The BUDGET Galaxy-class - Nebula-class - Star Trek Starships Explained

[@jadynduropan]

I love the "hatchback" versions of the Starfleet capital ships. Miranda, Centaur, Nebula, Parliament are all pretty cool ships to me.

[@KH4444444444N]

I dig the Centaur tbh. She's tight and maneuverable.

[@laurentecrivain6944]

Ah, the Centaur-class ships, the "hatchback" style version of the Excelsior-class vessels.

[@BattleshipAgincourt]

Nebula class appears about the same mass, just without the 'neck.' This actually makes for a more efficient shield bubble than Galaxy.

[@damocles8417]

It also has the modular addition bar. The Galaxy has no module add on.

[@randybentley2633]

One has to wonder if the third pylon of the Galaxy X might've been better served, tactically, with a torpedo pod...?

[@SiXiam]

@@randybentley2633 I think it is whatever quantum slipstream demands the pylon to be.

[@NatureismyHome-cu6zs]

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.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

roughly same mass but more compact rotational inertia, so, more maneuverability.

[@deusexaethera]

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.

[@dreamingflurry2729]

Well, the Galaxy has more room for upgrades - hell, the future version with the Spinal-Phaser-Lance shows how far you can take a Galaxy-Class (especially if you discard stupid treaties like the Treaty of Algeron with the cloaking devices being banned)...I don't dislike this ship mind you, but frankly a Galaxy-Class is better (we see it when the Enterprise D goes after the Phoenix!)

[@troyspencer753]

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.

[@Colin_]

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.

[@AncalagonTheDread]

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!) 😁

[@RLuke103]

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.

[@roleplayer5564]

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.

[@StephenLeGresley]

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.

[@aldousjosea.castro1887]

Reliant was a Light Cruiser to the Enterprise's Heavy. Nebula has the same class as Galaxy.

[@StephenLeGresley]

@@aldousjosea.castro1887 And your point? The reliant still packed quite a punch as far as it's weapons capablity.

[@jameslewis2635]

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.

[@Yeet_Tsavo]

Same.

[@Stormprince76er]

I totally thought the same!!

[@NeonVisual]

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.

[@FCVPI99]

this ship was designed to be a galaxy style Miranda ...

[@20JK10]

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.

[@00nick7]

For me, the Nebula-class is to the Galaxy-class as Miranda-class is to Constitution-class.

[@ImperialAtlantis]

That's what I always thought

[@tinman3586]

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.

[@dying101666]

Yep

[@woody32ethan]

nebula class has the nice features from the galaxy without the hideous neck, AND it has modular bits. Perfect

[@Jestersage]

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.

[@canisarcani]

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

[@hilop33]

yes :3

[@lovipoekimo176]

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".

[@sarahnachtrose]

One of my favorite ships in Star Trek Online. For fun, I often refer to the ship in the game as "A galaxy ship that wasn't fast enough when the ESD (Earth Space Dock) closed the door."

[@lockwoodthexton]

Nebula is basically the same mass and displacement as the Galaxy, just a different configuration.

[@HylianFox3]

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.

[@alanmike6883]

And it's mission Pod on top was moddable depending on the mission

[@dermagnus8482]

@@lockwoodthexton I like the Nebula far more than the Galaxy. Even better without the stupid separation function.

[@andrewtaylor940]

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.

[@Chuck-PK]

Imo a Nebula with the sensor/utility pod should have a far greater mass than any Galaxy despite the absence of a 'neck'

[@davidadiwego4608]

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.

[@manw3bttcks]

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

[@AutumnRaventree]

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.

[@setsuna200]

I knew the Melbourne wasn't a Galaxy class Starship. But i am glad i found out it was a Nebula Class Starship.

[@TrentonBennett]

*Using Smith voice*: MIIIIIIIISTER Adam! Welcome back, we.......missed you. In all seriousness welcome back I actually missed hearing your voice for these videos. For which particular version of the Nebula class I like .... I prefer the one with the weapons pod like the Sutherland has...or had...? I will admit every time I reference the term "star drive", I always reference in my head to what you say... "Poor star drive" lol. I can't get it out of my head now. Anyways glad you had a fun time on vacation. Everyone needs one now and then.

[@xedanis101]

Oh God now I'm scared that Hugo Weaving is after me. Could be worse. I admire the man. 😅 Thanks so much! It's good to be back!

[@stevestockwell-qm8wr]

I love the Nebula Class, Great design

[@pappaV001]

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

[@Tanislarnet]

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...

[@MonteGruhlke]

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.

[@jamesgriffis9456]

Could you do a segment on the archer class or have you done one already...thanks

[@darklaps]

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.

[@Euripides_Panz]

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.

[@ArenTrel]

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.

[@disgruntled_veteran]

Nebula Class was the first ST ship I ever fell in love with.

[@futo]

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.

[@zalaathrun20]

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.

[@Colin_]

I thought the Melbourne was an Ambassador class.

[@dennisud]

Good to hear from you Adam! As, for what Battleship Agincourt, I agree fully!

[@dgthe3]

The layout on the nebbie's makes more sense than the galaxies.

[@TheMsLourdes]

Nebula Class with the cheesewedge please! TNG Era... Such a gorgeous ship

[@olaminabryan8026]

Wasnt the melbourne a Excelsior class?

[@Technodreamer]

Any thoughts on the Monitor-class variation of the Nebula design? It's basically just "swap the dorito chip for another hangar bay".

[@alanhouk1427]

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

[@FluxDeimos]

The Nebula class has the whole word soup of military buzzwords! MODULAR TACTICAL DYNAMIC lol

[@TheWoblinGoblin]

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.

[@ApexwithDavin]

Yay. Two Lt Commander Adam videos! He might be back, folks! Lt Commander Adam Ship reviews are back, I hope!

[@shanenolan5625]

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

[@tabxtra7057]

In most thing it was just as good an galaxy class, just a little slower, and not as capable of long deployments.

[@shanenolan5625]

@@tabxtra7057 agreed

[@DavidFerriday]

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]

200 meters isnt really slightly

[@paulrasmussen8953]

Considering they only planned for 6 galaxys to be built the nebula was the mass produce variant

[@Euripides_Panz]

​@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.

[@Baz_R]

Rumour has it you were spotted buying several Horga'hn at the gift shop.

[@Arcboltkonrad13]

I main the Sutherland class, the 2410's variant from Star Trek Online (and made canon in Picard) and the mission pod I use is a round one that is basically a fusion of the both the triangle pod and the round pod from the Nebula. I fluffed it that it is a sensors-and-missile pod

[@ets2atstruckermartin527]

So when there are different modules for the nebula-class installed, the shuttlehangar1 from decks 3-5 can quickly adjust for the modules same? As we can see in minute 0:16

[@j.rileyindependentproductions]

12:15 Incorrect... it was the SECOND, MODERN, non-heroship (Obirth class, Excelsior class, and Miranda class plus variants like the Constellation class being non-modern) they had that was not built purposely to be destroyed. The first being the Ambassador class the season prior. And yes, in a reality in which 80 to 100-year-old ship designs are still used A LOT, a 25-year-old ship design is modern.

[@michaeldemarco9950]

Why is it, when listening to Lieutenant Commander Adam, I see Captain Morgan Bateson (Fraser Crane) (Kelsey Grammer) ?

[@teamdoghouse82880]

I always loved the Nebula class. They are my favorite ship class in Bridge Commander.

[@radishdalek]

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.

[@xedanis101]

#WelshTrek for the win.

[@xedanis101]

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.

[@KuDastardly]

Basically, the Nebula-class is the Miranda-class configuration of a Galaxy-class, just like how the Centaur-class is the Miranda-class configuration of an Excelsior-class, or the Luna-class is the Miranda-class configuration of a Sovereign-class.

[@fedricojgarza464]

I get the feeling Adam say poor star Drive 🙏❤

[@jameskelly3502]

1 detail about the Nebula Class, that I've heard, is that there's a configuration that allows it to dock with a separated saucer section and transport it, at warp, to a StarBase. This makes a lot of sense to me. And would explain why a Nebula Class was sent to recover the Enterprise crew at the end of ST: Generations. The final season of ST: Picard would seem to validate this as a possibility.

[@Firious2]

Mom can we get a Galaxy Class? No we have a Galaxy Class at home. Galaxy class at home:

[@Zeithri]

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_ )

[@christopherbrandt3703]

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.

[@paradigmlawrence7506]

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.

[@Razorgeist]

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.

[@sebwilkins]

Pretty sure Hansen commanded a Galaxy class at Wolf 359 per the script and the battle bridge shown in the episode.

[@crazysnake1096]

The cheese-wedge and I would name it "USS Lollipop"

[@Kelon185]

Nebula Class is a Miranda of the Galaxy, so why didn't people hate on the Miranda? (they probably did but idk)

[@vegeta002]

Fun fact; the Phoenix-style superstructure wasn't meant as a variant of the ship; it was never seen again because the shows crew hated how it looked and felt it "didn't fit" the ship, resulting in it being flat-out _replaced_ by the triangular version. Making the existence of the triangular version likely to be a retcon.

[@thegray5730]

Okay, I admit it...the "Dorito pod" was good.

[@NoFormalTraining]

To me, the Nebula class has always been to the Galaxy class what the Miranda class was to the Constitution class.

[@DragoonMS]

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*.

[@thunderboltcougar5626]

@@DragoonMS miranda style version for excelsior is the centaur class.

[@DragoonMS]

@@thunderboltcougar5626 So there is one? Interesting. Gonna have to look up the Centaur class.

[@robertespley248]

The ending of Picard S3 wouldve been totally different if that was the only stardrive section available to Geordi 😂

[@lilcwa]

Nebula class has always rocked! Respect its versatility!

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Yo-Yo Dyne -- hee hee hee!!! "No matter where you go, there you are...."

[@Fred-rv2tu]

My Nebula would be the more heavily armed variant and Named the Ticonderoga.

[@darthbloodborn]

hey trek central I love the work u do keep it up my friend😊

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

In the video games Star Trek: Armada and Star Trek: Armada II, the Nebula-class is depicted as a "science ship"; that is, it has four special weapons where other ship classes have just one. The special weapons allow the Nebula-class to disrupt enemy shields, destroy incoming torpedoes, temporarily duplicate an allied ship, or send an engineering team to an allied ship or station to repair its systems.

[@larqven0192]

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!).

[@TerranceChilds-ui8nh]

The great many Kardashians no longer alive because of been Maxwell and a nebula class starship let's not underestimate this ship

[@timjerrom7173]

Only one thing about the Nebula class I'm not sure about, where are it's impulse engines?

[@baystated]

Does the "grip handle" looking pylon supporting the tactical variant's pod have any relationship to the Riker's Q-alternate-future Enterprise in All Good Things's third-nacelle-support structure?

[@Devo77x]

If I were to command a Nebula class starship it would be the "Chesse wedge" and I call it the USS Ashville.

[@archabaddon]

I always thought the Battle of Wolf 359 was worse. If the fleet was "decimated," that means that there was still 90% of the fleet left, and that's pretty good odds of survival honestly 😅 (Perhaps the fleet was "obliterated" instead?)

[@DarinRWagner]

Negative points for misuse of the terms "decimated" and "leftenant."

[@90lancaster]

Oh good a video with the better presenter "Result"

[@davidsharp9166]

Nebula class always reminded me off the Miranda Class. With the Pod above the saucer and nacelles below

[@samuellawrencesbookclub8250]

It always perplexes me that they use the Battle-Bridge set for the Nebula class bridge. It is so clear that the primary hull is taken directly from the Galaxy, it would make so much more sense to re-use the Enterprise-D bridge.

[@tabxtra7057]

according to memory-alpha It was prematurely deployed, despite the yard superintendent's belief the ship was not ready for launch.

[@tabxtra7057]

lol Trek Central said the same two minutes after I type it:)

[@ricardodiaz7270]

Love the disappearing damaged saucer at 14:06

[@m8rshall]

Space Pizza cutter FTW!

[@doc_havoc00heavywing37]

Anyone else had the thought about a Nebula class with a heavy weapons pod? Like two PPC or other cannons

[@FeeriiEekii]

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

[@berthulf]

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...

[@victoryleadership1]

Shuttle approaches to and from the main shuttle bay seems like the maneuver would have been a bit tricky.

[@TerranceChilds-ui8nh]

The cardassians got lucky that the federation don't want to win the board war

[@aldousjosea.castro1887]

What episode was Shelby where she died?

[@captainsheppard1131]

I love this one. It just gets stuff done.

[@Revi2151]

Ah the Nebula. Always loved the underslung nacelle designs and this is my favourite!

[@yomogami4561]

i would have had a science one named intrepid after the st:tos uss intrepid the vulcan crewed constitution

[@anonymous.nobody]

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.

[@1974pieter]

Always loved the Nebula class...a hatchback Galaxy class...😊

[@jonathankleinow2073]

I always thought the "cheese wedge" weapons pod should have been able to fire, like, 20 photon torpedoes at once. Also, what's with the disappearing debris from the Wolf 359 scene?

[@terrywest111]

I love this ship! One of my personal favorites from the TNG era. I often hoped we'd get to spend more time aboard one, since they seemed to be so common in the TNG era fleet.

[@stevebotham2018]

I'll take a cheese wedge armed with quantum cheese bits

[@kdisley]

I always think of the Nebula class as the Ford Ka to the Galaxy's Mondeo... smaller, cheaper but still a perfectly respectable vehicle, and it even comes with a roofrack as standard!