I generally thought of the Nebula class as the Galaxy series equivalent to the Miranda class in comparison to the Constitution class - a smaller, more combat focussed vessel featuring a lower crew allocation and the capacity to fit mission specific modules.
god i love the nebula class, shes just a more efficient galaxy class, even more of the firepower and monsterous shielding capabilities and without the neck those shields are even MORE effecient. i really really wish we could get one as a hero ship, even if it were just a miniseries spinoff id take it gladly. :3
Lots of classes seem to do that. Akira is to Soverign what Nebula is to Galaxy, and Centaur is to Excelisor etc. I guess it was the cheapest and easiest way for studio model makers to make a new ship with existing parts but it's funny how that's how the main classes of ships seem to work. It's too bad they didn't put more effort into creating different classes of other races. In universe, it doesn't make sense that Starfleet has like 50x different ship classes and the Romulans have like 1 class of ship.
The better way to think about it is: Nebula is your standard Impreza. Galaxy Class is WRX/STI. One is a workhorse. One is for showoff, speed, performance.
It's not even a "budget" Galaxy class. It's literally a Galaxy class folded-up to save space, and in that respect the design actually makes _more_ sense than a Galaxy class. Plus it has that interchangeable mission module on top, which is cool.
I was hoping to hear about the Endeavor the nebula class U.S.S. Endeavor NCC-71085 from the lore she had been assigned to the battle groups at wolf 359 and sector 001 but I'm sure that is just an oversight.
Yes the Endeavour is supposedly one of the most decorated ships in the fleet besides the main hero ships. Having survived both Borg battles and the Dominion war. Why it is the Lexington and not her at the fleet museum is a bit disappointing although we've never seen Endeavour on screen only mentioned several times.
I always assumed that the Nebula’s were not su much a “budget Galaxy” as they were a more “Mission Modular” multi role ship built using the same basic tech and design elements as the Long Range Deep Space explorer Galaxy Class. The Nebula’s weren’t meant to go quite as far afield, but could be easily equipped to do highly specific tasks. They would likely follow after the Galaxy’s. After the Enterprise discovered something new or interesting a Nebula would be dispatched with much more task specific scientific and survey gear to fully map it out. Galaxy’s were the broad explorers. Nebula’s were the long range deep examination ships. Depending on what sort of mission pod they carried.
One of my favorite ships. One of my Alien Captains in STO use it almost exclusively. It's chonky, it's cute, but most importantly - it wants to have a little snacc. ( _And also the ship I favor picking in Starfleet Command III_ )
Subjectively it might not look as impressive or "sexy" as a Galaxy, but Imho it would make a superior choice for most role applications. 1. As an exploration vessel it has that big "sciencey" pod array thingy which would therefore offer a far superior insight into whatever it happens to be scanning or searching for as it explores new frontiers. 2. The compact design arguably makes it more agile which is good for many combat and non-combat situations plus it physically fits places a Galaxy doesn't lol. And God knows Star Trek loves to add episodes with tight spaces for Starships to have to squeeze through! 3. That massive oversized pod was apparently interchangeable to other pod options depending on the role required. Again, this makes it a more role-flexible ship compared to the more limited role options for the Galaxy. 4. This superior role flexibility would give it a longer shelf life. 5. Regardless of looking smaller than a Galaxy, I'm not sure that it actually was in regards overall volume. The saucer appears to be grafted straight onto the hull, losing the "neck" section of the Galaxy. But what it loses in neck it appears to can in "arse" lol... plus the great big pod which is smaller, equal or bigger than the saucer of other Starships... almost like having two saucers.(and solar panels for extra extra cool 🤔🤣) 6. That rear shuttle/cargo bay looks considerably bigger than the Galaxy which means it can accommodate larger ships or more of whatever it's looking to carry. We can see how that would be a great advantage.
The Nebula is a fighting man’s Galaxy class. The negative space between the Galaxy’s nacelles makes it’s drive system significantly more efficient, but the compact hull configuration of the Nebula is both more physically resilient and allows for a more compact and effective shield arrangement. Add on the triangular tactical pod and the Nebula can easily out fight the Galaxy.
Ah yes the Nebula or as I like to call it "the world's greatest kitbash". You know as a kid watching "The Wounded" for the first time I remember them mentioning the Phoenix for the first time and thinking "oh great I wonder if this will be a Miranda or Excelsior" then being pleasantly surprised when the Nebula showed up.
I love the Nebula's, I have two in my Eaglemoss fleet, Honshu and Phoenix. If I could choose my Nebula she would be a cheese wedge called USS Warspite NCC-61944. Cheers!
i would like to see a Battlestar Galactica version kit bash kit from federation starships. NX 03 Galactica one of 5 NX ships. Atlantica NX 01, Pacifica NX 02, Columbia NX 04 and a USS Pegasus. If only I could write the story I dreamed up for that.
15:37 - Appeared in more incarnations than any other class of ship so far.. Are you sure ? Nebula Class TNG, DS9, Voyager, Picard Galaxy Class, TNG , DS9, Voyager, Enterprise, Picard Not aware of either being in the animated shows (but I admit, my memory isn't as sharp regarding) Even if we go down to individual movies, at best that ties the two.. Galaxy in Generations, Nebula in Generations and First Contact. ...But i'm guessing I'm missing something and I just can't figure out what.. lol.
If I captained a Nebula, I would name it the "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch" after a place in Wales. It is the sort of name that really needs an elliptical saucer, it just wouldn't fit on a circular saucer.
Nebula Class came first and is a workhorse. The Galaxy is just a premium Nebula that is far less versatile. A Nebula with a Tactical Pod can match the Galaxy Class in tactical capability with only 75% of the size and 70% of the personnel. The Nebula is easily the best all-around class in Starfleet service between 2360-2372.
The Nebula was an efficient and capable starship and battle cruiser that made good use of every corridor. The Galaxy on the other hand, was meant to be a testbed for the Federations new tech, and to be a deterrent for war with the Klingons. The Galaxy was oversized for the role of a mere explorer. A good majority of the ship was undeveloped in case of mission specific roles(most of which never appeared.) The Nebula was the better of the two in terms of operational success.(love this ship!) 😁
One of my favorite ships. I like that it's more compact than the galaxy plus the modular pod, it can be made more suited for pretty much any kind of mission.
In the episode where this ship premiered as the USS Phoenix it was able to cause devastation on par with the Defiant and likely could've put up a pretty good fight against the Enterprise. It's hardly a "budget version" anymore than the Reliant was to the original Enterprise.
That would be pretty cool as depending on what the mission was and the specific pod module installed then it would change the look of the 'hero' ship. You could have it for pure science or recon missions or pimp it out with the weapons pod and unleash the gods of war.
I've always had a thing for a more compact style of ship in Trek. The Defiant, Akira, Saber, Steamrunner, Nebula, Luna and even Sovereign classes have always been my favourites because of their layouts.
All the benefits of a galaxy class without saucer separation. Probably a little faster and greater range too given less mass but the same engine and nacelles. I bet they have a 10 Forward too.
The Nebula-class has always been one of my favorite ships. It might look a squished Galaxy-class. But it looks better proportioned compared to the Galaxy's large head on a small body.
Never understood the idea that this was inferior to the Galaxy. More compact means that it should have better shield and warp efficiency, as well as having the modular design that brings forth the potential for way better weapon/sensor possibly.
Why is it, do you suppose, the Enterprise had the speed records and not, say Reliant that Excelsior was set to challenge? The same nacelle type doesn't guarantee equivalent performance. Galaxy maximum speed was routinely over 9.6, at least 9.8 with some risk, while at the same time Nebula was rated 9.5. Because Picard was in no great hurry to confront Maxwell, we never got to see the two starships run all-out. There was a line, however. "I'm not going to win this one, am I Chief?" has a multitude of meanings. It isn't a reach to state Maxwell couldn't readily disable the Enterprise and then go after the second supply ship and science station without risking losing the Phoenix in the attempt. If he thought he could ignore the Enterprise, take out the supply ship, and run to the science station, Maxwell probably would have tried. He knew Picard had the means and position to likely prevent both. Both vehicles are powerful and flexible platforms, where the Nebula might offer greater ease of specialization. This alone, makes justified larger numbers for one over the other. Both have merits without need of disparaging the other. The proof is both get successor designs in roughly equal numbers.
I believe she was the most produced class of the 24th century. She cost 10 percent less in resources than a galaxy class. I thought the Lemington was destroyed during the dominion war. ( dialogue) off screen
I thought the Melbourne from WOLF 359 was an Excelsior class, the same that delivered Commander Shelby and Admiral Hansen to the Enterprise-D and then left with the Admiral back on board.
Always had a soft spot for the Reliant-esque ships of Trek. The Miranda, Nebula, Norway, and most of all the Akira. 'Twas a joy for me to have seen the Nebula the first time on "the Wounded" and later on in "Redemption".
And notice that they never did a Miranda style variant of either Excelsior version. I don't think the Ambassador got a Miranda style variant, either. Guess Starfleet figured that the original was good enough...until it actually *wasn't*.
Nebula is just a slightly smaller Galaxy. It's modular pod makes it more useful IMO. There's a reason there's so many refit Sutherland types in Picard.
@FCVPI99 Length isn't the only consideration. "Size" of ships is analogous to volume as often as length. The volume of Nebula is slightly less than Galaxy, but FAR less than a Warbird, yet powerful enough to challenge either. Strictly going by length, a Warbird should be able to smash three Nebula. Obviously, this has never, ever happened. A 13" pencil can't do anything a 6" or even a 4" pencil can do, practically. If you spend most of your time measuring... well, go to the Warsies who still obsessively measure their imaginary wedges, decades later.
I never understood why the Phaser array runs the same arc length as the Galaxy right over Nacelles, the same goes for the top array running the full arc when the platform is there. Why keep the shuttle bay behind the bridge when it's not easily accessible in front of the giant thick-neck pylon just right behind it, there seems to be a shuttle bay right in the very back below the platform.
The Nebula-class is a ship that I think is visually appealing to look at, with an equal measure of grace and bulk to it's structure. If a Nebula-class was either my first assignment or first command, I'd be very happy and consider myself lucky.
One of my favorites! I was beyond excited as a kid to get the MicroMachines version of the Farragut. Still one of my favorites to use when my kids play with them.
I'd say no the Nebula Class is not a Budget Galaxy class. It's pre-Galaxy. It was the chosen guinea pig test bed for the Galaxy class. And it's design with additional pods made it a true workhorse in terms of versatility and adaptability for different roles. I'm not surprised if a Nebula Class loaded with a weapons tactical pod would give it an edge over a Galaxy/War Galaxy class in battles.
Can @echenry do an internal volume comparison like he did for Miranda & Constitution because I'm not sure the Nebula is smaller than the galaxy actually, or at least not by very much. My assumption on what you would say to justify the idea that in universe the galaxy is clearly supposed to be more powerful, despite the lack of magic weapons pod, is the same one I'd guess for the Miranda vs Constitution. You can just say that building stuff with higher power ratings is easier if everything is spread out so you can either have bigger contiguous components (on stuff that's inside the ship) or more physical space between things (for stuff that's outside the ship, like nacelles). Something like "you can have high powered nacelles close to the ship but they're more technically compless and less energy efficient" seems like a thing that could sound plausible. Which is really all you need with tech babble isn't it? Works for nacelles being above or below the ship being a thing in Trek despite it notably occurring in space where there is no gravitational field to give an "up" and a "down" ...because the ships all have gravity inside and you can just say gravity generation interacts with warp fields. This is a very long way of saying I think the show wants us to believe a Galaxy class is "better" but that seems to not make a lot of sense. There's almost no size difference and the Nebula has a magic mission pod. It seems like it would just be better at everything. So I think a little bit of technobabble is called for to justify our hero ship being the hero!
Not sure why but I prefer the look of the Miranda class over the Constitution class and the Nebula class over the Galaxy class. It may just be the compactness of the ships and the necks of the Constitution and Galaxy classes that I am not a fan of.
My head cannon tells me that Federarion ship building seems to revolve around the following conditions. 1. Raw materials 2. Which member world is building said ship 3. Number of facilities equipped to produce said ship. 4. Ease of implementation of new technologies. 5. Political needs of Starfleet. In this case, it seems that this generation of galaxy style ships and older generations were in prime production scenarios as the borg attacked 359. We know that Starfleet scrambled to try and get new tactically minded ships out into production but we know it took quite a bit of time to start testing these new designs and then the dominion war hits. Surplus older ships are destroyed and it looks like we see a ramp up of nebula builds as well as some intermediates, Akiras, Steamrunners, Norways, Defiants. But it seems this generation of ships and it’s technologies didn’t last for too long and it looks like most of the fleet went through new class upgrades and it seems galaxy gen ships were mostly decommissioned by the early 25th Century.
Well obviously, for a workhorse like the Nebula, it's got to be the U.S.S. Clydesdale... Which... whythefuq have I not named one that in STO already? I mean, I do have a Miranda called Percheron after all... Logical progression and all...
The huge advantage of the Nebula class is that top module is removable. So you can swap that module out easily and quickly at SpaceDock. So you could grab a warfare module full of torpedoes or heavily built out sensor module for spying on the Romulans. Even better, when upgrades come out you just swap the module, instead of having to sit in a dock for months sending engineers into the ship and upgrading inplace. Of course that doesn't upgrade the rest of the Nebula but it's something
Okay - Yes I would love to be in command of a Ship, USS Vision NCC-64137 - Nebula Class Refit, Dominion War variant. Specialty in Intelligence. However, in Star Trek Online - the Monitor variant, with the extra hangar deck would be an awesome choice. Swap them out prior to your next mission--super modular and flexible. Nebula may be a 'budget Galaxy-Class' - I think of it as a Buick vs. a Cadillac; both built with similar bodies, from the same maker - just different packages. One's more expensive, but carries all the same items - with extras. Whereas the Nebula (Buick) would be the one that would be for more flexible options, same engine, slightly different layout, smaller, more maneuverable, than the Galaxy-Class (Cadillac) as it has all the bells and whistles, on a larger degree than the Nebula, but in that, I would still choose the Nebula. The Nebula is like the 24th century version of the Miranda Class. Since it uses the Galaxy Class setup (at least for the saucer section, you could virtually have any bridge lay out you want--Galaxy Class-Style (Generations), any variant of the TNG bridge, a lot of the same things available on the Galaxy would be available on the Nebula. Too many Battle - Pancake references are running through my head. However, I love the Nebula Class; second to the Defiant, this is my favorite design. Thank you for this post, much appreciated!
Note: Andrew Probert (TNG ship designer) once said on Trek Yards that the Nebula class was developed from a concept of a saucer recovery vessel for the galaxy class, should a galaxy class ship's drive section not be present or functional, I guess.
There's something to be said for being a bit less of a target. Yeah, the Nebula isn't perfect, and pushes the 'line of sight' nacelle rule to the breaking point, but I remember it as THE truly modern alternative Starfleet ship. There certainly do seem to be more of them than the Galaxy, which does suggest that they are a more cost effective version. If we'd seen New Orleans class ships in action first, then that class might have more love now, possibly at the expense of the Nebula. The fact that just appearing in action brought it appeal might seem unfair, but otherwise we just kept seeing Miranda and Excelsior (and the ever doomed Oberth) ships, which resulted in the conception of Starfleet having done little in its Lost Period, but largely building and maintaining ships from the previous century; yes, there was the Constellation Class, thankfully, but, again, its Motion Picture era nacelles marked it as an old ship. It was nice to see a Galaxy class level design that wasn't a Galaxy class. Squished or not, I remember it as being visually appealing, AWAC dish and all, which made perfect sense for "The Wounded". If Maxwell hadn't scored a ship with such good sensors, would his vendetta had even happened? I thought the Nebula appearance in "Generations" was a key moment, one of the rescuing ships NOT being a Galaxy, but still having that glorious Galaxy (Platter) primary hull. It was a visual cue that despite the loss of the Federation flagship, that the modern Starfleet continued. (if only a New Orleans could have appeared there alongside it, instead of a tiny Oberth and the much used Miranda!).
It looks to be a more battle-worthy and rugged design than the Galaxy class. That it used many parts in common with the Galaxy class was a definite advantage, The only problem that I can see is the fact that the lower phaser strip is blocked in part by the warp nacelles. Overall a more compact design with much the same, if not identical power as the Galaxy. Therefore, one wonders why, if not a vehicle built more for combat when the Galaxies were admittedly built for exploration and research. That raised "sensor pod "structure was easily the size of some of the early starships and could easily mount an incredible array of weaponry similar to the torpedo launcher installation on the later Akiras. This was not the bargain basement Galaxy. This was Starfleet producing the warship that the Galaxy was not. Internally, it was undoubtedly more a warship and less a travelling classroom. Certainly less of a "civilian" component to the crew. I like the design.
I'd prefer a 'cheese-wedge' named the Quixote, the ship Star Fleet assigns to verify far-fetched and likely bogus reports of mysterious sightings and unknown cosmic wonders that the more major vessels can't be bothered with. Most of the crew assigned to me would probably be there because they've gotten in trouble on other ships and this is their last strike.
I used to have a forum RP back in the day that used a nebula with the cheese wedge converted into a fighter hanger. It also sacrifice some of the interal facilities around the main shuttle bay to increase capacity. I want to say we tried to keep it to holding a dozen fighters plus support facilities, extra crew...
Shelby's still alive, so in Ro Laren, and anyone else we feel like. Future writers out there, please don't kill a character on screen if you lack the will and creative courage to leave them dead and not cheapen the impact of their death just because they were liked by fans and you're too much of a coward professionally to risk creating a new character.
I have the unpopular opinion that Nebulas are the battleship version of the Galaxy battlecruisers - not as fast but even stronger shields and less speed.
I generally thought of the Nebula class as the Galaxy series equivalent to the Miranda class in comparison to the Constitution class - a smaller, more combat focussed vessel featuring a lower crew allocation and the capacity to fit mission specific modules.
Same.
I totally thought the same!!
I love the "hatchback" versions of the Starfleet capital ships. Miranda, Centaur, Nebula, Parliament are all pretty cool ships to me.
I dig the Centaur tbh. She's tight and maneuverable.
god i love the nebula class, shes just a more efficient galaxy class, even more of the firepower and monsterous shielding capabilities and without the neck those shields are even MORE effecient. i really really wish we could get one as a hero ship, even if it were just a miniseries spinoff id take it gladly. :3
yes :3
For me, the Nebula-class is to the Galaxy-class as Miranda-class is to Constitution-class.
That's what I always thought
Lots of classes seem to do that. Akira is to Soverign what Nebula is to Galaxy, and Centaur is to Excelisor etc.
I guess it was the cheapest and easiest way for studio model makers to make a new ship with existing parts but it's funny how that's how the main classes of ships seem to work.
It's too bad they didn't put more effort into creating different classes of other races. In universe, it doesn't make sense that Starfleet has like 50x different ship classes and the Romulans have like 1 class of ship.
The better way to think about it is: Nebula is your standard Impreza. Galaxy Class is WRX/STI. One is a workhorse. One is for showoff, speed, performance.
The Nebula is my all time favorite Starfleet ship, and I loved the Sutherland class when it came out. If I was in Starfleet, I'd captain one
Nebula Class was the first ST ship I ever fell in love with.
It's not even a "budget" Galaxy class. It's literally a Galaxy class folded-up to save space, and in that respect the design actually makes _more_ sense than a Galaxy class. Plus it has that interchangeable mission module on top, which is cool.
I always loved the Nebula class. They are my favorite ship class in Bridge Commander.
I was hoping to hear about the Endeavor the nebula class U.S.S. Endeavor NCC-71085 from the lore she had been assigned to the battle groups at wolf 359 and sector 001 but I'm sure that is just an oversight.
Yes the Endeavour is supposedly one of the most decorated ships in the fleet besides the main hero ships. Having survived both Borg battles and the Dominion war.
Why it is the Lexington and not her at the fleet museum is a bit disappointing although we've never seen Endeavour on screen only mentioned several times.
I like how the rounded pod version on the phoenix looks like an AWACS so id choose one of those. Name it something like Zephyr or Sol
Nebula Class is a Miranda of the Galaxy, so why didn't people hate on the Miranda? (they probably did but idk)
I always assumed that the Nebula’s were not su much a “budget Galaxy” as they were a more “Mission Modular” multi role ship built using the same basic tech and design elements as the Long Range Deep Space explorer Galaxy Class. The Nebula’s weren’t meant to go quite as far afield, but could be easily equipped to do highly specific tasks. They would likely follow after the Galaxy’s. After the Enterprise discovered something new or interesting a Nebula would be dispatched with much more task specific scientific and survey gear to fully map it out. Galaxy’s were the broad explorers. Nebula’s were the long range deep examination ships. Depending on what sort of mission pod they carried.
One of my favorite ships. One of my Alien Captains in STO use it almost exclusively.
It's chonky, it's cute, but most importantly - it wants to have a little snacc.
( _And also the ship I favor picking in Starfleet Command III_ )
I actually prefer the Nebula over the Galaxy🫣. And I currently fly the Sutherland upgrade in Star Trek Online (the carrier version), love it to bits
Nebula class has always rocked! Respect its versatility!
Okay, I admit it...the "Dorito pod" was good.
Subjectively it might not look as impressive or "sexy" as a Galaxy, but Imho it would make a superior choice for most role applications.
1. As an exploration vessel it has that big "sciencey" pod array thingy which would therefore offer a far superior insight into whatever it happens to be scanning or searching for as it explores new frontiers.
2. The compact design arguably makes it more agile which is good for many combat and non-combat situations plus it physically fits places a Galaxy doesn't lol. And God knows Star Trek loves to add episodes with tight spaces for Starships to have to squeeze through!
3. That massive oversized pod was apparently interchangeable to other pod options depending on the role required. Again, this makes it a more role-flexible ship compared to the more limited role options for the Galaxy.
4. This superior role flexibility would give it a longer shelf life.
5. Regardless of looking smaller than a Galaxy, I'm not sure that it actually was in regards overall volume. The saucer appears to be grafted straight onto the hull, losing the "neck" section of the Galaxy. But what it loses in neck it appears to can in "arse" lol... plus the great big pod which is smaller, equal or bigger than the saucer of other Starships... almost like having two saucers.(and solar panels for extra extra cool 🤔🤣)
6. That rear shuttle/cargo bay looks considerably bigger than the Galaxy which means it can accommodate larger ships or more of whatever it's looking to carry. We can see how that would be a great advantage.
The Nebula is a fighting man’s Galaxy class. The negative space between the Galaxy’s nacelles makes it’s drive system significantly more efficient, but the compact hull configuration of the Nebula is both more physically resilient and allows for a more compact and effective shield arrangement. Add on the triangular tactical pod and the Nebula can easily out fight the Galaxy.
Could you do a segment on the archer class or have you done one already...thanks
Ah yes the Nebula or as I like to call it "the world's greatest kitbash". You know as a kid watching "The Wounded" for the first time I remember them mentioning the Phoenix for the first time and thinking "oh great I wonder if this will be a Miranda or Excelsior" then being pleasantly surprised when the Nebula showed up.
I get the feeling Adam say poor star Drive 🙏❤
The cheese-wedge and I would name it "USS Lollipop"
It looks like a far more practical version of the Galaxy class. The long, narrow necks of so many ships do not make sense.
I always thought of the Nebula class as the Miranda class equivalent to the Galaxy class.
I love the Nebula's, I have two in my Eaglemoss fleet, Honshu and Phoenix.
If I could choose my Nebula she would be a cheese wedge called USS Warspite NCC-61944. Cheers!
Nebula is by far my favorite class.
i would like to see a Battlestar Galactica version kit bash kit from federation starships.
NX 03 Galactica one of 5 NX ships. Atlantica NX 01, Pacifica NX 02, Columbia NX 04 and a USS Pegasus. If only I could write the story I dreamed up for that.
In the real world the Nebula Class was a quick and dirty kit bash.
15:37 - Appeared in more incarnations than any other class of ship so far..
Are you sure ?
Nebula Class
TNG, DS9, Voyager, Picard
Galaxy Class,
TNG , DS9, Voyager, Enterprise, Picard
Not aware of either being in the animated shows (but I admit, my memory isn't as sharp regarding)
Even if we go down to individual movies, at best that ties the two.. Galaxy in Generations, Nebula in Generations and First Contact.
...But i'm guessing I'm missing something and I just can't figure out what.. lol.
If I captained a Nebula, I would name it the "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch" after a place in Wales. It is the sort of name that really needs an elliptical saucer, it just wouldn't fit on a circular saucer.
#WelshTrek for the win.
Q: my real name is 14 light years long. I'd teach you how to pronounce it but explaining cold fusion would be easier.
Welsh: Try me.
I really enjoy both builds. nebula and Sutherland’s…
Nebula Class came first and is a workhorse. The Galaxy is just a premium Nebula that is far less versatile. A Nebula with a Tactical Pod can match the Galaxy Class in tactical capability with only 75% of the size and 70% of the personnel. The Nebula is easily the best all-around class in Starfleet service between 2360-2372.
The Sutherland named after Star Trek Animated series director-Hal Sutherland?
Let's have a series about the Vulcan 🖖 starfleet crew lol.
It reminds me of the uss reliant
I love the Nebula glass
I thought the Melbourne was an excelsior class ship.
The Nebula was an efficient and capable starship and battle cruiser that made good use of every corridor.
The Galaxy on the other hand, was meant to be a testbed for the Federations new tech, and to be a deterrent for war with the Klingons. The Galaxy was oversized for the role of a mere explorer. A good majority of the ship was undeveloped in case of mission specific roles(most of which never appeared.)
The Nebula was the better of the two in terms of operational success.(love this ship!)
😁
Nebula class appears about the same mass, just without the 'neck.' This actually makes for a more efficient shield bubble than Galaxy.
It also has the modular addition bar. The Galaxy has no module add on.
One has to wonder if the third pylon of the Galaxy X might've been better served, tactically, with a torpedo pod...?
@@randybentley2633 I think it is whatever quantum slipstream demands the pylon to be.
I always thought this. The saucer and secondary hull are the same as a galaxy. There’s really not a lot lost with the neck being absent.
roughly same mass but more compact rotational inertia, so, more maneuverability.
One of my favorite ships. I like that it's more compact than the galaxy plus the modular pod, it can be made more suited for pretty much any kind of mission.
In the episode where this ship premiered as the USS Phoenix it was able to cause devastation on par with the Defiant and likely could've put up a pretty good fight against the Enterprise. It's hardly a "budget version" anymore than the Reliant was to the original Enterprise.
This is one of my all time favorite star ship classes. It's amazing! I would have loved a Star Trek series with this class as the main hero ship.
That would be pretty cool as depending on what the mission was and the specific pod module installed then it would change the look of the 'hero' ship. You could have it for pure science or recon missions or pimp it out with the weapons pod and unleash the gods of war.
I've always had a thing for a more compact style of ship in Trek. The Defiant, Akira, Saber, Steamrunner, Nebula, Luna and even Sovereign classes have always been my favourites because of their layouts.
this ship was designed to be a galaxy style Miranda ...
Nebula is basically the same mass and displacement as the Galaxy, just a different configuration.
The ship was originally intended to be smaller (like all the other Wolf 359 wrecks) but in the end wound up being the same size as the Galaxy.
And it's mission Pod on top was moddable depending on the mission
All the benefits of a galaxy class without saucer separation. Probably a little faster and greater range too given less mass but the same engine and nacelles. I bet they have a 10 Forward too.
The Nebula-class has always been one of my favorite ships. It might look a squished Galaxy-class. But it looks better proportioned compared to the Galaxy's large head on a small body.
Never understood the idea that this was inferior to the Galaxy. More compact means that it should have better shield and warp efficiency, as well as having the modular design that brings forth the potential for way better weapon/sensor possibly.
Why is it, do you suppose, the Enterprise had the speed records and not, say Reliant that Excelsior was set to challenge? The same nacelle type doesn't guarantee equivalent performance. Galaxy maximum speed was routinely over 9.6, at least 9.8 with some risk, while at the same time Nebula was rated 9.5.
Because Picard was in no great hurry to confront Maxwell, we never got to see the two starships run all-out. There was a line, however. "I'm not going to win this one, am I Chief?" has a multitude of meanings. It isn't a reach to state Maxwell couldn't readily disable the Enterprise and then go after the second supply ship and science station without risking losing the Phoenix in the attempt. If he thought he could ignore the Enterprise, take out the supply ship, and run to the science station, Maxwell probably would have tried. He knew Picard had the means and position to likely prevent both.
Both vehicles are powerful and flexible platforms, where the Nebula might offer greater ease of specialization. This alone, makes justified larger numbers for one over the other. Both have merits without need of disparaging the other. The proof is both get successor designs in roughly equal numbers.
I believe she was the most produced class of the 24th century. She cost 10 percent less in resources than a galaxy class.
I thought the Lemington was destroyed during the dominion war. ( dialogue) off screen
In most thing it was just as good an galaxy class, just a little slower, and not as capable of long deployments.
@@tabxtra7057 agreed
I thought the Melbourne from WOLF 359 was an Excelsior class, the same that delivered Commander Shelby and Admiral Hansen to the Enterprise-D and then left with the Admiral back on board.
I thought the Melbourne was an Ambassador class.
Always had a soft spot for the Reliant-esque ships of Trek. The Miranda, Nebula, Norway, and most of all the Akira. 'Twas a joy for me to have seen the Nebula the first time on "the Wounded" and later on in "Redemption".
To me, the Nebula class has always been to the Galaxy class what the Miranda class was to the Constitution class.
And notice that they never did a Miranda style variant of either Excelsior version. I don't think the Ambassador got a Miranda style variant, either. Guess Starfleet figured that the original was good enough...until it actually *wasn't*.
@@DragoonMS miranda style version for excelsior is the centaur class.
@@thunderboltcougar5626 So there is one? Interesting. Gonna have to look up the Centaur class.
I love the Nebula Class, Great design
Wasnt the melbourne a Excelsior class?
Nebula Class with the cheesewedge please! TNG Era... Such a gorgeous ship
Oh it probably wasn’t important it’s the frickin enterprise dude
is joke
Nebula is just a slightly smaller Galaxy. It's modular pod makes it more useful IMO. There's a reason there's so many refit Sutherland types in Picard.
200 meters isnt really slightly
Considering they only planned for 6 galaxys to be built the nebula was the mass produce variant
@FCVPI99 Length isn't the only consideration. "Size" of ships is analogous to volume as often as length. The volume of Nebula is slightly less than Galaxy, but FAR less than a Warbird, yet powerful enough to challenge either. Strictly going by length, a Warbird should be able to smash three Nebula. Obviously, this has never, ever happened. A 13" pencil can't do anything a 6" or even a 4" pencil can do, practically. If you spend most of your time measuring... well, go to the Warsies who still obsessively measure their imaginary wedges, decades later.
I never understood why the Phaser array runs the same arc length as the Galaxy right over Nacelles, the same goes for the top array running the full arc when the platform is there. Why keep the shuttle bay behind the bridge when it's not easily accessible in front of the giant thick-neck pylon just right behind it, there seems to be a shuttle bay right in the very back below the platform.
nebula class has the nice features from the galaxy without the hideous neck, AND it has modular bits. Perfect
To me the Nebula Class starship is to the Galaxy class what the Miranda class starship was to the Constitution class..
The Nebula-class is a ship that I think is visually appealing to look at, with an equal measure of grace and bulk to it's structure. If a Nebula-class was either my first assignment or first command, I'd be very happy and consider myself lucky.
One of my favorites! I was beyond excited as a kid to get the MicroMachines version of the Farragut. Still one of my favorites to use when my kids play with them.
Space Pizza cutter FTW!
They should have named Nebula class ships after nebulas. My ship would be the Hand of God.😜
"USS Crab" and "USS Horsehead", hmm....
Pretty sure Hansen commanded a Galaxy class at Wolf 359 per the script and the battle bridge shown in the episode.
I'd say no the Nebula Class is not a Budget Galaxy class. It's pre-Galaxy. It was the chosen guinea pig test bed for the Galaxy class. And it's design with additional pods made it a true workhorse in terms of versatility and adaptability for different roles. I'm not surprised if a Nebula Class loaded with a weapons tactical pod would give it an edge over a Galaxy/War Galaxy class in battles.
Can @echenry do an internal volume comparison like he did for Miranda & Constitution because I'm not sure the Nebula is smaller than the galaxy actually, or at least not by very much.
My assumption on what you would say to justify the idea that in universe the galaxy is clearly supposed to be more powerful, despite the lack of magic weapons pod, is the same one I'd guess for the Miranda vs Constitution. You can just say that building stuff with higher power ratings is easier if everything is spread out so you can either have bigger contiguous components (on stuff that's inside the ship) or more physical space between things (for stuff that's outside the ship, like nacelles).
Something like "you can have high powered nacelles close to the ship but they're more technically compless and less energy efficient" seems like a thing that could sound plausible. Which is really all you need with tech babble isn't it? Works for nacelles being above or below the ship being a thing in Trek despite it notably occurring in space where there is no gravitational field to give an "up" and a "down" ...because the ships all have gravity inside and you can just say gravity generation interacts with warp fields.
This is a very long way of saying I think the show wants us to believe a Galaxy class is "better" but that seems to not make a lot of sense. There's almost no size difference and the Nebula has a magic mission pod. It seems like it would just be better at everything. So I think a little bit of technobabble is called for to justify our hero ship being the hero!
Not sure why but I prefer the look of the Miranda class over the Constitution class and the Nebula class over the Galaxy class. It may just be the compactness of the ships and the necks of the Constitution and Galaxy classes that I am not a fan of.
The Nebula class has the whole word soup of military buzzwords! MODULAR TACTICAL DYNAMIC lol
If it's the cheapest ship why can't they make newer versions of galaxy class?
My head cannon tells me that Federarion ship building seems to revolve around the following conditions.
1. Raw materials
2. Which member world is building said ship
3. Number of facilities equipped to produce said ship.
4. Ease of implementation of new technologies.
5. Political needs of Starfleet.
In this case, it seems that this generation of galaxy style ships and older generations were in prime production scenarios as the borg attacked 359. We know that Starfleet scrambled to try and get new tactically minded ships out into production but we know it took quite a bit of time to start testing these new designs and then the dominion war hits. Surplus older ships are destroyed and it looks like we see a ramp up of nebula builds as well as some intermediates, Akiras, Steamrunners, Norways, Defiants.
But it seems this generation of ships and it’s technologies didn’t last for too long and it looks like most of the fleet went through new class upgrades and it seems galaxy gen ships were mostly decommissioned by the early 25th Century.
@Uhohoreo yes its seems that way just like today ships
Well obviously, for a workhorse like the Nebula, it's got to be the U.S.S. Clydesdale...
Which... whythefuq have I not named one that in STO already? I mean, I do have a Miranda called Percheron after all... Logical progression and all...
The huge advantage of the Nebula class is that top module is removable. So you can swap that module out easily and quickly at SpaceDock. So you could grab a warfare module full of torpedoes or heavily built out sensor module for spying on the Romulans. Even better, when upgrades come out you just swap the module, instead of having to sit in a dock for months sending engineers into the ship and upgrading inplace. Of course that doesn't upgrade the rest of the Nebula but it's something
Okay - Yes I would love to be in command of a Ship, USS Vision NCC-64137 - Nebula Class Refit, Dominion War variant. Specialty in Intelligence. However, in Star Trek Online - the Monitor variant, with the extra hangar deck would be an awesome choice. Swap them out prior to your next mission--super modular and flexible.
Nebula may be a 'budget Galaxy-Class' - I think of it as a Buick vs. a Cadillac; both built with similar bodies, from the same maker - just different packages. One's more expensive, but carries all the same items - with extras. Whereas the Nebula (Buick) would be the one that would be for more flexible options, same engine, slightly different layout, smaller, more maneuverable, than the Galaxy-Class (Cadillac) as it has all the bells and whistles, on a larger degree than the Nebula, but in that, I would still choose the Nebula. The Nebula is like the 24th century version of the Miranda Class.
Since it uses the Galaxy Class setup (at least for the saucer section, you could virtually have any bridge lay out you want--Galaxy Class-Style (Generations), any variant of the TNG bridge, a lot of the same things available on the Galaxy would be available on the Nebula. Too many Battle - Pancake references are running through my head. However, I love the Nebula Class; second to the Defiant, this is my favorite design. Thank you for this post, much appreciated!
Yay. Two Lt Commander Adam videos! He might be back, folks!
Lt Commander Adam Ship reviews are back, I hope!
Note: Andrew Probert (TNG ship designer) once said on Trek Yards that the Nebula class was developed from a concept of a saucer recovery vessel for the galaxy class, should a galaxy class ship's drive section not be present or functional, I guess.
Any thoughts on the Monitor-class variation of the Nebula design? It's basically just "swap the dorito chip for another hangar bay".
There's something to be said for being a bit less of a target. Yeah, the Nebula isn't perfect, and pushes the 'line of sight' nacelle rule to the breaking point, but I remember it as THE truly modern alternative Starfleet ship. There certainly do seem to be more of them than the Galaxy, which does suggest that they are a more cost effective version.
If we'd seen New Orleans class ships in action first, then that class might have more love now, possibly at the expense of the Nebula. The fact that just appearing in action brought it appeal might seem unfair, but otherwise we just kept seeing Miranda and Excelsior (and the ever doomed Oberth) ships, which resulted in the conception of Starfleet having done little in its Lost Period, but largely building and maintaining ships from the previous century; yes, there was the Constellation Class, thankfully, but, again, its Motion Picture era nacelles marked it as an old ship. It was nice to see a Galaxy class level design that wasn't a Galaxy class. Squished or not, I remember it as being visually appealing, AWAC dish and all, which made perfect sense for "The Wounded". If Maxwell hadn't scored a ship with such good sensors, would his vendetta had even happened?
I thought the Nebula appearance in "Generations" was a key moment, one of the rescuing ships NOT being a Galaxy, but still having that glorious Galaxy (Platter) primary hull. It was a visual cue that despite the loss of the Federation flagship, that the modern Starfleet continued. (if only a New Orleans could have appeared there alongside it, instead of a tiny Oberth and the much used Miranda!).
Why is it, when listening to Lieutenant Commander Adam, I see Captain Morgan Bateson (Fraser Crane) (Kelsey Grammer) ?
It looks to be a more battle-worthy and rugged design than the Galaxy class. That it used many parts in common with the Galaxy class was a definite advantage, The only problem that I can see is the fact that the lower phaser strip is blocked in part by the warp nacelles. Overall a more compact design with much the same, if not identical power as the Galaxy. Therefore, one wonders why, if not a vehicle built more for combat when the Galaxies were admittedly built for exploration and research. That raised "sensor pod "structure was easily the size of some of the early starships and could easily mount an incredible array of weaponry similar to the torpedo launcher installation on the later Akiras. This was not the bargain basement Galaxy. This was Starfleet producing the warship that the Galaxy was not. Internally, it was undoubtedly more a warship and less a travelling classroom. Certainly less of a "civilian" component to the crew. I like the design.
I'd prefer a 'cheese-wedge' named the Quixote, the ship Star Fleet assigns to verify far-fetched and likely bogus reports of mysterious sightings and unknown cosmic wonders that the more major vessels can't be bothered with. Most of the crew assigned to me would probably be there because they've gotten in trouble on other ships and this is their last strike.
Imo a Nebula with the sensor/utility pod should have a far greater mass than any Galaxy despite the absence of a 'neck'
I knew the Melbourne wasn't a Galaxy class Starship. But i am glad i found out it was a Nebula Class Starship.
Negative points for misuse of the terms "decimated" and "leftenant."
I used to have a forum RP back in the day that used a nebula with the cheese wedge converted into a fighter hanger. It also sacrifice some of the interal facilities around the main shuttle bay to increase capacity. I want to say we tried to keep it to holding a dozen fighters plus support facilities, extra crew...
Good to hear from you Adam! As, for what Battleship Agincourt, I agree fully!
Shelby's still alive, so in Ro Laren, and anyone else we feel like. Future writers out there, please don't kill a character on screen if you lack the will and creative courage to leave them dead and not cheapen the impact of their death just because they were liked by fans and you're too much of a coward professionally to risk creating a new character.
The great many Kardashians no longer alive because of been Maxwell and a nebula class starship let's not underestimate this ship
The ending of Picard S3 wouldve been totally different if that was the only stardrive section available to Geordi 😂
Only one thing about the Nebula class I'm not sure about, where are it's impulse engines?
I have the unpopular opinion that Nebulas are the battleship version of the Galaxy battlecruisers - not as fast but even stronger shields and less speed.
How about a Nebula class answer to the Galaxy X ? complete with a Phaser Lance.
My Nebula would be the more heavily armed variant and Named the Ticonderoga.
If I were to command a Nebula class starship it would be the "Chesse wedge" and I call it the USS Ashville.
Merrymack and monitor. Those were the names of the two first ironclad warships. Us civil war. One was union the other confederatcy.
Anyone else had the thought about a Nebula class with a heavy weapons pod? Like two PPC or other cannons
Rumour has it you were spotted buying several Horga'hn at the gift shop.
Not a fan of the layout but it certainly has what it takes to be a reliable ship.
The cardassians got lucky that the federation don't want to win the board war
Did you bring back a Horgon ?? Enquiring minds want to know .....