The third Enterprise, NCCÐ1701-B, was an Excelsior class ship built at 
StarfleetÕs Antares Ship Yards. Although the decision to model this ship on 
the failed original experimental Excelsior was at the time controversial, the 
economics of using the existing (and otherwise successful) engineering of 
the basic spaceframe were compelling. The wisdom of this decision has 
been borne out by the large number of Excelsior class starships that still 
serve Starfleet in a variety of capacities. (Indeed, the Excelsior herself 
ultimately proved to be a distinguished part of the Starfleet.) The third 
Enterprise was a key figure in the exploration of space beyond the Gourami 
Sector. This ship and her crew were responsible for mapping over 142 star 
systems, including first contact with seventeen civilizations.  Æ