USS Antares
The USS Antares (NCC-74601) is an Intrepid-class science vessel currently assigned to Arcturus Wayfinding Squadron. One of the original Intrepid-class vessels ordered in the late 2360s, Antares was not actually built until after the Dominion War. After four five-year missions across the 2380s and 2390s, Antares received a midlife overhaul at Avalon Fleet Yards that brought her systems up to par with modern standards.
Mission Parameters
Antares performs a wide variety of exploratory and scientific mission types in concert with the other vessels of Arcturus Squadron, which includes both reconnaissance tasks ahead of the squadron and follow-up scientific surveys of interesting phenomena identified by other vessels. With over twenty five generalist and specialist labs, including two astrometrics suites, cetacean operations, and an archiving center, Antares brings a comprehensive scientific skillset to situations where the squadron's explorers or research cruiser Saturn would be unnecessary or in too much danger. Alongside Buran and Hokule'a, Antares is one of the only starships in Arcturus Squadron that can land on planetary bodies. She uses this ability to explore hostile environments that prevent transporter or shuttle use, and to stay for extended surveys.
When not being used for scientific duties, Antares is used as the personal flagship of Vice Admiral Elizabeth Hayden, should the admiral have the need to leave Olympia Station, a duty Antares shares with the Challenger-class light cruiser Nellie Bly, depending on which vessel is available and what the nature of the travel is. While somewhat wasted as a flag courier, Antares is fast and well-defended.
Namesake
Antares is the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, the name meaning "Rival to Ares," literally "the anti-Ares" in Greek ("Ἀντάρης"), because of its reddish appearance similar to that of Mars from Earth.[1] The position of the star in Scorpius lends the Antares its crest: a scorpion.
On Earth, Antares was the name of three auxiliary cargo vessels supporting the Navy of the United States of America.[2] Antares was also the name of the lunar lander of Apollo 14[3], a mission of that nation's nascent space arm, NASA, and the name for a system of expendable launch vehicles[4] in the early 21st century. Three other Federation starships and two starship classes have previously borne the name Antares:
- USS Antares – Antares-class surveyor
- 2240—2260 (Starfleet, transferred to Starfleet Auxiliary)
- 2260—2266 (Starfleet Auxiliary, Destroyed)
- USS Antares — Miranda-class light cruiser
- 2273—2309 (Decomissioned)
- USS Antares — Antares II-class scout
- 2309—2379 (Decomissioned)
History
Antares was one of the first Intrepid-class starships ordered during the initial production run. With delays caused by the loss of Voyager and the Dominion War, she was not actually launched and commissioned until 2379.
Under the command of Captain Elizabeth Hayden, Antares conducted two five-year missions from 2379 through 2389, first in the deep Beta Quadrant beyond Klingon space and then in the rimward Alpha Quadrant.
After over twenty years of service, Antares was laid up at Avalon Fleet Yards in 2400 for a comprehensive mid-life refit. Changes included expanding the medical section and adding a large recreation facility at the aft end of decks five and six. Mainly, this refit restored all of her systems to launch-new condition and prepared her for a new chapter under the command of Captain Noah Armstrong. Antares was assigned to Arcturus Squadron and began exploratory operations in and around the Talvath Cluster in early 2401. Antares joined the rest of Arcturus Squadron in the Olympia Sector later that same year.
Notable Crew
Commanding Officers