Truth OR Myth- Starfleet Starships- The Intrepid Class

Hello and Welcome to Truth OR Myth, in today’s episode we’re taking a look at the Intrepid Class Starship, it’s history, it’s statistics and attempt to answer why this Hero Ship Class was an amazing leap forward for Starfleet and the Federation.

After the Borg attack on Wolf 359, Starfleet realized that their current classes of Starships and the technology contained within them, simply weren’t up to the task of defending the Federation from the threats the galaxy was facing. As a result of Starfleet immediately began designing and constructing new classes of ships with experimental and brand new technology, and one of those classes was the Intrepid Class…

In 2370 the USS Intrepid was launched from the Utopia Planitia Ship Yards and was an immediate success during its shakedown cruise. At a Length of 344 Meters long and only 15 decks tall, this ship could be crewed by only 140 people.

(CBS) U.S.S. Voyager docked at DS9 – “Caretaker” – VOY S1x01

Being the fastest ship ever created until the Prometheus class came into service 4 years later, the Intrepid Class had a maximum sustainable speed of Warp 9.975. This meant that the ship could respond quickly to any threat or emergency that could arise.

However in 2371 when the class went in to full production, the discovery of how Standard Warp Drives of the time were damaging subspace had become common knowledge, Starfleet developed 2 new types of warp drive, one a class 9 warp drive that utilized a tricyclic input manifold and variable geometry pylons to stop the damage to subspace which would end up being used and tested in the Intrepid Class, and another that would be incorporated in to the Sovereign Class of Starships.

Though both versions of the Warp drive were successful, the Sovereign’s version would ultimately be the winner as it removed the need for moving warp pylons… Something Starfleet felt might become an issue in the future.

The Intrepid Class was designed to operate for a full 3 years before needing refuelling.

Its engine room was a 2 level complex with many monitoring stations and an area dedicated to testing of special projects and analysis of anything that the starship could run across in its explorational duties.

(CBS) Voyager landed on Hanon IV – “Basics Pt2” – VOY 2×26

This class also had a much more stable warp core ejection system, as the ejection systems that were currently being used on class such as the Galaxy often failed, though the ejection of the core had to be completed by the Chief Engineer or a member of the senior staff.

Another innovation in technology that was included in the Intrepid Class was Bio-neural Circuitry which replaced the standard isolinear chips of the time. basically being a thinking organic computer system, Bio-neural circuitry would improve a ships response time and store and retrieve information much faster than its isolinear counterpart.

Though a few problems were encountered with this new technology, such as the susceptibility of the Bio-neural Gel Packs to infections and certain forms of radiation, this technology would be an overwhelming success that Starfleet would incorporate into all future classes of starship.

The Intrepid Classes weapons systems were similar although more advanced than that of the Galaxy class.

The dorsal saucer section was covered by four main phaser arrays, which allowed for a full 360-degree target arc. And 9 other phaser array emitters scattered along the ships hull. These were all the new Type 10 Phaser Arrays.

(CBS) The Voyager Bridge

The Intrepid Class also contained 5 standard torpedo launchers. 2 forward, 2 aft and 1 Ventral launcher. These launchers were also capable of both launching standard photon torpedoes of the time as well as Quantum Torpedoes and Tricobalt Devices.

The Shield systems of the Intrepid Class were also a technological innovation of the time. Having 14 external emitters, these shields included multiphasic and multi-spectrum capabilities. This allowed the class to hang in a firefight longer than any starship designed during the Galaxy Class era of Starship designs.

This class also had standard ships systems of the time, which included, tractor beam emitters, improved transport systems and 2 shuttlebays, although the 2nd shuttle bay was behind the first and usually utilized for small craft repair and construction.

The main bridge was located on deck one and had a much more militaristic feel than the starships that came before it. Gone was the beige family friendly colour palette utilized by most ships of the time in favour of greys, chrome and blues.

On the starboard side of the bridge was the Captains Readyroom with forward facing windows and quite a large and comfortable space for the Captain to not only conduct personal ships business in but relax as well.

On the Port side was the Conference/ Observation lounge where ships meetings could take place.

(CBS) Voyagers Sickbay

Medical Facilities of this class were also the most advanced of the time, and these systems included a new untested system called the Emergency Medical Hologram. In event that a medical emergency where the ships medical staff were either unavailable or swamp and a holographic doctor could augment the medical staff and provide assistance when needed. This advancement in ships medical systems would prove ultimately successful though many test versions were made until a final version was incorporated into most starship classes.

Crew quarters of the class were generally comfortable spaces though smaller then the standard quarters on most starships of the time, and only senior officers had larger quarters which contained windows. the Captain’s quarters were the only quarters located on deck 3.

Recreational facilities included a large Mess Hall where crew members could dine with each other, playing 3-Dimensional Chess, Kal-toh, Kadis-Kot and host various ship functions and parties. The Mess hall was located at the foremost section of the ship on deck 2, and contained large windows to provide the crew with an unobstructed view of Space.

Also included in the intrepid class was the latest design of the Holodeck. these Holodecks contained their own power core to allow the Holodecks to not be so impactful on other ships systems.

(CBS) Voyagers Ready Room

This class also housed multiple science labs in keeping with Starfleet motto of exploring new worlds and research on various phenomenon which would be a normal part of a Starfleet officers life.

This class was also able to land and take off from a planet, this meant that this class was able to go into places that normal Starfleet ships like shuttlecrafts and transporters couldn’t reach.

It should be noted that on her maiden Voyage the USS Voyager, the 2nd of this class of starship became stranded in the Delta Quadrant, forcing the ship and crew to travel across 75000 light years of unknown and hostile territory to reach home.

Ultimately successful, only taking 7 years to get home instead of the 75 it was believed it was going to take, The USS Voyager quickly became a ship of legends after Starfleet became aware of its status in 2374. And when she returned home in 2378 Starfleet quickly analyzed the upgrades and changes made to Voyager during her 7-year absence and included those upgrades into the class itself.

Though designed to be a long-range explorer, this ship class proved itself in all situations it encountered, not least of which was tactical situations. Starfleet and the Federation couldn’t be happier this design and would base a lot of its future designs off of the intrepid class, ensuring this class would survive well into the 25th century.

Thank you for watching today’s episode of Truth OR Myth. What do you think of the Intrepid Class design? What would you have changed? Let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to the channel hitting that little bell icon so you don’t miss a single video we release.

And if you’d like to help a starving starship designer out with a little bit of warp plasma to keep the ship going, then the link to our Patreon Account is in the description below. Thanks again for watching, live long and prosper…

Watch epidoe 49 


 

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