Introduction to the Excelsior Class

The Excelsior class, one of the most iconic and enduring starship designs in Star Trek's vessel fleet, has maintained its prominence for decades. This class first appeared in Star Trek: The Original Series and continued to be featured prominently in the subsequent series, Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG). The question often arises: did Gene Roddenberry and the TNG producers intentionally keep this class as a workhorse for 80 years as a playful nod to fans who had mixed feelings about the design?

Designing for Longevity

While a great design continuing for decades might not be unusual, the Excelsior class stands as a testament to its enduring quality. This design allowed Starfleet to continuously upgrade and modernize, showcasing the evolution of starship technology over time. Similar to Earth's Arleigh Burke class of destroyers, the Excelsior class continued to serve in modernized forms well beyond its initial design, with units serving into the 2050s, making the class 80 years old by current standards. Projects like the B-52 bomber, which is about 70 years old, provide historical context, illustrating how certain design choices endure over time.

The Reality Behind the Design Choices

Despite the widespread admiration for the Excelsior class, it is worth noting that Gene Roddenberry himself was not a fan of the design. However, practical and economic realities prevailed. Producing a filming model with proper lighting, mounting points for motion control filming, and a paint job capable of withstanding close-up shots required substantial investment, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The solution was to simply reuse models from the film era, ensuring high-quality effects without overrunning the budget.

Personal Preferences and Public Perception

In a survey of Star Trek fans, the Excelsior class received generally positive feedback. Only one-fifth (20%) of respondents had negative views about the class, often citing it as “not pretty.” Among these, some still appreciated its functional and aesthetic qualities. Two-fifths had more positive views, while the remaining were neutral. This suggests that while some fans had mixed feelings, the majority found the Excelsior class to be a useful and effective design for its time.

Comparisons to Other Starfleet Classes

For fans of the Federation fleet, the Excelsior class holds a special place. Favorites among these fans include the Constitution II (USS Enterprise NCC 1701-A), the original Excelsior (USS Excelsior NCC-2000), the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-B, the USS Lakota NCC-42768, and the Nebula (USS Sutherland NCC-72015). The Excelsior class, with the USS Sutherland being a prime example, contributes significantly to the Starfleet roster. The class may not be visually the most striking, but its functionality and longevity have ensured its enduring popularity.

Conclusion

While the Excelsior class may not have been the most visually appealing, its design and functionality have made it a reliable and enduring workhorse for Starfleet. The class’s enduring presence and the fact that many fans appreciate its utility and effectiveness underscore its lasting impact on the Star Trek universe. Whether one loves or has mixed feelings about the Excelsior class, it is undeniable that its design holds a special place in the fleet, reflecting the classic design principles that have set Star Trek apart for decades.