CLASS:
The Nova class is science vessel similar to the Oberth class, except their bigger, more capable of defending themselves, faster, and greater science capabilities. The Nova class ships should start replacing the older Oberths as they start to retire.
The Nova Class Development Project began in 2365. Starfleet looked for a number of possibilities to fit the criteria laid out for the new Surveyor. In 2366, the Project decided to use the Defiant Class Development Project's ambandoned prototype vessel, the Pathfinder, as the basis for the new Nova Class design. Contruction began early in 2368 at a steady pace of nine new ships a year at Utopia Planitia. Of the Nova Class ships built to date, only the Equinox, the sister ship to the Nova herself, has been mysteriously lost. The Nova Class is expected to replace the aging Oberth Class vessels as the premier Fleet Surveyors, and they are rapidly being built to do just that. Forty-seven Novas have been built to date.
She has a compliment of 81 officers and crew and has an emergency evac limit of 608 persons. The Novas speed performance is Warp 8.5 for 12 hours. She has a capable weapons package of nine type-X phaser emitters and two torpedo launchers.
