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The Galaxy Class
History
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The Galaxy class starship was built in order to fulfill the need for a bigger, faster more powerful addition to Star Fleet. It would provide protection for the Federation, but also be able to carry out the functions of an exploration and science vessel. The First Designs were approved and the first three ships constructed proved to be exemplary. The second of these three ships, the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D, made quite a name for itself throughout the galaxy and is still the most famous of this class of starship. The biggest need to refit these vessels was after the encounter with the Borg. Previously they had been outfitted with the X type phaser banks and regular Photon Torpedo tubes: one fore and one aft. The shields and sensors had been built to deal with the normal needs of space exploration and encounters with hostile species. After the encounter with the Borg
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Star Fleet realized the need to upgrade the Galaxy class. At that time it was the most sophisticated and powerful starship in the fleet and yet it was not able to defend the Federation against this new threat. Short term modifications on the weapons and shields were made and the Federation the federation was able to deal with the first Borg threat. After the Borg threat had been dealt with the Federation spent the next four years rebuilding the fleet. The next hostile encounter involved a close confederation of species under the power and control of a race called the Founders. These were the Dominion: a people that seamed bent on destroying anyone who did not submit to their power. Star Fleet during this time began a massive refit of the Galaxy class: upgrading their phasers, torpedoes, sensors and shields.
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One of the biggest technological achievements was the Quantum Torpedo. This Torpedo was three times as powerful as the Photon Torpedo and was easily integrated into the Galaxy class starship. Another technological leap was achieved when the Federation invented a Torpedo that could be guided by computer to its target. It was even able to be installed in many of the smaller types of vessels. The Shields were also able to be Upgraded to last longer and have a higher recharge rate. Star Fleet incorporated shield newtation into the Galaxy class enabling them to with-stand the Dominion weapons. Structurally the Galaxy was fitted with many more Phaser Banks - including a pair on their warp nacelles. After the Federation proved themselves against the Dominion and the Borg, they were able to expand their territory into the Delta Quadrant. Although the Galaxy class is no-longer the mainstay of the Fleet, It is still one of the most powerful ships of the fleet enabling it to be more than capable of ‘seeking out new life and new civilizations and boldly go where no man has ever gone before.’