| STARSHIP CLASS | |
| Ambassador | |
| |
| Type: | heavy cruiser |
| Length: | 526 m |
| Beam: | 325 m |
| Draft: | 124 m |
| Armaments: | 10-11 phaser emitters; 2 photon torpedo launchers |
| Defenses: | Deflector shields |
| |
The Ambassador class is a type of Starfleet starship, heavy cruiser in nature, first utilized in the mid 24th century. (TNG: "Conspiracy")
History[]
Construction on the USS Ambassador started in the early 24th century. The lead ship and prototype underwent testbed trials near Helaspont Station and Tzenkethi territory in 2319, then was commissioned in 2322. (Star Trek: The Lost Era novel: One Constant Star)
The USS Enterprise-C will go down in history as one of the most famous Ambassador-class starships. In 2344, the Enterprise fought four Romulan warbirds at Narendra III, a Klingon colony. Enterprise Captain Rachel Garrett sacrificed herself and her crew in the attempt to defend the colony: an action the Klingon High Council felt was honorable. With that action, the Klingon Empire ended hostile actions against the Federation, reaching a peace agreement in 2352. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")
The Ambassador-class starship has been an asset to Starfleet, participating in battles against the Romulans, Borg and Dominion. (DS9: "Emissary", "You Are Cordially Invited")
Technical data[]
With the typical saucer section-stardrive section-warp nacelles configuration, the Ambassador class was a follow-on from the Excelsior-class and a design that inspired the Galaxy-class. Phasers and photon torpedoes could be fired in arcs from the saucer and stardrive sections. Like most starships of its era, the Ambassador-class starship typically utilized early LCARS systems with flat-panel stations. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")
Crewmembers could have their family members move aboard after six months' service aboard the ship. (TNG: "Second Chances")
Refits[]
The Ambassador-class starship, much like any other Starfleet ship, has undergone minor interior and exterior alterations from the original design over the years. These include:
- Shifting the saucer section slightly aft;
- Shifting the nacelle pylon assembly aft the same distance;
- Adding new impulse engines (reflected through the change from blue to red glow);
- Upgrading the lower sensor dome;
- Modifying the deflector dish;
- Widening the shuttlebay;
- Adding a secondary shuttlebay on the stardrive section's aft'; and
- Upgrading to a modern LCARS system. (TNG: "Data's Day", "Redemption II"; DS9: "Emissary")
Interior[]
Main Bridge[]
The command bridge of an Ambassador-class starship
Like most starships, the bridge was located on the Ambassador-class starship's top of the saucer section. In 2344, the commanding officer had his or her captain's chair in the bridge's center, with tactical and helm forward on either side. The viewscreen was on the forward wall with a console directly below it. Ops, engineering and science stations stood amongst the aft bridge stations. Access to the bridge was gained through two access ways on the port and starboard sides of the bridge, respectively. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")
See also[]
External links[]
- Ambassador class article at Memory Alpha, the canon Star Trek wiki.
- Ambassador class article at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek wiki.