(covers information from several alternate timelines)
The Antares class cruiser was a type of starship operated by civilians, sometimes independently, in and around the United Federation of Planets, and by the Petarians.
History
The Antares class was a warp-capable freighter that was in operation from Earth as early as the 22nd century, and continued to be in service through the mid-24th century, with some being constructed at the Luna Shipyards.
In an alternate 2165 this type of vessel was included in the Earth convoy destined to settle on Ceti Alpha V. (ENT: "Twilight")
Technical data
These vessels could operate with a crew ranging from two to twelve. (TNG: "Legacy"; DS9: "The Passenger")
Ships of the class were protected by standard deflector shields. (DS9: "The Passenger")
Some with equipped with antiquated Mark V transporters. (DS9: "Family Business")
They also carried at least one escape pod. (TNG-R: "Legacy")
The Antares class was capable of hauling a variety of freight, including deuridium, inertium ore, unstable biomatter, duridium ore, and dilithium. (DS9: "The Passenger", "Family Business", "The Adversary"; VOY: "Author, Author") In addition, crews could also haul various types of supplies (like medical supplies) and material stipulated by contract. (DS9: "For the Cause")
Physical arrangement
Interior design
Bridge
Ships of the class
- Named
- Unnamed
- Uncertain
Appendices
Appearances
- TNG:
- "Legacy" (remastered)
- "Unification I" (first appearance)
- DS9:
- VOY: "Author, Author"
- ENT: "Twilight"
Background information
The Antares -class designation as established for the SS Xhosa, was, according to Mike Okuda, meant as a homage to the Antares (NCC-501), referenced to in the Star Trek: The Original Series first season episode "Charlie X", further elaborated upon in all the interior details, the TOS style consoles and the SS Xhosa dedication plaque. [3]
The studio model of the Xhosa was a repainted reuse of the Norkova from "The Passenger". The Talarian freighter was first identified in the Star Trek Encyclopedia (? ed., p. ?) as an Antares-class ship, the Xhosa was identified as such on her dedication plaque, suggesting both designs might be variants of the same class. For further information on the studio model, see Batris model.