USS Enterprise wasn't the only starship of its class active in Star Trek: The Original Series. Commanded by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), the Starship Enterprise is the most storied legacy in Starfleet. Much of the Enterprise's legend was forged by Captain Kirk's historic five-year mission, which was chronicled in the three seasons of Star Trek: The Original Series. But Enterprise wasn't the lone Constitution Class starship in operation by 23rd-century Starfleet.
Starfleet's Constitution Class heavy cruiser was designed for deep space exploration and patrol missions. Constitution Class starships like the USS Enterprise, which launched in 2245, could operate for five-year mission cycles and required minimal support from Starfleet for its 400-person crew complement. Enterprise was equipped with duotronic computers designed by Dr. Richard Daystrom (William Marshall). Capable of defense and protection missions, the Constitution Class was armed with phaser banks and photon torpedoes.
Starfleet Had 12 More Ships Like USS Enterprise During Star Trek: The Original Series
Constitution Class Was A Starfleet Baker's Dozen
The USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series wasn't a unique vessel, as 23rd-century Starfleet operated a small armada of Constitution Class starships. This was confirmed in Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episode 19, "Tomorrow is Yesterday." After time-traveling to 1960s Earth, a United States Air Force pilot named Captain John Christopher (Roger Perry) came aboard the Enterprise. Regarding his starship, Captain Kirk told Christopher, "There are only 12 like it in the fleet."
Only a few of the 13 Constitution Class starships were seen in Star Trek besides the USS Enterprise. The Constitution Class USS Defiant was nearly identical to Enterprise and accidentally traveled to the 22nd-century Mirror Universe. The USS Constellation, under the command of Commodore Matt Decker (William Windom), was destroyed by a planet-killer doomsday machine robot. Commanded by Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano), the USS Cayuga was destroyed by the Gorn in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
USS Enterprise & Constitution Class Is Star Trek's Signature Ship Design
Enterprise Is One Of Science Fiction & Pop Culture's Most Recognizable Space Ships
With its saucer section and sweeping twin nacelles, the Constitution Class USS Enterprise is not only the signature starship design in Star Trek, but it's also one of the most recognizable in pop culture. Walter "Matt" Jeffries designed the original model of the USS Enterprise for Star Trek, and it's a work of genius. In profile, Enterprise takes the shape of a bird in flight, and it's perhaps the most easily identifiable icon of Star Trek.
Star Trek: The Original Series didn't have the VFX to assemble all 13 Constitution Class starships as an armada.
Despite myriad variations, nearly every starship design in Star Trek is based on the Constitution Class USS Enterprise. Nacelle size, number, and saucer configuration can vary, but most Star Trek ships maintain Enterprise's general saucer and nacelle design. Star Trek: The Original Series didn't have the VFX to assemble all 13 Constitution Class starships as an armada, but that would have been an impressive sight to behold.
