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The Enterprise Throughout History
Credit: Namco Bandai
Starship USS Enterprise, serial number NCC-1701, of the United Federation of Planets, has captivated audiences since the debut of "Star Trek" on television in 1966. That fascination has continued to the present day, as the latest installment of the science-fiction franchise, "Star Trek Into Darkness," opens in the US on May 16, 2013. Here we take a look at ships bearing the name of Enterprise in many different incarnations.
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USS Enterprise (Sailing Vessel)
Credit: US Navy
The first of all US ships to bear the name of Enterprise was a Continental Navy sloop-of-war that served in the American Revolutionary War on Lake Champlain. Originally a British sloop named "George," it was captured by a small American force commanded by Colonel Benedict Arnold in 1775 and renamed. Later the US forces had to run the ship aground and destroy it in 1777 to avoid capture.
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USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in Real Life
Credit: US Navy
A long series of sea vessels were named Enterprise throughout history. The eighth US ship to bear the name was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The US Navy commissioned the giant vessel in 1962, which served until its deactivation in 2012. A new USS Enterprise (CVN-80) is scheduled to become operational in 2025. Regarding Star Trek, the naval warship may have inspired the name of the fictional starship. Also, in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," Uhura and Chekov visit the aircraft carrier Enterprise, though the filmmakers could not shoot aboard the actual ship.
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Star Trek Crew Welcomes Real-Life Enterprise
Credit: NASA
In 1976, NASA's space shuttle Enterprise rolled out of the Palmdale manufacturing facilities, and was greeted by NASA officials and cast members from the original "Star Trek" television series. They are (L to R): NASA Administrator Dr. James D. Fletcher; DeForest Kelley, who portrayed Dr. "Bones" McCoy on the series; George Takei (Mr. Sulu); James Doohan (Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott); Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura); Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock); series creator Gene Roddenberry; an unnamed NASA official; and, Walter Koenig (Ensign Pavel Chekov).
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Space Shuttle Enterprise
Credit: NASA
In real life, the prototype space shuttle was named Enterprise (OV-101) following a write-in campaign by Star Trek fans. The orbiter conducts a 1977 test flight in this photo.
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The VSS Enterprise of Virgin Galactic
Credit: Virgin Galactic
Another real-life craft, one of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo vehicles, bears the name VSS Enterprise. It glided over California's Mojave Air and Space Port during the first drop and glide test on Oct. 10, 2010. Eventually the company plans to take "space tourists" on commercial flights.
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USS Enterprise (XCV 330)
Credit: Paramount Pictures
The experimental craft represents the first Starship Enterprise, although it only appeared as a illustration in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." It again appeared in a painting during the Star Trek: Enterprise episode, "First Flight," thereby dating it prior to 2143 in the Star Trek timeline.
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Enterprise (NX-01)
Credit: CBS Studios
The United Earth Starfleet's Enterprise was an experimental prototype ship, commanded by Captain Jonathan Archer. It appeared as the titular vessel of the prequel television series Star Trek: Enterprise (2001–2005). A mirror version of the ship, ISS Enterprise (NX-01), appeared in the episode "In a Mirror, Darkly."
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The Original Starship Enterprise (NCC-1701)
Credit: National Air and Space Museum
This model of the fictional starship Enterprise was used in filming the weekly hourlong “Star Trek” TV series that aired September 1966 to June 1969. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, now displays the iconic model.
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ISS Enterprise in the Mirror Universe
Credit: CBS Studios
This ship of the Terran Empire appeared in the Star Trek episode "Mirror, Mirror," which involved a treacherous, violent mirror crew. The mirror ship appears almost identical to the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701).
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USC Enterprise (NCC-1701) Animated
Credit: CBS Studios
Star Trek: The Animated Series ran from 1973-1974, and featured a Starship Enterprise retaining the original TV show's design, though the producers altered certain interior features, such as a second turbolift accessing the bridge.
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The Enterprise Refitted (NCC-1701)
Credit: CBS Studios
The starship Enterprise underwent several refits to upgrade of most systems and the replace the bridge and warp-drive nacelles. It appeared in the first three Star Trek movies: "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979), "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," (1982), and "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" (1984). Here the ship is seen self-destructing on Kirk's order to defeat a Klingon boarding party in "Star Trek III," the NCC-1701 Enterprise's final moment.
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USS Enterprise A (NCC-1701-A)
Credit: CBS Studios
The USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) was a Federation Constitution-class heavy cruiser, the second to bear the name "Enterprise." It appeared at the end of "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986), and then in the subsequent movies featuring the original crew.
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USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B)
Credit: CBS Studios
An upgrade of the Excelsior-class, she was the third Federation starship to bear the name Enterprise. This craft appeared in the movie "Star Trek: Generations" (1994), in which the "energy ribbon" damaged it.
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USS Enterprise-C (NCC-1701-C)
Credit: CBS Studios
The fourth starship to bear the name U.S.S. Enterprise was commanded by Captain Rachel Garrett. This ship only appears in the Next Generation episode "Yesterday's Enterprise" (1990). The vessel's lifespan ended attempting to defend the Klingon outpost Narendra III from Romulan attack.
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USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
Credit: CBS Studios
The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D was a Galaxy-class starship and the flagship of Starfleet. The fifth starship to be named Enterprise was commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard. This ship provided the main setting for the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series (1987-1994). The USS Enterprise-D was destroyed in 2371 after an attack by renegade Klingons breached her warp core as depicted in "Star Trek: Generations."
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USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) of an Alternate Future
Credit: CBS Studios
The USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) appeared in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, "All Good Things ... " The ship appeared in an alternate future having survived and not crashed during the "Star Trek: Generations" movie, and had instead began serving as Admiral William T. Riker's personal flagship. Note the third warp nacelle.
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USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E)
Credit: CBS Studios
Sovereign-class starship, registry NCC-1701-E, it was commanded by Jean-Luc Picard. Enterprise-E appeared in the films "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996), "Star Trek: Insurrection" (1998), and "Star Trek Nemesis" (2002). Heavily damaged in "Star Trek Nemesis," it returned to Earth for refitting in spacedock. (A later NCC-1701-F appears in the Star Trek: Online game.)
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USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) Rebooted
Credit: Paramount Pictures.
A still from the film "Star Trek" (2009) showing the reimagined U.S.S. Enterprise (still NCC-1701), which exists in an altered reality.
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Starship Enterprise (NCC-1701) Freefalling in the Latest Movie
Credit: Paramount Pictures
The USS Enterprise of the alternate reality "rebooted" Star Trek free-falls during a trailer for the new "Star Trek Into Darkness" movie (2013). Early preview clips suggest that the ship sustains heavy damage during the events of the movie.
