:"''Not so big as [[Hikaru Sulu|her Captain]], I think.''"
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:: – '''[[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]]''' and '''[[Montgomery Scott|Scott]]''', [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country|2293]]
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The '''USS ''Excelsior'' (NCC-2000)''' was a [[Federation]] [[starship]] that was in service during the late [[23rd century]] and [[24th century]]. It was also the [[prototype]] for thevery successful {{ShipClass|Excelsior}} of starship.
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The '''USS ''Excelsior'' (NX-2000, later NCC-2000)''' was a [[Federation]] {{ShipClass|Excelsior}} [[starship]] that was in service with [[Starfleet]] from the late [[23rd century]]. ''Excelsior'' was the [[prototype]] for herclass of starship.
==Trial runs==
==Trial runs==
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[[Image:Excelsior in spacedock.jpg|thumb|The ''Excelsior'' in spacedock]]
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[[File:USS Excelsior in Spacedock.jpg|thumb|The ''Excelsior'' in spacedock]]
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Dubbed "[[The Great Experiment]]," the ''Excelsior'' was conceived during the early [[2280s]] as the first [[Starfleet]] vessel equipped with [[transwarp drive]]. An aweinspiring concept to some, traditional [[engineer]]s were more skeptical, as in the case of [[Montgomery Scott]], who expressed his doubt in transwarp technology with the analogy, "''and if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon.''" ({{film|3}})
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Dubbed "[[The Great Experiment]]," the ''Excelsior'' was conceived during the early [[2280s]] as the first [[Starfleet]] vessel equipped with [[transwarp drive]]. An awe-inspiring concept to some, traditional [[engineer]]s were more skeptical, as in the case of [[Montgomery Scott]], who expressed his doubt in transwarp technology with the analogy, "''and if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon.''" ({{film|3}})
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Designed under radically new principles of propulsion, the ''Excelsior'' had the potential for becoming the fastest starship in the entire Federation, as at that time, the Starfleet record for FTL travel was [[warp factor]] 14.1, set by the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} in [[2269]]. ({{TOS|That Which Survives}})
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Designed under radically new principles of propulsion, the ''Excelsior'' had the potential for becoming the fastest starship in the entire Federation, as at that time, the Starfleet record for faster-than-light travel was [[warp factor]] 14.1, set by the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} in [[2269]]. ({{TOS|That Which Survives}})
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[[Image:Excelsior bridge 2285.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Excelsior'''s bridge, manned by the ship's commanding officer, Captain Styles, and other officers.]]
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[[File:Excelsior bridge 2285.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Excelsior''{{'}}s bridge, manned by the ship's commanding officer, Captain Styles, and other officers]]
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By [[2285]], the ''Excelsior'' ([[NX]]-2000) was under the command of [[Captain]] [[Styles]], and had taken a berth in [[Earth Spacedock]] as it prepared for trial runs.
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By [[2285]], the ''Excelsior'' was under the command of [[Captain]] [[Styles]], and had taken a berth in [[Earth Spacedock]] as she was prepared for trial runs.
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The ''Excelsior'' was days away from its first full field test of the transwarp drive, when it was unexpectedly called for duty. The crew of the USS ''Enterprise'', attempting to rejoin [[Captain]] [[Spock]]'s ''[[katra]]'' with his regenerated body, hijacked the ''Enterprise'' for an illegal trip to the [[Genesis Planet]].
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The ''Excelsior'' was days away from her first full field test of the transwarp drive, when she was unexpectedly called for duty. The crew of the USS ''Enterprise'', attempting to rejoin [[Captain]] [[Spock]]'s ''[[katra]]'' with his regenerated body, hijacked the ''Enterprise'' for an illegal trip to the [[Genesis (planet)|Genesis Planet]].
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[[Image:ExcelsiorSpacedock.jpg|thumb|The ''Excelsior'' sputters out, dead in space.]]
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[[File:USS Excelsior stalls outside Spacedock.jpg|thumb|The ''Excelsior'' sputters out, dead in space]]
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Captain Styles, confident in his new "incredible machine," was ordered to pursue as the ''Enterprise'' entered warp, fleeing the system. However, Captain Montgomery Scott, assigned as [[Captain of engineering]] aboard the ''Excelsior'', had sabotaged the ship's [[transwarp computer]], leaving the ''Excelsior'' dead in space. Proud of his accomplishment, Scott explained that "''the more they overtake the plumbing, the easier to stop up the drain.''" ({{film|3}})
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Captain Styles, confident in his new "incredible machine," was ordered to pursue as the ''Enterprise'' entered warp, fleeing the system. However, Captain Montgomery Scott, assigned as [[captain of engineering]] aboard the ''Excelsior'', had sabotaged the ship's [[transwarp computer]], leaving the ''Excelsior'' dead in space. Proud of his accomplishment, Scott explained that "''the more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain.''" ({{film|3}})
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Following this embarrassing failure, the ''Excelsior'' essentially spent the next two years in Spacedock. In [[2286]] it was briefly ordered to be launched during an apparent attack by an [[Whale Probe|alien probe]], but the ''Excelsior'', as well as the Spacedock lost all internal power and was left stranded in its bay. ({{film|4}})
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Following this embarrassing failure, the ''Excelsior'' essentially spent the next two years in spacedock. In [[2286]] she was briefly ordered to be launched during an apparent attack by an [[Whale Probe|alien probe]], but the ''Excelsior'', as well as the spacedock, lost all internal power and was left stranded in her bay. ({{film|4}})
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After the ''Enterprise'' was destroyed at the Genesis Planet, [[Hikaru Sulu]] believed he and his ''Enterprise'' shipmates would be assigned to the ''Excelsior'' before learning their next assignment was the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-A}}. At the time, [[Montgomery Scott]] believed the ''Excelsior'' to be nothing more than a "''bucket of bolts.''" ({{film|4}})
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After the ''Enterprise'' was destroyed at the Genesis Planet, [[Hikaru Sulu]] believed he and his ''Enterprise'' shipmates would be assigned to the ''Excelsior'' before learning their next assignment was the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-A|-A}}. At the time, [[Montgomery Scott]] believed the ''Excelsior'' to be nothing more than a "bucket of bolts." ({{film|4}})
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The ''Excelsior'' remained in Spacedock until at least [[2287]], before subsequently being recommissioned for active service by the end of the decade. ({{film|5}}, {{film|6}})
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The ''Excelsior'' remained in spacedock until at least [[2287]], before subsequently being recommissioned for active service by the end of the decade. ({{film|5}}; {{film|6}})
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[[Image:Excelsior Bridge 1.jpg|thumb|Updated bridge design in [[2293]].]]
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[[File:Excelsior Bridge 1.jpg|thumb|Updated bridge design in [[2293]]]]
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Prior to its recommissioning, the ''Excelsior'' was [[refit]] with a new [[bridge]] module, which also included a significant modification to the [[aft]] portion of the [[saucer section]], surrounding the [[impulse drive]], and a modification to the [[cargo bay]] on the aft [[ventral]] portion of the ship. ({{film|6}})
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Prior to her recommissioning, the ''Excelsior'' was [[refit]]ted with a new [[bridge]] module, which also included a significant modification to the [[aft]] portion of the [[saucer section]], surrounding the [[impulse drive]], and a modification to the [[cargo bay]] on the aft [[ventral]] portion of the ship. ({{film|6}})
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: ''Although never directly addressed, the only evidence that the ''Excelsior'' was a failure as a transwarp prototype can be found in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]],'' which stated that "''the attempt to surpass the primary warp field efficiency barrier with the Transwarp Development Project in the early 2280s proved unsuccessful...''".
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{{bginfo|Although never directly addressed, the only evidence that the ''Excelsior'' was a failure as a transwarp prototype can be found in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]],'' which stated that "''the attempt to surpass the primary warp field efficiency barrier with the Transwarp Development Project in the early 2280s proved unsuccessful...''".|Inaddition, the ''[[Star Trek Chronology]]'' speculates that the reference made by [[Data]] in {{TNG|Evolution}} stating "''there has not been a system-wide technological failure on a starship in [[2287|seventy-nine years]],''" may have been in reference to the failure of the transwarp drive.}}
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: ''In addition, the ''[[Star Trek Chronology]]'' speculates that the reference made by [[Data]] in {{TNG|Evolution}} stating "''there has not been a system-wide technological failure on a starship in [[2287|seventy-nine years]],''" may have been in reference to the failure of the transwarp drive.''
==Three-year mission==
==Three-year mission==
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[[Image:Excelsior shockwave.jpg|thumb|The ''Excelsior'' inside the shock wave of the Klingon moon Praxis.]]
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[[File:USS Excelsior escapes shockwave.jpg|thumb|The ''Excelsior'' escaping the shock wave of the Klingon moon Praxis]]
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By [[2290]], the ''Excelsior'' (NCC-2000) was under the command of the now-Captain Hikaru Sulu. His first assignment was a three-year mission, cataloging [[gas]]eous [[planet]]ary [[anomaly|anomalies]] in the [[Beta Quadrant]]. ({{film|6}})
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By [[2290]], the ''Excelsior'' was under the command of now-Captain [[Hikaru Sulu]]. His first assignment was a three-year mission, cataloging [[gas]]eous [[planet]]ary [[anomaly|anomalies]] in the [[Beta Quadrant]]. ({{film|6}})
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:''According to a line cut from the script, the crew cataloged "''fifty-four planets – and their gaseous atmospheric anomalies.''"
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{{bginfo|According to a line cut from the script, the crew cataloged "fifty-four planets – and their gaseous atmospheric anomalies."}}
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In [[2293]], as the ''Excelsior'' was returning to Federation space following the successful conclusion of its mission, it was struck by a powerful [[subspace shock wave]] caused by the destruction of the [[Klingon Empire|Klingon]] [[moon]], [[Praxis]]. Upon discovering the cause of the disaster, Sulu immediately contacted the [[Klingon High Command]] to offer his ship's assistance. The [[Klingon]]s, however, turned the offer down, requesting that the Sulu obey treaty stipulations and remain outside the [[Neutral Zone]]. Thereafter, Sulu reported the incident to [[Starfleet Command]]. ({{film|6}})
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In [[2293]], as the ''Excelsior'' was returning to Federation space following the successful conclusion of her mission, she was struck by a powerful [[subspace shock wave]] caused by the destruction of the [[Klingon Empire|Klingon]] [[moon]], [[Praxis]]. Upon discovering the cause of the disaster, Sulu immediately contacted the [[Klingon High Command]] to offer his ship's assistance. The [[Klingon]]s, however, turned the offer down, requesting that Sulu obey treaty stipulations and remain outside the [[Neutral Zone]]. Thereafter, Sulu reported the incident to [[Starfleet Command]]. ({{film|6}})
[[File:USS Excelsior and Kang'scruiser faceoff.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Excelsior'' encounters Kang's battle cruiser]]
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Two months later, following the arrest of [[James T. Kirk]] and [[Leonard McCoy]] on charges of [[assassination|assassinating]] [[Klingon chancellor]] [[Gorkon]], Captain Sulu ordered an aborted raid into Klingon territory on an ill-advised rescue attempt. ({{VOY|Flashback}})
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Following the arrest of [[James T. Kirk]] and [[Leonard McCoy]] on charges of [[assassination|assassinating]] [[Klingon chancellor]] [[Gorkon]], Captain Sulu ordered an aborted raid into Klingon territory from [[Sector 21185]] on an ill-advised rescue attempt. ({{film|6}}; {{VOY|Flashback}})
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Sulu, who attempted to sneak the ''Excelsior'' into Klingon territory by traversing the [[Azure Nebula]], was discovered by a [[Kang's battle cruiser (2293)|Klingon battle cruiser]] commanded by [[Kang]]. While Sulu explained that the ''Excelsior'' was on a [[survey mission]], studying the nebula, and had gotten lost due to a malfunction in the [[navigation system]], Kang offered to escort the ''Excelsior'' back to Federation space. As the ''Excelsior'' emerged, it fired a modulated [[positron beam]] that triggered a thermochemical reaction, and successfully disabled Kang's ship.
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Sulu, who attempted to sneak the ''Excelsior'' into Klingon territory by traversing the [[Azure Nebula]], was discovered by a [[Kang's battle cruiser (2293)|Klingon battle cruiser]] commanded by [[Kang]]. While Sulu explained that the ''Excelsior'' was on a [[survey mission]], studying the nebula, and had gotten lost due to a malfunction in the [[navigation system]], Kang offered to escort the ''Excelsior'' back to Federation space. As the ''Excelsior'' emerged, she fired a modulated [[positron beam]] that triggered a thermochemical reaction, and successfully disabled Kang's ship.
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[[Image:USS Excelsior and Enterprise firing on Chang.jpg|thumb|Firing [[photon torpedo]]es on [[Chang's Bird-of-Prey]].]]
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[[File:USS Excelsior and Enterprise firing on Chang.jpg|thumb|Firing [[photon torpedo]]es on [[Chang's Bird-of-Prey]]]]
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The ''Excelsior'' then made a break for [[Qo'noS]], but was almost immediately intercepted by three [[K't'inga class|Klingon battle cruisers]]. The ''Excelsior'' and Klingon ships continued to exchange fire until the ''Excelsior'' was forced to retreat back to Federation space. ({{VOY|Flashback}})
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The ''Excelsior'' then made a break for [[Qo'noS]], but was almost immediately intercepted by three [[K't'inga class|Klingon battle cruisers]]. The ''Excelsior'' and Klingon ships continued to exchange fire until the ''Excelsior'' was forced to retreat back to Federation space. ({{VOY|Flashback}})
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Shortly thereafter, the ''Excelsior'' played a pivotalrole in assisting the USS ''Enterprise''-Ainthebattleat[[Khitomer]]against[[Chang's Bird-of-Prey]],and inpreventing the assassinationofthe [[Federation President]] at the [[KhitomerConference]]. ({{film|6}}; {{VOY|Flashback}})
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The ''Excelsior'' was viewed as a potentialparticipant in [[Operation Retrieve]] and would have worked alongside the {{USS|Eagle}} and the {{USS|Potemkin|NCC-1657}}. According to the plans, the ''Excelsior'' wouldhaveprovidedprotectionalongthe ''Potemkin''{{'}}s starboardflankas the lattershipretrieved the twoStarfleet officers. ({{film|6}})
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==Laterservice==
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Shortlythereafter, the ''Excelsior'' played a pivotal role in assisting the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-A|-A}} in the battle at [[Khitomer]] against [[Chang's Bird-of-Prey]], and in preventing the assassination of the [[Federation President]] at the [[Khitomer Conference]]. ({{film|6}}; {{VOY|Flashback}})
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In [[2370]], ''Excelsior'' was in service along the Federation's border with the [[Cardassian Union]]. In that year, it was assigned to help search for the missing {{USS|Hera}}. ({{TNG|Interface}})
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:''While there's no absolute proof that the ''Excelsior'' mentioned in "Interface" was the same ship but given the complete absence of any canon indications of the existence of another USS ''Excelsior'' or of this ship's retirement or destruction this is most likely a reference to the NCC-2000.''
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{{ExcelsiorClassStarships}}
==Appendices==
==Appendices==
Line 72:
Line 75:
The USS ''Excelsior'' was first designed for the production of ''Star Trek III'', after the review of several prototype [[studio model]] ideas. Built by [[ILM]], this highly detailed studio model was reused for many guest appearances until 1994 when it was refurbished to become the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B|-B}} and later the {{USS|Lakota}}. After that, a half-scale recreation was built for "Flashback," with minor differences – even though it was supposedly the same ship as seen earlier. For example, "Flashback" features the only appearances of the ship's warp [[nacelle]]s glowing, although the episode also incorporated footage from ''Star Trek VI'' in which the nacelle sides did not glow.
The USS ''Excelsior'' was first designed for the production of ''Star Trek III'', after the review of several prototype [[studio model]] ideas. Built by [[ILM]], this highly detailed studio model was reused for many guest appearances until 1994 when it was refurbished to become the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B|-B}} and later the {{USS|Lakota}}. After that, a half-scale recreation was built for "Flashback," with minor differences – even though it was supposedly the same ship as seen earlier. For example, "Flashback" features the only appearances of the ship's warp [[nacelle]]s glowing, although the episode also incorporated footage from ''Star Trek VI'' in which the nacelle sides did not glow.
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The ''Excelsior'''smotto,asseenonthe [[USS Excelsior dedication plaque|ship's dedication plaque]],was "''No matter where you go, there you are,''" a quotation taken from [[Buckaroo Banzai]].
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The modelisnowpartofScienceFictionArchives.com collections. [http://sciencefictionarchives.com/en/object/276/uss-enterprise-b-model-ncc-1701-b.htm]
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Inthe German dubbing of ''Star Trek III'' Uhura's line"''Would you look at that!''" was changedto(re-translated) "''Look at that: Thorndyke's idea!''"Thiscould provide insight into who was materialtothe creation of the ship. Done for lip-syncing purposes, common practice when dubbing episodes and movies, the name Thorndyke was introduced solely for this purpose and does not refer to any canonical figure in the ''Star Trek''universe.
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Theship's [[computervoice]] was suppliedby ''Trek'' star[[LeonardNimoy]], who was creditedasFrankForce.
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===Apocrypha===
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The ''Excelsior''{{'}}s motto, as seen on the [[USS Excelsior dedication plaque|ship's dedication plaque]], was "''No matter where you go, there you are,''" a quotation taken from ''[[Buckaroo Banzai]]''.
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According to the ''[[Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual]]'', there was a {{ShipClass|Constitution}} USS ''Excelsior'' in service in the mid-23rd century, with the registry NCC-1718.
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In the German dubbing of ''Star Trek III'' Uhura's line "''Would you look at that!''" was changed to (re-translated) "''Look at that: Thorndyke's idea!''" This could provide insight into who was material to the creation of the ship. Done for lip-syncing purposes, common practice when dubbing episodes and movies, the name Thorndyke was introduced solely for this purpose and does not refer to any canonical figure in the ''Star Trek'' universe.
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According to ''[[Star Trek - The Art of the Film]]'', a USS ''Excelsior'' (NCC-1729) was to be among the ships sent to the [[battle of Vulcan]]. It was to be a dark version of the {{USS|Armstrong|NCC-1769}}.
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According to the ''[[Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual]]'', there was also a {{ShipClass|Constitution}} USS ''Excelsior'' in service in the mid-23rd century, with the registry NCC-1718.
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===Apocrypha===
In the [[Pocket TOS]] novelizations of ''[[Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (novel)|Star Trek II]]'' and ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (novel)|Star Trek III]]'' by [[Vonda N. McIntyre]], it is stated that Hikaru Sulu helped design the ship and that, by the events of ''The Wrath of Khan'', he had already been named as the vessel's commanding officer. Apparently, his presence aboard the ''Enterprise'' at this time was solely as a courtesy to Kirk.
In the [[Pocket TOS]] novelizations of ''[[Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (novel)|Star Trek II]]'' and ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (novel)|Star Trek III]]'' by [[Vonda N. McIntyre]], it is stated that Hikaru Sulu helped design the ship and that, by the events of ''The Wrath of Khan'', he had already been named as the vessel's commanding officer. Apparently, his presence aboard the ''Enterprise'' at this time was solely as a courtesy to Kirk.
It is further explained that the arrogant Captain Styles was placed in temporary command by Fleet Admiral [[Harry Morrow|Morrow]] as part of an effort to sequester those with direct knowledge of Genesis and Starfleet's unwillingness to delay trial runs until the controversy subsided, due to the considerable investment in the ship's development.
It is further explained that the arrogant Captain Styles was placed in temporary command by Fleet Admiral [[Harry Morrow|Morrow]] as part of an effort to sequester those with direct knowledge of Genesis and Starfleet's unwillingness to delay trial runs until the controversy subsided, due to the considerable investment in the ship's development.
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Also, the novel ''[[The Sundered]]'' was set aboard ''Excelsior'' in [[2298]] with [[Pavel Chekov|Chekov]] as first officer, [[Christine Chapel]] as [[ChiefMedicalOfficer|CMO]], [[Leonard James Akaar]] as security chief, [[Janice Rand]] as communications officer and [[Tuvok]] as science officer.
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Also, the novel ''[[The Sundered]]'' was set aboard ''Excelsior'' in [[2298]] with [[Pavel Chekov|Chekov]] as first officer, [[Christine Chapel]] as [[chiefmedicalofficer]], [[Leonard James Akaar]] as security chief, [[Janice Rand]] as communications officer and [[Tuvok]] as science officer.
Designed under radically new principles of propulsion, the Excelsior had the potential for becoming the fastest starship in the entire Federation, as at that time, the Starfleet record for faster-than-light travel was warp factor 14.1, set by the USS Enterprise in 2269. (TOS: "That Which Survives")
The Excelsior's bridge, manned by the ship's commanding officer, Captain Styles, and other officers
By 2285, the Excelsior was under the command of CaptainStyles, and had taken a berth in Earth Spacedock as she was prepared for trial runs.
The Excelsior was days away from her first full field test of the transwarp drive, when she was unexpectedly called for duty. The crew of the USS Enterprise, attempting to rejoin CaptainSpock's katra with his regenerated body, hijacked the Enterprise for an illegal trip to the Genesis Planet.
The Excelsior sputters out, dead in space
Captain Styles, confident in his new "incredible machine," was ordered to pursue as the Enterprise entered warp, fleeing the system. However, Captain Montgomery Scott, assigned as captain of engineering aboard the Excelsior, had sabotaged the ship's transwarp computer, leaving the Excelsior dead in space. Proud of his accomplishment, Scott explained that "the more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain." (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
Following this embarrassing failure, the Excelsior essentially spent the next two years in spacedock. In 2286 she was briefly ordered to be launched during an apparent attack by an alien probe, but the Excelsior, as well as the spacedock, lost all internal power and was left stranded in her bay. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
After the Enterprise was destroyed at the Genesis Planet, Hikaru Sulu believed he and his Enterprise shipmates would be assigned to the Excelsior before learning their next assignment was the USS Enterprise-A. At the time, Montgomery Scott believed the Excelsior to be nothing more than a "bucket of bolts." (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Although never directly addressed, the only evidence that the Excelsior was a failure as a transwarp prototype can be found in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, which stated that "the attempt to surpass the primary warp field efficiency barrier with the Transwarp Development Project in the early 2280s proved unsuccessful...".
In addition, the Star Trek Chronology speculates that the reference made by Data in TNG: "Evolution" stating "there has not been a system-wide technological failure on a starship in seventy-nine years," may have been in reference to the failure of the transwarp drive.
According to a line cut from the script, the crew cataloged "fifty-four planets – and their gaseous atmospheric anomalies."
In 2293, as the Excelsior was returning to Federation space following the successful conclusion of her mission, she was struck by a powerful subspace shock wave caused by the destruction of the Klingonmoon, Praxis. Upon discovering the cause of the disaster, Sulu immediately contacted the Klingon High Command to offer his ship's assistance. The Klingons, however, turned the offer down, requesting that Sulu obey treaty stipulations and remain outside the Neutral Zone. Thereafter, Sulu reported the incident to Starfleet Command. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
Sulu, who attempted to sneak the Excelsior into Klingon territory by traversing the Azure Nebula, was discovered by a Klingon battle cruiser commanded by Kang. While Sulu explained that the Excelsior was on a survey mission, studying the nebula, and had gotten lost due to a malfunction in the navigation system, Kang offered to escort the Excelsior back to Federation space. As the Excelsior emerged, she fired a modulated positron beam that triggered a thermochemical reaction, and successfully disabled Kang's ship.
The Excelsior then made a break for Qo'noS, but was almost immediately intercepted by three Klingon battle cruisers. The Excelsior and Klingon ships continued to exchange fire until the Excelsior was forced to retreat back to Federation space. (VOY: "Flashback")
The Excelsior was viewed as a potential participant in Operation Retrieve and would have worked alongside the USS Eagle and the USS Potemkin. According to the plans, the Excelsior would have provided protection along the Potemkin's starboard flank as the latter ship retrieved the two Starfleet officers. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
The USS Excelsior was first designed for the production of Star Trek III, after the review of several prototype studio model ideas. Built by ILM, this highly detailed studio model was reused for many guest appearances until 1994 when it was refurbished to become the USS Enterprise-B and later the USS Lakota. After that, a half-scale recreation was built for "Flashback," with minor differences – even though it was supposedly the same ship as seen earlier. For example, "Flashback" features the only appearances of the ship's warp nacelles glowing, although the episode also incorporated footage from Star Trek VI in which the nacelle sides did not glow.
The model is now part of ScienceFictionArchives.com collections. [1]
In the German dubbing of Star Trek III Uhura's line "Would you look at that!" was changed to (re-translated) "Look at that: Thorndyke's idea!" This could provide insight into who was material to the creation of the ship. Done for lip-syncing purposes, common practice when dubbing episodes and movies, the name Thorndyke was introduced solely for this purpose and does not refer to any canonical figure in the Star Trek universe.
In the Pocket TOS novelizations of Star Trek II and Star Trek III by Vonda N. McIntyre, it is stated that Hikaru Sulu helped design the ship and that, by the events of The Wrath of Khan, he had already been named as the vessel's commanding officer. Apparently, his presence aboard the Enterprise at this time was solely as a courtesy to Kirk.
It is further explained that the arrogant Captain Styles was placed in temporary command by Fleet Admiral Morrow as part of an effort to sequester those with direct knowledge of Genesis and Starfleet's unwillingness to delay trial runs until the controversy subsided, due to the considerable investment in the ship's development.
This is a featured article. At the time it was featured (April 2008) it was considered one of the best examples of the Memory Alpha community's work. Even so, if you see a way this page can be improved even further, we invite you to contribute. Please also check the links below to see how the article has changed since it was featured more than two years ago.Featured revision (815595) • Diff to current • Blurb
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