the next few months. 600 million lives are lost. The world economy is devastated, and a new dark age is predicted. But humanity endured, and for the next few years economies are largely restored once again, and both east and west cooperate, and both undergo a global radiation clean up program. But in small remote areas warlord clans spring up looking to overthrow the new world order.
2052:	Soon after the war ISA reforms, and resumes its missions. Almost  immediately several new and interesting space programs yield successes, such as the first manned missions to the outer planets. And it is there, on the moons of Uranus that an intriguing mineral is discovered: Dilithium. Once on earth bids fly in from the scientific community to get their hands on the unique new material. But it was maverick scientist Zefram Cochrane, working in seclusion at his Montana reservation, that makes the biggest breakthrough of all.
2053:	The SSE-200 series of ships is commissioned in a joint venture by both NASA and JPA (Japanese Space Agency). With an increased maximum crew compliment of 20 the first SSE-200 vessel, Valiant, is launched from Cape Kelly in Florida, set for a six month mission to Mars.
2054:	The second and grandest moon base is established, initially called Moon Base Beta. It could accommodate up to 50 persons. But with expansions over the next few years that total rises to over 100, many being civilians. The base's name is changed to New Berlin.
2056:	Over the next four years Cochrane experimented with the properties of Dilithium, particularly after witnessing first hand initial experiments by scientist Igi Yamora of Tokyo University, that proved that Dilithium had the ability to resist anti-matter bombardment.
2059:	In a joint venture ISA and UESPA set up a small research post on the Martian plain of Utopia Planitia. The goal of this program hopes to see a launching post for new spacecraft established there.
Footnote	According to information we have from the Conestoga which left earth in about 2067 (ENT 'Terra Firma') there was at this time 'something' already established at Utopia Planitia. I doubt it was anything very substantial.
2060:	UESPA launch the DY-200, and 245 series, the first ship of the type being the Kyle T. Kerl.
2063:	Cochrane's breakthrough had come three years earlier, in 2360. His anti-matter engine, or 'spatial warp impeller' had been born. But the first test flight still awaited. Using the casing of old Titan V rocket, Cochrane built his 'Phoenix warpship' at his hidden Montana base, being a long discarded missile silo facility. On April 4th of 2063 he successfully launched the vehicle and broke the warp barrier for the first time. His efforts did not go unnoticed, as an alien surveyor ship nearby had tracked the Phoenix. They came to investigate and made contact with Cochrane the very next day. It was a watershed event for the human race.
2064:	Due to the spectacular success of Cochrane's experiment The Deep Space Mining Corps. is established by ISA. Its mission is to oversee the mining of the precious Dilithium ore from the outer planets.
Comment:	The Sol System was so richly endowed with Dilithium (particularly on the crystalline outer planets) that it was one contributing and secret factor as to why the Vulcans became so interested in Earth affairs (unbeknownst to the humans). Soon Earth and Vulcan became firm affiliates in trade and commerce.
2067:	The Conestoga is launched. Sponsored by an independent corporate body it had taken three years to refit the existing SSE-100 vessel with Prof. Cochrane's new warp propulsion technology. A self-financed group of wannabe space explorers set off to go boldly where none had gone before. At the same time UESPA launches the first of its Friendship missions: a series of deep space probes designed to seek out new lifeforms.
2071:	Registered by the UESPA foundation (United Earth Space-Probe Agency - a body dedicated to overseeing the new warp technology with the objective of using warp to explore space), the American ship Valiant (of the SSE-200 Class) was, in a similar program transformed into a warp explorer, and it too was launched as part of a bold initiative to explore space. The ship was monitored from afar by the unhappy Vulcans for some years as it made its way through unchartered space. But something occurred that was precisely the key to the Vulcan argument of 'undue haste'. Having no knowledge of the dangers of space, and being unfamiliar with its many traps and pitfalls, the Valiant flew straight into a magnetic storm bordering a violent 'subspace anomaly', and was thrown completely off course.
Comment:	The fate of the Valiant was unknown for many years. But it was learned that the vessel was not destroyed by the anomaly at all, but was transported across thousands of light years of space to reappear on the outer rim of the Galaxy. (TOS: Where No Man Has Gone Before)
2076:	The last SSE ships were decommissioned. UESPA supplement their fleet with the DY-430 series of Explorers and Stellar Surveyors. The DY-430 could reach a maximum speed of warp 1.4.
2078:	In 2078 the world faces a new crisis as many unaligned countries controlled by the genetically enhanced warlords (commanding a vast army of drug-addicted barbarians) rise up against the new world order, resisting all overtures by the NUN. A bitter three year campaign ensues..
2081:	The problem in many of the underprivileged post war 'fourth world' regions reaches emergency proportions. But finally the dispute ends with many warlords captured. But it takes a considerable amount of time to restore full order, and to direct financial aid to these regions and their citizens. At least one warlord, Khan Noonien Singh, escapes punishment by fleeing earth in a stolen DY-100 sleeper ship. The ship (only refitted with the more primitive warp engines) could only cruise at warp 1, but she escapes capture and heads off into deep space.
Footnote	This contradicts Khan's line in The Wrath of Khan that states the Botany Bay left in earth in 1996. But VGR's episode 'Future's End', set in 1996, already more or less has contradicted this line. It's safe to assume that Mr. Roddenberry was perhaps over optimistic in Space Seed to believe humanity would reach this level of both genetic and space technology by 1996. Because of this, and 'Future's End' I am forced to amend these dates. Furthermore, in 'Doctor Bashir, I Presume', the term '200 years ago' is applied to the Eugenics wars, which would place them roughly in the 2170's area. Whereas this certainly challenges the Space Seed date, it adds greater complications, as I very much doubt the wars occurred during the 22nd century, a few years after the installation of the UFP no less. Personally I'd prefer a line of 300 years ago here, but all we're left with is further confusion.
2082:	UESPA launch the DY-500 series, the first ship being the Lexington.
2088:	After nearly 30 years of construction and planning UESPA complete their Yard Facility on the Martian plateau of Utopia Planitia.
2092:	UESPA commissions two variants for the DY series, a new type B and C, the latter being slightly largely. Both are deployed on colonial duty.
2097:	UESPA supplement their fleet with the small exploration ship series: AT-Class.
2098:	The DY-700 prototype and 732 prototypes debuted. The 732 was limited to only short range interstellar journeys.
2103:	Mars is finally colonised with civilians, and many people, particularly entrepreneurs buy up tracts of land for property development.
2112:	The NUN disbands and reforms again as The United World Government, including nearly all off the now unified eastern nations.
2119:	Zefram Cochrane oversees the grand opening of the new Warp 5 complex on earth. Later this year he retires to live out the rest of his life at the Alpha Centauri colonies. He disappeared in space soon after, with official records listing him as 'missing, presumed dead'.
Footnote	The opening of the Warp 5 complex featured in the Enterprise episode 'Broken Bow', yet previous information has Cochrane 'disappear' in 2117. For now I am are forced to amend this earlier given date to 'circa 2117'...
2124:	UESPA launch its biggest and most superior cruiser to date: the DY-950 range, with its prototype Eagle Valley.
2128:	The 'Star Fleet Command' is founded. Using San Francisco as a base The Star Fleet (or Starfleet) strove to be the 'United Earth Space Force' utilizing state of the art warp technology to explore space. As a result, UESPA becomes an ancillary arm of Starfleet, usually operating only research vessels and probes.
2129-2133:	Starfleet immediately took a new, radical direction. UESPA continue with their programs of limited exploration and colonisation with the DY ships, but Starfleet wanted something new and different. What resulted were ships with far less internal volume, but far greater speed and range. The best engineering minds of the time (with some assistance from the Vulcans) came together to design the new range of ships, just one of which was the Neptune Class which was commissioned in 2133.
2135:	Civilian settlement at Utopia Planitia and Hellas Planitia established. An orbital yard facility and space station is also earmarked. A ten year construction plan is drawn up for the complex.
2140:	UESPA launch the last of the DY vessels with the 260 metre DY-1200. Only two ships of the class were commissioned. The DY-1200 ship Canberra makes first contact with the Tellarites.
2145:	A group of idealists leave Earth aboard a colonial ship to Benthe II. They reject the colony, and from there continue on their own personal journey in a chartered vessel, seeking a world to set up a perfect, masterpiece society.
Footnote	TNG's 'The Masterpiece Society' establishes a human colony on Moab IV, and they accomplished this perfection over a period of 'two centuries'. It opens with their astonished reaction to the Enterprise's matter/energy transportation device - obviously beaming is something very new to them. But 2 centuries before the time-frame of this episode puts the foundation of the colony at around 2168, some 17 years after the launch of Archer's NX Class Enterprise, which has transporters. I think this can be explained by the 'two centuries' line - two centuries after they landed and established the colony. It might have taken them years to get there and set everything up, in which case they may very well have left earth before transporter technology was 'invented'. Either that, or transporters for some time remained a secret, military/Starfleet-only technology.
2150:	The last independent nation states join the United World Government.
2151:	First contact with the Klingons. The incident almost sparks a serious interstellar incident, but is narrowly averted.
2151:	To counter the Klingon situation and extend a hand of diplomacy to this new race, Starfleet rush the prototype starship Enterprise (of the NX Class) into service. The Enterprise is the first Warp 5 starship - the fastest ever - and here begins a pioneering mission of several years to explore deep space.
2152:	Starfleet and Earth makes first contact with the Romulans.
2154:	The second NX-Class ship (Endeavour) is launched - the ship type is officially christened 'Enterprise Class'. Earthdock expands, and five more of this class are constructed in the following two and a half years
2156:	Starship Challenger (NX-03) strays into Romulan territory, and is immediately destroyed. The incident prompts a quick and angry response from Starfleet.
2157:	Earth / Romulan relations decay further, and a lengthy border dispute erupts. Full scale war is imminent.
2159:	Tensions escalate with the Romulans, and both fleets meet in the Cheron system. Over subspace radio the Romulans shun all attempts for emergency talks. Soon volleys of weapons fire are exchanged. For three days and nights a bitter dogfight ensues, but the Romulan fleet is devastated and Starfleet comes away victorious. The Romulans have no choice but to surrender and make the necessary territorial concessions, sealed by a treaty of non aggression. To separate certain key areas of space a neutral zone of space is suggested as a barrier.
2160:	Due to the recent hostilities with the Romulans Starfleet calls for a seminar on earth to discuss earth defences. Several leading dignitaries of non-aligned worlds in which Starfleet have had relations (such as the Axanar, Deltans, Tellarites, and Andorians - coming together with the Vulcans for the first time - ) are invited to contribute to the proceedings. What emerged from the three day seminar in San Francisco was a mutual defence and exploration plan; a plan of affiliation and a unification of forces.
2161:	United Federation of Planets, as it was properly coined, was founded - with twelve members initially. Delegates from each party meet to discuss the combination and unification of all resources, and a mutually agreeable constitution.
2161:	Starfleet reforms as the United Starfleet, with the motto 'to boldly go where no man has gone before'. It welcomes off-world Federation races into its ranks for the first time. The Vulcans decline any invitation to be part of the new Starfleet, in favour of operating their military independently.
2161:	The first Federation starship, the Daedalus Class is completed. Almost a year under construction it is the first Starfleet vessel designed primarily by a non-human, yet combining Human, Vulcan, Tellarite and Andorian technologies, resources and design principles.
2161:	Construction yards established at Alpha Centauri, Tellar and 40 Eridani-A (Vulcan). At 40 Eridani-A the Federation Flagship, the USS Federation nears completion...
2161:	All previous Starfleet vessels are incorporated into the fleet, but remain unregistered with the prefix NAR, and S.S.
Footnote	I suppose this could be one way to explain why the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 is the first (registered) Federation starship with that name - this way it's possible that Archer's Enterprise continued well into the 23rd century as a non-Federation (purely Earth) ship. This way Starfleet might prefer to steer clear of naming a properly registered ship USS Enterprise whilst the old unregistered one was still in service (to avoid confusion). There really is no other explanation as to why Starfleet waited until 2244 to use such a classic name as Enterprise...
2161-2162:	Starships types Pioneer, Gagarin, Europa and Vostok are launched over an nineteen month period.
2163:	The Federation Council installed, utilizing a full presidential system: locations for centre of all operations chosen to be San Francisco, home of Starfleet. This was after all a Human endeavour from day one... (so commented Admiral Forrest at the time). The first Federation President (which would be elected from Council member ambassadors on a rotational basis) is Vulcan.
2165:	Illustrious Class starship launched. It is the first starship constructed and launched from Utopia Planitia.
2167:	USS Essex of the Daedalus Class disappears from all long range sensors. A search party is dispatched to the Iridon and Mab-Bu sectors, but scans fail to locate the ship. It's sister ship, the Archon is lost at Beta III some months later.
2168:	Mercury Class surveyor is commissioned, launched from 40 Eridani-A.
2168:	Another Daedalus Class ship, the Horizon is lost at Sigma Iotia II.
2169:	Starfleet officials meet to discuss amendments to existing regulations and directives. A new mandate is drawn up with an overriding 'Prime Directive' of non-interference.
Footnote	This is hereby inferred due to the Horizon incident, which saw the crew leave the book 'Chicago Mobs of the Twenties' behind on the planet, gravely contaminating the society. This incident predated the 'Prime Directive'.
2170:	Native American Katowa petitions for the resettlement of his people. Government funding provides him with a Warp 1 colonial vessel, which he and his followers take to the stars seeking a new home.
Footnote	It took the Native Americans nearly two hundred years to discover the Dorvan system, which was within in or near (at the time) the Cardassian border - TNG's 'Journey's End'.
2184:	The Saladin Class Destroyer launched from San Francisco Yards, Earth. Two years later came the Hermes scout variant.
2185:	The all purpose Hector Class Utility Ship enters service, (often as a Research/Science Vessel)
Footnote	This is a conjectural designation for the 'Charlie X' USS Antares, NCC 501... More
2189:	The Oberth Class is introduced as a long-term, long-range Surveyor and research vessel.
2196:	The Explorer Class debuts, phasing out the older Daedalus Class.
2202:	Starfleet launches its one thousandth ship, the USS White Star. In the same year Starbase Earhart is officially opened, the Federation's 50th Starbase.
2203:	The Light Cruiser Valencia Class enters service.
2205:	The first phase of Constitution Class vessels are commissioned, with the prototype vessel USS Constitution NCC 947.
2209:	Starfleet establishes the Yoyodyne Engineering Division at 40 Eridani-A fleetyards.
2218:	In 2218, a convoy of colonial vessels is brutally attacked by Klingon ships of new design on the edge of Klingon space. Pleas for amnesty and diplomatic interchange go unheard. The Incident, after a long period of peace, sparks a new era of conflict with the Klingons.
2222:	Starfleet's most advanced ship to date, the Valiant Class enters service as a Heavy Cruiser.
2224:	The Kanosta Agreement sees the installation of the Klingon/Federation Neutral Zone.
2236:	Federation Flagship USS Constitution destroyed at Gamma Hydra by two Romulan Warhawks.
2243:	Scientist Richard Daystrom invents his Duotronic computer system, for which he wins the Nobel prize.
2244:	Starfleet launch the second Starship called Constitution (NCC 1700) to replace and honour lost flagship. This heralds a second phase of Constitution vessels with an upgraded design. Constitutions already in service are refitted.
Footnote	Whether this theory would stand up to close scrutiny remains to be seen. Somehow we have to justify some of the low Constitution Class registries (such as USS Eagle NCC 956, USS Constellation NCC 1017 etc). With this theory we could say that the NCC 1700 just happened to the second ship called Constitution in the class...
2244:	One of Starfleet's most famous ships, the USS Enterprise is launched. The Constitution Class Heavy Cruiser is commanded by Robert April.
2249:	The first Vulcan, Spock, joins the ranks of Starfleet. He paves the way for many others.
2251:	Captain Christopher Pike begins the first of his two five year missions as commander of USS Enterprise.
2254:	Starfleet engineers continue experimenting with 'quaternary-shift' and multi-tiered warp fields.
2260:	The Loknar Class frigate enters service
2261:	Starfleet launches the Cruiser USS Miranda, prototype for a new class of ship.
2264:	One of the Starfleet's most illustrious Captains, James T. Kirk, begins his first deep space five year tour aboard USS Enterprise.
2264:	Starfleet launches the more heavily armed Miranda variant USS Soyuz.
2266:	The Romulans commit first breach of the Neutral Zone agreements in a century. The invading ship is destroyed after a campaign of terror against old Earth Outposts bordering the Zone.
2267:	The Federation and the Klingons sign Organian Peace Treaty. Babel Conference takes place this year, which sees the admittance of the Coridan into the Federation.
2267:	Yoyodyne's 'quaternary shift' program yields the commissioning of the experimental Constellation Class.
2267:	Starfleet unveil a second four nacelled ship, promising transwarp is just around the corner. The experimental vessel, called 'Excelsior' (registered NX-1 2000) is hailed as the future of space exploration. This design is but one embryonic vision of the final product, which is still thought to be some years off...
2267:	Eugenics Warlord Khan and his followers found in Cryogenic freeze aboard DY-100 Sleeper Ship. Khan attempts to seize control of the Enterprise upon his revival but is thwarted. Capt. Kirk eliminates any further threat by banishing the group to the surface of Ceti Alpha V.
2267:	The Sydney Class Transport enters service.
2268:	Rising tensions with the Klingons leads to the development of dedicated warships. A primary example of this is the second Federation Class, a Dreadnought, launched in this year.
2271:	Still looking to perfect a 'transwarp' system Starfleet extends the Excelsior Program further, and begins field tests of their second starship prototype. The NX-2 2000.
2271:	Year of the 'V'Ger Incident' as it was known - Voyager 6 returned to Earth with such power it threatened all life on the planet.
	The Constitutions, beginning with the Enterprise, go through an extended run of refits, the second major overhaul in the class' history.
2272:	Federation scientists receive research grant to study bio-replication. Regula One station appropriated and established as a Space Laboratory, and home for their research.
2273:	A third variation of the Excelsior (NX-3 2000) undergoes trials in the Solar System. It was at this stage that the program saw an end to the four nacelle concept.
2276:	Existing Miranda Class vessels are refitted. A new phase of ships are commissioned.
2278:	Starfleet lose contact with USS Bozeman in the Typhon sector. Ship is listed as missing.
2279:	The fourth stage of the Excelsior program begins with the prototype NX-4 2000.
2282:	21st century earth warlord Khan Noonien Singh is released from exile by accident. Immediately he commandeers USS Reliant, and steals the Genesis technology from Regula One Space Laboratory to use as a weapon. In a last stand he triggers the 'Genesis Effect' creating the Genesis Planet, which ultimately fails and self destructs a year later. All protomatter experiments banned by the Federation.
2284:	With a finalised 5th design the completed prototype for the Excelsior Class is launched as USS Excelsior NX-2000.
2285:	The Klingon 'cold war' deepens and Starfleet enters into a widespread refitting program to re-arm and upgrade. Many unregistered vessels are absorbed into the fleet with enhanced defences (including Transports, Shuttles, Salvage Ships, Hospital ships etc), vastly inflating the number of registered ships in the field.
2286:	After long field studies the 'Great Experiment' of Transwarp for the Excelsior Program is declared a failure during this year. Traditional warp propulsion is installed in the Excelsior and she enters normal service with the registry NCC-2000. The Excelsior is granted flagship status.
2287:	Earth is forced to deal with another serious alien threat: for this was the year of the 'Whale Probe Incident.'
2289:	The Xerses Class enters service as a Light Cruiser. The Loknars are recalled and refitted.
2293:	Key Klingon moon Praxis explodes, plunging the Empire into serious turmoil. The strain on resources becomes so great their very existence is threatened - and then Chancellor Gorkon is promptly assassinated by Federation radicals colluding with Klingon purists. An uneasy peace is eventually sealed by the Khitomer Accords.
2293:	A new variant Excelsior is introduced with the much hailed USS Enterprise-B
2298:	The ubiquitous Antares Class enters service as an all purpose long haul Freighter.
2298:	Ambassador NX-1 10000 is withdrawn from field trials and scrapped.
2301:	Dating back to Excelsior Program research the three nacelled Medusa Class Destroyer is commissioned.
2302:	The second Ambassador prototype (NX-10521) is approved, and launched as Starfleet's primary Heavy Cruiser. The Ambassadors employed the revolutionary form of 'Phaser strip' delivery system.
2304:	Ambassador variant Apollo Class Frigate launched from Utopia Planitia.
2309:	The Wambundu Class Light Cruiser is commissioned in this year.
2310:	Hokule'a Class Cruiser launched from 40 Eridani-A.
2311:	Romulan and Federation forces engage in a series of skirmishes along the Neutral Zone, and the principal and defining encounter is later known as the Tomed Incident. As a result the Treaty of Algeron was established, with concessions made on both sides. The Federation agreed to cease all cloaking experiments. And the new agreements see the Romulans enter into a long period of isolation.
2318:	Niagara Class joins the Ambassador family as an alternative Heavy Cruiser.
2321:	With the colonization of the Mured Sector the Federation expands to a diameter of over 6,000 LYs.
2323:	First Contact with Cardassian Union. Diplomatic interchange is smooth for some time.
2324:	The primarily Vulcan registered Surak Class is commissioned this year from the yards at 40 Eridani-A.
2328:	As many Excelsiors are recalled for another refitting operation many existing components are utilized in constructing a smaller and more compact class of vessel, intended for most likely Scouting duty.
2328:	First minor territorial conflict with the Cardassians. Cardassian forces are subdued and driven back.
2329:	'Isolinear Optical Chips' are perfected and installed into starship computer systems for the first time. The Ambassador Class ships are the first to benefit from the new technology - as well as a new form of higher yield Photon Torpedo.
2331:	The Centaur Class, being a bi-product of the recent Excelsior refit and renewal efforts, is launched from Beta Antares.
Footnote	Of course we cannot know for sure whether this ship is a one off, or a class, or in that event what the class name really is. More. The same can be said for the Curry, below/...
2332:	In a similar attempt as pooling resources and engineering components with the Centaurs during the Cardassian campaigns, the Curry Class debuts as Carrier, which bring much needed fighter support to the front lines.
	The Mediterranean Class is introduced as a new Surveyor. In this year the Cardassian conflict abates after a series of peace negotiations.
2333:	Starfleet commissions Renaissance Class.
2344:	Cardassians launch a sneak attack on newly established Starbase 401. As a result a 'second war' breaks out - this time on a full scale. The Federation respond with a massive assault of Cardassian military installations along their borders. An extended five year campaign depletes almost half of the entire Cardassian forces.
2344:	Ambassador Class USS Enterprise lost at Klingon outpost Narendra III.
2345:	The Steamrunner Class Destroyer makes its debut and is immediately rushed to the frontline of the Cardassian war effort.
	The Springfield Class Surveyor prototype is first launched from McKinley Station, Earth.
2347:	The Zodiac Class Medium Cruiser is commissioned. Two vessels, launched side by side, are deployed to the Romulan Neutral Zone to supplement border patrols during this difficult time, for Federation resources are spread thin.
2348:	Cardassians attack Federation colony Setlik III, killing many civilians.
	Following the Springfield, which derived many design features from the ambitious Galaxy Class program, currently underway, came Challenger Class, with experimental vertically stacked nacelles to cater for greater manoeuvrability along the Y axis.
2352:	New peace accords between the Federation and Klingon Empire formally seal an Alliance between the two powers. It is deemed the greatest diplomatic breakthrough, and the most auspicious coup, in Federation history.
2358:	Experimental ship USS Pegasus lost in Devolin system. Captain Pressman reports the crew mutinied moments before disaster struck.
2359:	Cardassian war ends - although further skirmishes break out persistently over several years.
2363:	The Federation's new flagship, USS Enterprise-D is commissioned. Launched from Utopia Planitia it is the first official Galaxy Class starship in service. The prototype USS Galaxy follows some months later.
2364:	First official contact with a member of the hyper-dimensional Q Continuum.
2364:	First official contact with the Ferengi Alliance made by USS Enterprise-D in the Delphi Ardu system.
2365:	The Romulans cross the Neutral Zone in the first show of force for decades, announcing to the Federation 'that they were back' - and with a devastating new class of ship: The Warbird.
2365:	Federation starship Enterprise thrown into the path of a Borg Cube by an Omnipotent Q being. Event marks first contact with the Borg.
2366:	All remaining Cardassian/Federation skirmishes end with the installation of the Demilitarised Zone, separating the two territories.

BACK TO STARSHIPS ARTICLES INDEX

FLEET LISTINGS INDEX

CLASS LIST AND STATISTICS BOARD