USS Grissom

There have been two Federation starships known to bear the name USS Grissom.

USS Grissom (NCC-638)

File:USS Grissom attacked.jpg

USS Grissom attacked by a Bird-of-Prey.

The first starship Grissom was an Oberth-class surveyor in service during the late 23rd century.

The ship was commanded by Captain J.T. Esteban. In 2285, the Grissom was assigned to perform a clandestine survey of the Genesis Planet, with Genesis scientist David Marcus and Lieutenant Saavik aboard as consultants.

Shortly after discovering Spock's regenerated body on the planet, the Grissom was destroyed by a rogue Klingon Bird-of-Prey, with all hands lost. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

See also: List of USS Grissom personnel.

USS Grissom (NCC-42857)

The second starship Grissom was an Excelsior-class cruiser in service in the 24th century. In 2366, the Grissom was assigned near the Sigma Eridani system. (TNG: "The Most Toys")

Lieutenant Chu'lak was assigned to the Grissom in 2365. In 2375, the Grissom was destroyed at the Battle of Ricktor Prime during the Dominion War, with the loss of all but six officers out of a crew of 1250. (DS9: "Field of Fire")

The Grissom was referenced only in dialogue in "The Most Toys," the information about its class and registry are derived only from background sources. The only canonical mentions of the vessels specifics are derived from background information such as the Starship Mission Status chart seen in TNG Season 4. It seems odd that an Excelsior-class starship would have such a large crew, although many speculate that the vessels, during wartime, would berth additional troops and fighting crewmembers.

While not strictly canon, the Grissom was mentioned as playing a central role in the life of Mackenzie Calhoun in Pocket Books' Star Trek: New Frontier series of novels written by Peter David. The story of the ship's disastrous Prime Directive violation and loss of its captain, Norman Kenyon, in 2371, is told in the novel Once Burned. While the studio doesn't usually recognize the events of licensed sources such as novels as canon, this story does not contradict any of the history established in this vessel's filmed mentions.

The Grissom was named for Gus Grissom, an American astronaut killed during an accidental spacecraft fire in 1967.