The Size of the Original Starship Enterprise: An In-Depth Analysis

Whenever discussing the iconic USS Enterprise from the Star Trek universe, the question of its size often arises. The original Constitution-class starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) has been the subject of much debate and discussion among fans and experts alike. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the dimensions and displacement of the original Enterprise, covering all the variations and providing both official and fan-based dimensions.

Understanding the Enterprise's Dimensions

To truly appreciate the size of the original USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), one must compare it to more familiar and tangible objects. An aircraft carrier serves as a useful comparison for its impressive scale. Imagine a structure nearly twice the length of a standard football field, with a beam (width) that dwarfs conventional naval vessels.

According to the Star Trek Technical Manual, the displacement of the Constellation Class starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701 is approximately 170,000 tons. This figure gives us a substantial starting point for understanding the scale of this vessel.

The Variations in Enterprise Designs

While the original NCC-1701 is the most well-known and widely recognized design, the Star Trek universe features a multitude of Enterprise variations across different timelines and series. Below is a detailed breakdown of the dimensions across different incarnations of the ship:

Enterprise NX-01

The first official Star Trek: Enterprisethe flagship of the first Starfleetis set in the mid-22nd century. Its dimensions are relatively small by Starfleet standards, measuring:

Length: 171 meters Beam: 121 meters Draft: 41 meters

NCC-1701 of TOS (The Original Series)

As the original ship from Star Trek: The Original Series, NCC-1701 proved to be a formidable vessel. Its measurements include:

Length: 225 meters Beam: 131.4 meters Draft: 34 meters

NCC-1701 of the Movies (Original Films)

The Enterprise featured in the first three Star Trek films was essentially a refitted and enlarged version of NCC-1701. Its dimensions are:

Length: 288.6 meters Beam: 127.1 meters Draft: 71.6 meters

NCC-1701-A and B

The NCC-1701-A was an enlarged version of the original NCC-1701, with a modified Excelsior-class design. The NCC-1701-B was an even larger ship, with increased beam and possibly a more spacious interior:

Length: 304.5 meters Beam: 141.7 meters Draft: 72.3 meters

NCC-1701-C

While NCC-1701-C was reportedly smaller in length, it may have had more internal volume:

Length: 304.5 meters (or slightly less) Beam: 141.7 meters Draft: 72.3 meters

NCC-1701-D

NCC-1701-D was the largest of the aforementioned ships, being the Galaxy-class design, though not necessarily longer than the Excelsior-class NCC-1701-B:

Length: 455.8 meters Beam: 167.9 meters Draft: 77.4 meters

NCC-1701-E (ARDU)

The final iteration of NCC-1701 in the 'classic' Trek universe was the largest, following extensive modifications:

Length: 526.3 meters Beam: 399.9 meters Draft: 131.1 meters

The Abrams Renaissance

The Enterprise in the Abrams universe, often referred to as the improved NCC-1701, stands as a much larger design:

Length: 641.8 meters Beam: 466.3 meters Draft: 138.4 meters

These dimensions are based on fan interpretations from various sources, including detailed schematics and official data where available. It's important to note that the Abrams-featured NCC-1701 isn't often compared to its 'classic' Trek universe counterparts, as the film series took a unique approach to both the ship and the overall universe.

NCC-1701 of SNW

The NCC-1701 featured in the Shiite New World (SNW) series seems to fall between the lengths of TOS's NCC-1701 and the first few film iterations:

Length: 685 meters Beam: 234 meters Draft: 88 meters

It's worth noting that SNW goes to great lengths to create its versions of the ships, incorporating various elements and interpretations from different Star Trek sources, making the official data less straightforward.

Conclusion

The size of the original Starship Enterprise varies significantly across different versions and timelines, reflecting the evolving nature of the Star Trek universe. While these figures are subject to interpretation and can vary depending on the source, they provide a clearer picture of the vast scale and engineering prowess of this iconic vessel.

References

For more detailed information and official schematics, visit the site that lists various schematics for many of the ships from the Star Trek franchise.