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Originally conceived as a deep-space Explorer and Reconnaissance Vessel in the early 2380s, the Vesta-class was beset by technical issues and ultimately suspended as the First General War loomed. The project was revived as part of the [[Fleet Modernization Program]] in 2417, intended to supplement the new [[Beckett Class Star Cruiser|Beckett Class]] and replace the ageing and increasingly maintenance-heavy [[Avenger Class Heavy Cruiser|Avenger]] and [[Zeus Class Light Cruiser|Zeus]] classes as a middleweight explorer that combined the strengths of both vessels and go some way to negate the glaring weaknesses in the previous design; which had been built as warships first, and explorers second.
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[[image:Vesta.png|right|thumb|185x185px|Vesta-class Development Patch]]
The '''Vesta-class Explorer''' is a [[Star Fleet]] [[starship]] class, of [['''Explorer]] ''' type in use from 2419.
[[image:vestafront.jpg|right|thumb|Vesta Forward]]
[[image:vestaback.jpg|right|thumb|Vesta Rear]]
== History ==
Originally conceived as a deep-space Explorer and Reconnaissance Vessel in the early 2380s, the Vesta-class was beset by technical issues and ultimately suspended as the First General War loomed. The project was revived as part of the [[Fleet Modernization Program]] in 2417, intended to supplement the new [[Beckett Class Star Cruiser|Beckett Class]] and replace the ageing and increasingly maintenance-heavy [[Avenger Class Heavy Cruiser|Avenger]] and [[Zeus Class Light Cruiser|Zeus]] classes as a middleweight explorer that combined the strengths of both vessels and go some way to negate the glaring weaknesses in the previous design; which had been built as warships first, and explorers second.
[[image:vestaside.jpg|right|thumb|Vesta Side]]
The earliest ships in the class would also serve as testbeds for new technologies, including Holographic Displays, a [[Multidimensional Wave-function Analysis Module]], and [[Quantum Slipstream Drive]]; the latter having finally been deemed viable forty years following the concept's initial transmission from the ill-fated USS Voyager. Additionally, the computer system also features an holographic avatar with limited artificial intelligence that is designed to replace the computer's traditional interactive mode. This avatar does not replace the computer, and only responds when called by name. The avatar cannot be physically interacted with, and projectors are only mounted in command and control areas, the only exception being Sickbay, where the avatar also acts as the vessel's [[Emergency Medical Hologram]].
The Vesta-class also boasts an expansive Shuttlebay, capable of holding eight Shuttles and a Runabout, with an expanded area to accommodate larger vessels such as [[Seleya Class|Captain's Yacht]]s or [[Cicero Class|Support Escort]]s. This also allows for a further eight Shuttles or six Runabouts may be carried; allowing the Vesta to act as a "pocket carrier" in emergency situations such as planetary disasters.
[[image:vestatop.jpg|right|thumb|Vesta Dorsal]]
Like the Beckett-class, the Vesta-class differed from its forebears by returning to a predominantly Array-based Phaser system, creating greater coverage of fire. The number of Torpedo Launchers was reduced to four, but technological advances allowed these tubes to rapid-fire torpedoes rather than being forced to risk "stacking" them in the launch chamber. The final addition was the inclusion of two Type-G cannons in the ship's bow, the multi-function weapons enabling the ship to destroy incoming torpedoes, while also granting it the firepower to punch through any blockade with ease.
[[image:vestabottom.jpg|right|thumb|Vesta Ventral]]
The prototype vessel, the ''USS Vesta, EX-10000'', was launched in September 2418. The trials were successful but highlighted some failings in the design, though relatively minor compared to those found in the [[USS Beckett, CX-2000|Beckett]]. These flaws had been mostly ironed out by early 2419, and the first production model is expected to launch soon.
[[image:vestaperspective.jpg|right|thumb|Vesta Perspective]]
[[image:vestaclass1.jpg|right|thumb|Vesta Class Explorer]]
[[image:vestaclass2.jpg|right|thumb|Vesta Class Explorer]]
== Specifications ==
