Class and Type: Nova-class Scout
Commissioning Date: 2370
Lead Engineer: Erik

Hull Characteristics
Size: 3 (140 meters long, 6 decks)
Resistance: 3
Structural Points: 60
Operational Characteristics
Crew/Passengers/Evac: 80/120/500
   [6 pwr/round]
Computers: 5
   [5 pwr/round]
Transporters: 2 personnel/2 cargo
   [2 pwr/round]
Tractor Beams: 1 av/1 fd
   [2/rating used]
Propulsion & Power Characteristics
Warp System: 5.0/7.0/8.0 (12 hours)
   [2/warp factor]
Impulse System: .65c/.8c
   [6/8 pwr/round]
Power: 125
Sensor Systems
Long-range Sensors: +2/17 light-years
   [6 pwr/round]
Lateral Sensors: +2/2 light-years
   [4 pwr/round]
Navigational Sensors: +2
   [5 pwr/round]
Sensors Skill: 5
Weapons Systems
Type VI Phaser:
   Range: 10/30,000/100,000/300,000
   Arc: Forward or aft (540 degrees)
   Accuracy: 5/6/8/11
   Damage: 12
   Power: [12]
Weapons Skill: 4
Defensive Systems
Starfleet Deflector Shield:
   Protection: 48/60
   Power: [48]

Description and Notes
Fleet data: With the development of technologies such as advanced sensor systems, bio-neural processors and emergency medical holograms by the late 2360’s - all innovations with vast potential for scientific research programs - the reliable but elderly Oberth-class science vessel at last was outpaced by technological progress.  None of the newer systems could be incorporated into the venerable ships without extensive spaceframe and EPS modifications; the Advanced Starship Design Bureau deemed it more economical to simply produce a new surveyor class.

The chosen design for the proposed Nova-class was a modification of the original Defiant-class pathfinder vessel, with most of the tactical systems removed and replaced with new, cutting-edge sensor templates for close-in stellar and planetary survey operations.  The advanced warp core planned for the spaceframe, which was eventually incorporated into the production Defiant-class, was replaced with a substantially lower-powered version with reduced maintenance requirements in an effort to capture the vaunted reliability of the Oberth-class.  The correspondingly reduced space requirements for SIF/IDF field generators, long-range tactical sensors, and photon torpedo launchers and storage areas allowed for the inclusion of a series of top-of-the-line laboratory facilities and substantially superior crew and passenger quarters to those planned for the Defiant-class incarnation of the spaceframe.

The availability of an existing design on ASDB's drafting PADDs allowed for the rapid development of the prototype U.S.S. Nova; the class was authorized in 2366 and launched only four years later.  Starfleet's Research and Exploration division reports high satisfaction with the performance of the eight Nova-class surveyors launched before the start of the Dominion War - despite the still unexplained disappearance of the U.S.S. Equinox - and with the conclusion of the war, Starfleet hopes to authorize construction of larger numbers of the class.

The last two Nova-class vessels commissioned, the Van Allen and the Cassini, are serving as test beds for an additional innovation: holographically-augmented, configurable laboratory facilities intended to greatly expand the versatility of shipboard research facilities.

Noteworthy vessels / service records / encounters: U.S.S. Nova, prototype; U.S.S. Equinox, recorded as missing during a routine planetary survey series.  Also in service:  U.S.S. Solstice; U.S.S. Precession; U.S.S. Quasar; U.S.S. Pulsar; U.S.S. Van Allen; U.S.S. Cassini.

Author's Notes
Somebody had posted an estimated length of 125 meters for the Equinox; I've bumped this up slightly, but it's open to revision as more information becomes available.  If anybody can give a more official deck count, go for it; I didn't tape the episode, so I can't look at the cutaway.  The crew size and the lack of photon torpedoes are based on previous discussions on the mailing list, warp speed is based on the episode.  (Should the warp system of the Oberth-class as given in the ST:TNG RPG rulebook be revised at this point?  Hard to believe that the 100-years-older design is actually that much faster.)

I take full responsibility for the "hololab" idea as something I was kicking around in my head that seemed to fit the Nova-class pretty well.  Names and numbers of ships are happily revisable; I based several names on the pattern that the Nova and Equinox seemed to be establishing, then switched when I couldn't think of any that didn't sound a little silly (U.S.S. Polar Oscillation, anybody?).  Van Allen is in honor of our distinguished emeritus astronomy professor here at the University of Iowa, Cassini is for the space probe, with which a couple of friends of mine have worked or are working.

Editor's Notes
For another interpretation of the Nova-class, check out Owen Oulton's version.

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