Exploration: Cruiser, Medium - Victoria-class

History And Mission Overview

At the end of the Dominion War, Starfleet command was forced to deal with the consequences from the years of war, conflict, and skirmishes; Starfleet Defense was left in all but ruins. However, the conclusion of this major war brought peace for the time being, so the task of rebuilding became the foremost concern of Starfleet command.

The diminished defenses increased the risk of infiltration from Breen, Romulans, Sheliak, and similar species; Starfleet required ships that were capable while easily produced yet adhered to the principles of exploration and versatility that made the Federation what it is, such as the Intrepid and the Kearsarge. Star-fleet R&D opened the contract for new designs to it’s closed network of independents, which included the newly formed Green Council, Intergalactic (better known as GCI). GCI contributed the Victoria, designed to incorporate the best features from several designs into a compact, self-sufficient ship.

The Victoria, as proposed by GCI’s starship R&D, is essence of versatility. Armed for defense, but designed for long range diplomatic, research, and exploratory missions, primary mission profiles include:

Long range, Deep Space Exploration

Short range exploration and investigation

Scientific Research and Evaluation

Diplomatic Missions

First Contact

In addition to the above, the Victoria class is well-equipped for these secondary mission types:

Federation Defense

On-site Fleet Command Center

Combat Support Vehicle

Structure And Construction

One major change from most starship designs is the lack of a “neck” connecting what would be the primary and secondary hulls. Instead, the Victoria uses a unified, sectionless frame. This frame, composed of the standard tritanium alloys, positions the aft portion aligned just below center of the thicker fore portion on it’s Z-Axis. This unified frame increases the amount of useable internal space and allows the structural integrity field to distribute stress over a stronger, more durable design.

Six decks span the length of the ship because of this design, and the navigational deflector and main sensor array are located at the fore.

The standard duranium/tritanium alloys compose the outer hull of the ship as well. These alloys are layered in 5cm widths for a 6 meter total thickness along the entire hull. A thin ablative armor finishes the starship form for maximum protection.

The greater portion of the ship is noticeably the forward portion at about 60% of entire length. The reason for this is to localize just about everything on board, decreasing the amount of on ship travel time to any location; the saucer is also about 50% thicker than the aft portion. The aft portion localizes all of the engineering and maintenance aspect of ship’s systems.

A tried and true twin nacelle setup converts power into motion for the Victoria class. These variable-geometry nacelles extend 30 meters from the hull to protect the ship, and during impulse flight the nacelles pull together and retract 10 meters closer to the ship to slightly improve the sub-c maneuverability and decrease the overall size. During Warp travel, the arms extend and swing back up into position. In this manner they are like the nacelle setup on the Intrepid class.

Another notable difference from most ships is that almost every part of the ship is tied into the main spaceframe, excluding the captain’s yacht and the bridge module, which is locate at the fore of Deck 2 instead of the more common bulge from the top of deck 1. This better protects the bridge from attack and makes the ship a sleeker, better spatial-dynamic design. In order to replace a bridge, however, another module would have to be created to the specifications, as it is not standard starship configuration.

Science And Remote Sensing Systems

Sensor Systems

To encompass the many tasks expected from this class, a full class VIII sensor package was installed. This package incorporates sensor arrays of all types to allow the Victoria to perform any task needed.

Also, the ship allots 50 of it’s 175 torpedo casing complement for use as probes unless a combat situation is expected. The equipment to create all available probes are available on board.

Computer Systems

The Starfleet budget allowed for implementation of a standard isolinear computer core supplemented with a state of the art bio-neural system. The ship incorporates two of the latest Starfleet Mk 10 computer cores, located port/starboard spanning decks 3-5. As required by Starfleet, each core is capable of running the ship should the other fail.

In addition, a bioneural processing cluster is located on deck six and used specifically for processing central command applications during fleet command situations. At all other times, it is used by the science and medical labs, and is linked to the computer cores to access data.

Warp Propulsion Systems

Starfleet utilized GCI’s Propulsion Division for it’s power and propulsion needs. GCI designers decided against a quad nacelle design because the added mass would affect sublight maneuverability. They still wanted to stay top of the line, however, so along with the starship design they submitted two of their newly developed PN-101 Variable Geometry Nacelles. These nacelles contain more, thinner coils than a standard nacelle design to provide faster responses and overall better performance in the same amount of space.

The warp power system runs off of a Starfleet standard warp core, rated at 1548 cochranes. The ship features a cruising speed of warp 7, a maximum sustainable speed of warp 8 and a maximum velocity of warp 9.8.

Impulse Propulsion Systems

Along with their warp drive, GCI Propulsion sent in designs for their latest ID-6000 series Impulse Engine System. There are four such systems on the Victoria class, two sets of two. They are located on the port/starboard sides where the fore portion tapers into the aft portion on Deck 7. Each set is powered by standard fusion reactors. The maximum impulse speed available for the ship is .25c

Tactical Systems

Defensive Shields

Primary defense is the standard Starfleet graviton shielding. Grids are spread across the hull at strategic points for complete and even coverage. The shields are capable of dissipating 4.6 x 10^5 kW of energy at a continuous 1680 mW graviton load.

Phaser Systems

Because of the Victoria class’ physically smaller size compared to most cruisers, and the fact that she is not intended solely for combat, R&D chose to use several type IX arrays. The thick foreward portion sports two dorsal and two ventral type IX arrays lining the port and starboard sides. One dorsal type VIII stretches fore to aft along the spine from the back of the fore portion to the aft tail in the center of the ship. Another array stretches port-startboard on the ventral side of the aft section. These 6 arrays allow for complete coverage with no blind spots.

Torpedo Systems

There are two torpedo systems on the Victoria class cruiser. The forward facing Torpedo tube 1 is located on Deck 8 with feed from deck 9 on the foremost point. Torpedo tube 2 is located on deck 8, above the shuttle bay at the aftmost point of the ship, feeding from storage on deck 9. With prolonged combat not being a primary mission, additional torpedo tubes were not deemed necessary for a design this small.

Command And Support Systems

Main Bridge

The Main Bridge, unlike most starship designs, is not a standard swappable module. Instead it is set at the fore of deck 2. Main entrance to the bridge is provided by two turbolifts at the back, one on each side. Between those is the entrance to the large conference room, and the Ready Room is accessed from a door at the fore of the bridge, on the port side. On the starboard wall just outside the turbolift is a Jefferies Tube hatch allowing access or escape to or from the bridge to the jefferies tube system.

Near the aft of the bridge centered between the port and starboard sides, the Captain’s chair find it’s home. The Captain’s seat pivots 180 degrees, giving full view of the bridge. It includes a mini-console set in the arms allowing the CO computer access and control. Seats for the first and second officers each are set in front of a console capable of mimicing any other on the bridge, or a combination. The three commands chairs are risen above the bridge on a plateau.

Stepping down, on the port side, Tactical (Tac) and Communications (Comm) stations line the wall. The Tactical station is primarily on the port wall, but it extends slightly into the bridge, in an L shape, to allow the duty officer to face foreward when necessary. Comm, aft of Tac, faces port and all consoles are on the wall. Navigation has a standalone console on the centerline, a few feet away from the viewscreen.

Opposite them, A longer line of stations line the wall and sweep out into the fore of the bridge. These stations include Science, Engineering, and Operations(Ops). This bridge setup is designed to divide the more essential combat and fleet command stations such as Tactical, Communications, and Navigation from the more “day to day” stations of Science, Engineering, and Ops. It is assumed Ops and Nav are used during any situations, and so those stations are forward and nearer the centerline. This setup allows the Captain or Officer on Duty to survey the entire bridge, without having to look aft for information.

The bridge is also equipped with several holoprojectors, allowing the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH) to perform on the bridge. In large battle situations, the holoprojectors are capable of reproducing the surrounding area in detail (much the same as in stellar cartography) giving a large, detailed 3-dimensional view of the battle using continuous sensor data. This perspective allows for better visual coordination of fleet movement and strategy. In these situations, the bridge, the command center of the ship, becomes an on-site fleet coordination and command center with up-to date, accurate, and real-time information allowing for faster planning and more strategic decision making. This holographic display fills the open center of the bridge behind the Navigation and Operations stations.

Officer and VIP Quarters

Located behind the bridge and conference room are the Senior Officer’s quarters. The quarters are slightly smaller than normal, for space conservation, but the difference is hardly noticable. Each of the quarters still allows for a living area, a sleeping area with small bath and restroom, and small personal office. Below, on deck 3, four VIP quarters allow the Victoria Class to host guests and perform diplomatic missions and diplomatic escort. Two of the four allow for custom environments. In addition, the isolinear computer cores begin on this deck, and span to deck 7. Four Emergency Batteries are located on the outer edges of this deck for emergency power.

Utility Systems

Cargo Bays

There are two large cargo bays and eight smaller bays located on decks 10 and 11. The larger Primary cargo bays are located just behind the large shuttle bay and are accessible from there as well through large access doors. They are directly across from each other, and span both decks using 26 meters of length each. Both bays have a cargo transporter.

The eight secondary cargo bays are empty space, intended for store space for extended missions. They are one deck thick and 13 meters in length. Each of the four bays on deck 10 are capable of sustaining a separate and unique environment. Two artificial graviton generators also allow for a custom gravity strength as well. The four lower bays can be utilized as auxiliary scientific or medical labs and locations using “roll-away’ terminals capable of complete customization and wireless access to the computer system.

Tractor Beam Systems

A small tractor emitter is located aft on the engineering hull above the shuttle bay door. It is mainly used for light towing, or large object manipulation. Access is granted through a hatch located on a walkway in the shuttlebay.

Transporter Systems

In addition to the cargo transporters, there are two sets of personnel transporters. Transport Room 1 is located on deck six in the fore portion. Transport Room 2 is located in the aft portion on the same deck. Each transporter is an eight person capacity transporter with an emergency mode. Emergency mode puts the transporters into a low power, scan-only state that allows for quick beam-out. Personnel are unable to beam up while in this mode.

Crew Support Systems

Crew Quarters

Crew quarters are on decks 7 through 9 and span most of the fore section on those decks. The quarters are smaller than standard, allowing for a comfortable living/sleeping area and a wash/rest room. Several larger quarters are available for families on deck 9. This configuration allows for a crew compliment of 400 including the command staff.

Holographic Systems

Deck four, other than the computer cores is utilized as a recreation deck. Facilities include one holodeck, which spans up to deck 3, and four single room Holosuites.

Recreation Systems and Four-Fore

Deck four also houses an exercise and training facility and four-fore, a small crew lounge. Four-fore contains a small bar and a food replication system, as well as store space which can be utilized as a standard kitchen in emergencies. Maximum capacity is 60 people.

Science Facilities

The last four decks of the ship, decks 10 through 13, are utilized for the science and medical labs with the exception of the navigational deflector. There is a large main Science Lab on Deck 10 as well as a full compliment of science labs, including an extensive stellar cartography lab as exploration is intended to be one of its primary missions.

The lower two decks consist of a large arboretum and hydroponics area, and related storage and auxiliary science labs.

Medical Facilites

On deck 11, two extensive Sickbays, main and auxiliary, are located at the fore and aft of the deck, respectively. Medical and Biological laboratories scatter the rest of the deck including a small, basic marine lab, anthropology, biology, and biochemistry. The wide range of labs in both Medicine and Sciences enables the Victoria to perform preliminary investigation and research on any situation or phenomenon encountered.

The EMH Mk IV is equipped on the Victoria. It is limited to the bridge, both sickbays, Main Engineering, and the holodecks. No other part of the ship contains the necessary holoprojectors.

Auxiliary Spacecraft Systems

Shuttle Bay

One large shuttle bay fills the auxiliary requirements of the ship, located At the aftmost point of decks 9 and 10. Access to the ship interior from the bay is gained from doors on deck 10 directly to the flight deck, or by door leading from the control booth overlooking the bay on deck 9 the control booth has elevator access to the bay. Shuttle elevators allows access to a hangar which allows storage for three shuttle sized craft, four worker craft, or a combination. In general, one worker bee is stored in the hangar and two type nine shuttlecraft.

Captain’s Yacht

As stated above, the bridge is located on Deck 2. Deck 1 is home to the Captain’s Yacht. Access to it is granted through the bridge turbolifts, which open into an airlock that grants access to the craft. The Yacht was built to fit flush with the hull, which means it is slightly elongated and slightly wider than other yachts, that bulge out.

To save space and because the yacht is used for diplomatic or escape purposes, it is also the Captain’s Quarters and separated by a wall is his bedroom and bath. The outer living area is furnished to entertain VIP’s, and includes an office desk with a customizable interface set into a portion of it. Also included in this main room is two chairs and a couch surrounding a low meeting table with four terminals. The fore contains the small cockpit area, including a pilot and co-pilot seat and all related controls and displays. The area is a step down from the rest of the yacht, visually separating it from the room. In front of the cockpit, a wide, picture window gives a full, undivided view of space in front. Along with the two windows on opposite sides, this picture window also provides a spectacular observation view of space for the captain and visitors.

Two crewmen serve pilot duty when the yacht is deployed. Each crewmen is expected to be able to serve as service personnel if needed when not actively piloting. A small pilot bunk area is underneath the living/meeting area and access is through a hatch in the cockpit. Engineering access is gained through hatches in the cockpit for sensor, computer, forward thruster and structural assemblies, and in the aft of the meeting area for structural, aft thruster, microfusion generators and drivers, and power assemblies.

Underneath the Captain’s quarters and part of the main room, six microfusion reactors provide impulse thrust and power needs for the yacht capable of propelling the vehicle at .22c. The yacht is also capable of landing on a planetary body, with an atmospheric cruising speed of mach 6. Four landing feet extend so the vessel can rest.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Structure

Length

325.2 meters

Beam (Width)

161.5 meters

Height

65 meters

Decks

13

Crew Complement

Officers and Crew

400

Visiting Personnel

20

Maximum Evacuation Limit

4,000

Computer Systems

Core

Isolinear data core x2 supplemented with a bioneural system

Operating System

Starfleet Library Computer Access and Retrieval System (LCARS)

Warp Systems

Power Plant

One 1548 cochrane M/ARA cores feeding four nacelles

Cruising Velocity

Warp 7

Maximum Sustainable Velocity

Warp 9

Maximum Velocity

Warp 9.8 (12 hours)

Impulse Systems

Full Impulse

0.25c

Defensive Systems

Shield Maximum Graviton Load (Continuous)

1680 MegaWatts

Shield Maximum Energy Dissipation Rate

4.6 x 10^5 kilowatts

Offensive Systems

Torpedoes

Torpedo Tubes

2

Standard Payload (total)

175 photon torpedo casings

Phasers

4 Type-IX Phaser Strips
2 Type-VIII Phaser Strips

Deck Layout

Deck 1

Captain’s Yacht (CO’s Quarters)

Deck 2

Main Bridge, Ready Room, Conference Room
XO’s quarters
Senior Officer’s Quarters

Deck 3

VIP Quarters, Guest Quarters
Begin Computer Cores
Holodeck 1 begins
Holosuites 1 and 2

Deck 4

Four-Fore Lounge
Holodeck 1 ends (Entrance located here)
Holosuites 3 and 4
Exercise and Recreation areas

Deck 5

Crew Quarters

Deck 6

Primary and Secondary Transporters
Begin Duranium storage
Crew Quarters

Deck 7

Crew Quarters
Begin Main Engineering
End Dueterium Storage, Begin Warp Core with Dueterium Injection Assembly
Port/Starboard Impulse Engines
End Computer Cores

Deck 8

Crew Quarters
Aux Engineering, Engineering labs, part storage
End Main Engineering (Main Entrance here)
Warp Core Continues
Torpedo Tubes 1 and 2 (aft facing)
Begin Navigational Deflector
Main Sensor and Communication arrays, Navigational array

Deck 9

Crew Quarters, Family Quarters
End Navigational Deflector, Access point here.
Warp Core Continues
Begin Shuttle Bay
Feed for Torpedo Tube 2

Deck 10

Begin larger Cargo Bays
Four Smaller Cargo Bays (Environmental and Gravitational customization capabilities)
End Shuttle Bay
Main Science lab, Specialized Labs (Stellar Cartography, Astrophysics, et al)
Torpedo Tube 1 and feed (forward facing)
Begin Anti-Dueterium Storage and Anti-Matter Injectors, end warp core

Deck 11

End larger Cargo Bays
Four Smaller Cargo Bays
Shuttle Hangar
End Anti-Dueterium Storage
Main Sickbay (fore), Aux Sickbay(aft), Medical Labs (Biology, Biochemistry, etc)

Deck 12

Begin Hydroponics and Arboretums

Deck 13

End Hydroponics and Arboretums, associated research facilities.

Ships Of The Class

Ships were named for Ferdinand Magellan and his expedition circumnavigating the planet earth. The class and it’s class ship were both named for the primary and only surviving vessel used in that expedition.

USS Victoria, NCC-101000 [Class Ship]
USS Ferdinand Magellan, NCC-101001
USS Pigafetta, NCC-101002
USS Trinidad, NCC-101003
USS Juan Elcano, NCC-101004
USS Enrique, NCC-101005
USS Concepcion, NCC-101006
USS Santiago, NCC-101007
USS San Antonio, NCC-101008
USS Mar Pacifico, NCC-101009

Conclusion

The Victoria class is designed to handle long term exploration missions in deep an unexplored portions of the Universe as well as be rounded enough to handle any situation that comes along, remaining versatile enough to fulfill the many obligations required from a starfleet vessal.

It is GCI and Starfleet’s hope that this design and ships of this class will allow the Federation to finally return to it’s original mission after many long years of continous war, and “to boldly go where no man has gone before”.

Reference Images

The following visual representations of the Victoria class are available

Bridge Layout

Outline