Gap between the decommissioning of the NX-01 and launch of the NCC-1701

[FlipORican]

I was watching the Star Trek Enterprise finale the other day and realized...if the NX-01 was launched in 2151 and decommissioned in 2161 (around the same time as the founding of the Federation), then when was the next Starfleet starship to bear the name Enterprise launched. Well, as it turns out the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701 was not launched until 2245 under the command of Robert April, so there is a gap of 84 years. Thus, I can only surmise that there would have been 3 to 5 more starship classes to bear the name, depending on how long Starfleet would want to keep a starship class in service and whether of not the starship was destroyed before being placed out of service.

The NX-01 Enterprise was retired after approximately 10 years of service. However, it was probably refitted instead, since there's also a picture of a refitted version of the NX on the internet that I have come across. Thus, assuming they refitted the NX, how much longer would of it remained in service and who was its captain?

Also, this leaves room for more prequel TV shows of the Original Series as there would also be no reason Starfleet would not assign the name Enterprise to a new starship between 2161 and 2245. Has this ever been addressed? Are there canon or non-canon material about an Enterprise between the NX Class and the Constitution Class?

One final observation about the final episode of Star Trek Enterprise, over the course years from the last episode 'Terra Prime' to the finale, which was about 6 years, why was Reed still only a Lieutenant and Mayweather and Hoshi still Ensigns? It's hard to believe that with all they have done for Starfleet, Archer would of neglected to promote them. And yeah I know after seven years Harry Kim came back to Earth as only an Ensign, considering that Reed came up with the new Tactical Alert protocol and Hoshi helped further developed the universal translator, they undoubtedly would of earned a promotion. What's your thoughts on that?

 

[Spot261]

I'm pretty sure retired means the ship is no longer in active service at all, not refitted.

There's no reason to assume they WOULDN'T use the name, but no reason to assume they WOULD. As there seems no obvious indicator that there was another ENT in between its probably likeliest that there wasn't.

After all, there was a significant gap between the 1701 A and B, again between the C and D, not 100 plus years admittedly but certainly meaningful periods with no ENT. Pretty lucky there was no major uber ship/alien god/etc threats in the meantime I suppose.

 

[Ithekro]

One could assume there could be an Earth ship named Enterprise during the interim time before the Federation finishes absorbing even its earliest member states. Potentially a non-Starfleet ship, but one that would forestall Starfleet from naming a Federation starship Enterprise. Or they just felt that named didn't need to be used again until much time had passed. Or their was a Federation ship named Enterprise, but she wasn't classified as a "starship" by Federation 22nd and 23rd century standards. A Spaceship Enterprise.

 

[USS KG5]

Thus, I can only surmise that there would have been 3 to 5 more starship classes to bear the name, depending on how long Starfleet would want to keep a starship class in service and whether of not the starship was destroyed before being placed out of service.

A lot of fun could be had (and maybe has been in the novels) with myth-busting Archer a bit. It is possible as the Admiral who helped build the Federation, people tend not to talk about how he did not exactly help relations with the Klingons.

It is possible even up to TUC, that the name Enterprise is associated with embarassing the Klingons. Remember Archer didn't just fight them, which they probably would have respected, he made them look like muppets.

Therefore, it is likely that a fledgeling Federation licking it's wounds from the Romulan War started a massive diplomatic effort with the Klingons. When this failed and the Connies were entering service, one picked up the legendary name "Enterprise" as there was no reason to avoid it any more...?

The NX-01 Enterprise was retired after approximately 10 years of service. However, it was probably refitted instead, since there's also a picture of a refitted version of the NX on the internet that I have come across. Thus, assuming they refitted the NX, how much longer would of it remained in service and who was its captain?

I believe in the novels it was retired, totally rebuilt and recommissioned with an NCC registry, whoever wrote that probably posts here, so can probably correct me.

If not, no reason they can't be recommissioned with a new name. I've always assumed that was the fate at the Ent-A, refitted and recommissioned as another ship (the USS Republic maybe?)

 

[Paul Weaver]

Thus, I can only surmise that there would have been 3 to 5 more starship classes to bear the name, depending on how long Starfleet would want to keep a starship class in service and whether of not the starship was destroyed before being placed out of service.

April/Pike/Kirk's Enterprise was the first federation starship to bear the name.

The NX-01 Enterprise was retired after approximately 10 years of service. However, it was probably refitted instead, since there's also a picture of a refitted version of the NX on the internet that I have come across.

Or it was so badly damaged in the final battle with the Romulans that the ship was retired and interned in the Smithsonian (http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/To_Brave_the_Storm)

One final observation about the final episode of Star Trek Enterprise, over the course years from the last episode 'Terra Prime' to the finale, which was about 6 years, why was Reed still only a Lieutenant and Mayweather and Hoshi still Ensigns? It's hard to believe that with all they have done for Starfleet, Archer would of neglected to promote them. And yeah I know after seven years Harry Kim came back to Earth as only an Ensign, considering that Reed came up with the new Tactical Alert protocol and Hoshi helped further developed the universal translator, they undoubtedly would of earned a promotion. What's your thoughts on that?

TATV was a holodeck recreation based on a starfleet conspiracy. The events depicted didn't occur in 2161, but in 2155 (before the Romulan War) - http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/The_Good_That_Men_Do

 

[F. King Daniel]

There was a 22 year gap between the Enterprise-C being destroyed and the -D coming along, too.

Maybe Archer made such a mess of interspecies relations Starfleet thought they should give that name a rest for awhile...

 

[The Wormhole]

The NX-01 Enterprise was retired after approximately 10 years of service. However, it was probably refitted instead, since there's also a picture of a refitted version of the NX on the internet that I have come across. Thus, assuming they refitted the NX, how much longer would of it remained in service and who was its captain?

The NX-01 was retired and immediately turned into a museum ship. All this is established firmly in TATV.

The refit NX class you speak of was created for the Ships of the Line calendars, which frequently utilize this design. It has also since been used in Enterprise novels as well, even appearing on one of the covers.

Also, this leaves room for more prequel TV shows of the Original Series as there would also be no reason Starfleet would not assign the name Enterprise to a new starship between 2161 and 2245. Has this ever been addressed? Are there canon or non-canon material about an Enterprise between the NX Class and the Constitution Class?

In the Prime Universe there were no other Enterprises between the NX-01 and the NCC-1701, as indicated by the fact the 24th century shows go out of their way to establish the Enterprise D as the fifth Federation starship named Enterprise and the Enterprise E as the sixth. And really, there's no reason why there would need to be an Enterprise. Prior to the adventures of the 1701, Enterprise was just a name, not a tradition representing the pride of Starfleet. That's why it's the 1701's registry that gets honoured with subsequent ships re-using that with variations, not the NX-01.

However, in the Kelvin Timeline there apparently was one Enterprise in between the NX-01 and the 1701 which was decommissioned two years prior to the 1701's launch.

One final observation about the final episode of Star Trek Enterprise, over the course years from the last episode 'Terra Prime' to the finale, which was about 6 years, why was Reed still only a Lieutenant and Mayweather and Hoshi still Ensigns? It's hard to believe that with all they have done for Starfleet, Archer would of neglected to promote them. And yeah I know after seven years Harry Kim came back to Earth as only an Ensign, considering that Reed came up with the new Tactical Alert protocol and Hoshi helped further developed the universal translator, they undoubtedly would of earned a promotion. What's your thoughts on that?

TATV's a mess, it's best not to dwell on things like that.

After all, there was a significant gap between the 1701 A and B,

The Enterprise B was launched mere months after the A was decommissioned. The TOS portion of Generations is 78 years before the TNG portion, which is set in 2371. This would make it set in 2293, which is the same year TUC takes place in.

 

[Spot261]

You got a Canon source on the a'small decommissioning date?

 

[Kemaiku]

NX-01: 2151-2161
1701: 2245-2285
A: 2286-2293
B: 2293-23??
C: 2332-2345
D: 2363-2371
E: 2372-Present

There are presumably only two real gaps, the NX-01 was retired as a Columbia class after the Romulan War and made a museum ship. Naming another ship Enterprise may not have gone over well with many species in the 2160's and the name was kept in reserve for some time.

Enterprise C to D mainly out of respect for the sacrifice of the C.

 

[Spot261]

Again, not to be picky but whats the source on that date? I cant think of a canon statement on it.

EDIT: is okay i found one

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

I suppose since 2151 and 2245 are about 100 years apart, maybe it was the almost-centennial of the name Enterprise that inspired it to be called that. Perhaps it was planned for 2251 but was scrambled into service early and given that name anyway.

 

[Tenacity]

Another explaination could be that if the E-D is considered the fifth Enterprise, then obviously the NX-01 (and the ring ship) isn't in that count.

So, Earth could have had multiple Earth starships named Enterprise and as long as none of them was ever deployed to Federation duties then none of them would be in the official count as one of "the" Enterprises.

 

[FlipORican]

April/Pike/Kirk's Enterprise was the first federation starship to bear the name.



Or it was so badly damaged in the final battle with the Romulans that the ship was retired and interned in the Smithsonian (http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/To_Brave_the_Storm)



TATV was a holodeck recreation based on a starfleet conspiracy. The events depicted didn't occur in 2161, but in 2155 (before the Romulan War) - http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/The_Good_That_Men_Do

A large body of licensed Star Trek works exists that, while approved for publication by Paramount, are not considered part of Star Trek canon. This includes novels, comics, games, and older reference books such as the Star Fleet Technical Manual. However, over the years background information from non-canon works has worked its way into canon Star Trek. These include the first names of Hikaru Sulu and Nyota Uhura for example. Thus, based on the episode alone, the finale was a holographic record of event prior to the signing of the charter to establish the UFP and the eventful decommissioning and ending mission of the NX class Enterprise. It is canon that the Romulan War was fought between 2156 and 2160; and while there's no specific date we know the Federation Charter was sign in 2161. However, the closes official specific date could be considered June 30th, 2161 as that is what is states on a memorial plaque at Starfleet Academy in Star Trek Online game, which the developers has to get approval from CBS when adding new elements to the game. Although, not officially canon, since the game developers have to ask for approval from CBS, we can surmise that some of the story lines in the game can be temporarily canon until something is officially shared onscreen (TV or film) much as we have seen with other non-canon works making their way into canon as mentioned earlier. So, with a 84 year gap, for now, the very first official Starfleet starship post the birth of the UFP to bear the name Enterprise is the NCC-1701 Constitution Class. Thus, this creates an opportunity for CBS to create yet another prequel to the Original series, but after ENT, which is going to be Star Trek Discovery (http://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/761665-new-star-trek-discovery-details-reveal-timeline-names-more). Taking place 10 years prior to the Original series, Star Trek Discovery will take place in only a fraction of the 84 year gap. So perhaps in the new upcoming series they might throw in an Enterprise, giving us another starship and crew to the linage and fill in the gap of events that occurred between ENT and the new show.

 

[FlipORican]

Another explaination could be that if the E-D is considered the fifth Enterprise, then obviously the NX-01 (and the ring ship) isn't in that count.

So, Earth could have had multiple Earth starships named Enterprise and as long as none of them was ever deployed to Federation duties then none of them would be in the official count as one of "the" Enterprises.

The NX Class was a Starfleet vessel. The use of the NCC did not occur until after the official creation of the Federation and merging and integration of the fleets of the founding planets into Starfleet.

With the formation of the Federation in 2161, as per the Federation Charter, the United Earth Starfleet, MACO, and the deep space and defensive services of the other member worlds were folded into the authority of the Federation and all operations slowly were regulated solely by Starfleet Command, answering to the Federation Council and the Federation President. Thus, the UFP Starfleet was the United Earth Starfleet of ENT. Therefore, all the starship that had made-up the United Earth Starfleet would be part of the historical lineage of UFP Starfleet, especially since UFP Starfleet starships are designed in accordance to UE Starfleet.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Maybe there simply wasn't an Enterprise in respect to NX-01's accomplishments. But by the time Starfleet decided to christen a new Enterprise, NX-01 had become something rarely talked about anymore in casual conversations (which would explain why she wasn't in TOS, TNG and so on). Historians, rather than our regular heroes, would be the main ones talking about NX-01 by then perhaps...

 

[Ithekro]

The long development and construction time on the Galaxy-class is what justifies the gap between the Enterprise C and D. One of the first Galaxy-class ships ordered is to be named Enterprise after the Enterprise-C is lost, but it takes nearly 20 years to complete that ship. Today, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65 has been retired since the end of 2012. The third Gerold R. Ford-class carrier is to be named Enterprise (CVN-80) was announced as the previous Enterprise was retired from service. However that ship isn't even due to begin construction until 2018 and won't enter service until at least 2025.


As for between 2161 and the 2240s, I imagine there was other ships named Enterprise, just not Starships. Much like the US Navy has basically a launch named Enterprise for two years during the First World War between the decommissioning of the last sailing vessel with that name in 1909 and the commissioning of the aircraft carrier in the late 1930s.


Star Trek: Discovery is not within the long gap, it is after the gap, taking place basically a hundred years after the last regular episode of Enterprise, but ten years before the main TOS series begins. That would be roughly the year after "The Cage", thus the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) is already in service under Captain Pike.

 

[Paul Weaver]

Tatv was interpolated actions based on historical record. The actions in "a good that men do" fits what was presented on screen perfectly, and for far better with the holes in TATV (like the rank issue, the lack of aging, etc). It fits the canon, and ties in the the post-nemesis world.

If there's an Enterprise in discovery it will be captained by Christopher Pike.

 

[MacLeod]

I'm pretty sure retired means the ship is no longer in active service at all, not refitted.

There's no reason to assume they WOULDN'T use the name, but no reason to assume they WOULD. As there seems no obvious indicator that there was another ENT in between its probably likeliest that there wasn't.

After all, there was a significant gap between the 1701 A and B, again between the C and D, not 100 plus years admittedly but certainly meaningful periods with no ENT. Pretty lucky there was no major uber ship/alien god/etc threats in the meantime I suppose.

I think the gap between the NCC-1701A and B was only a couple of years hardly a signifignat gap. We don't know the gap between the B and C as for the gap between the C and D that might have been out of respect.

 

[Spot261]

Apparently it was a matter of months, as covered earlier in the thread

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Enterprise C to D mainly out of respect for the sacrifice of the C.

Plus, the Galaxy class was already on the books when the C was destroyed, but still years away from the production line, so Starfleet also probably thought it best to save the D until then.