Antares class (carrier)

File:AntaresEnterprise.jpg

Escorted by the USS Enterprise-D.

File:Antares-class carrier.jpg

Near Derna.

File:AntaresClassCarrierAft.jpg

Docked at DS9.

The Antares-class transports were antiquated vessels used during the 24th century by the Bajorans during and following the Occupation of Bajor. These vessels were limited to half impulse and possessed no visual communication capabilities. (TNG: "Ensign Ro")

In 2368, an Antares-class carrier was used to mislead Cardassian forces into attacking what they believed was a group of Bajoran terrorists traveling from Valo I to Valo III. The empty ship was escorted by the USS Enterprise-D, but would be destroyed by two Type-3 Galor-class warships, providing evidence that Starfleet Admiral Kennelly had been collaborating with the Cardassians. (TNG: "Ensign Ro")

The Bajorans frequently used Antares-class transports to make routine stops at Deep Space 9. They carry Bajoran civilians, government officials, Vedeks and occasionally even the Kai. Jake Sisko and Nog used to enjoy watching the Bajoran girls among those disembarking from these vessels at the stations airlocks.

Vedek Bareil Antos was injured on an Antares-class transport en route to Deep Space 9 when a micro-fracture ruptured in one of its warp plasma conduits and the entire relay system exploded. Kai Winn Adami was also on board. The radiation leak from a loose plasma coil prevented transporter beam-off.

Antares-class carriers were also utilized in the Bajoran blockade of Derna against the Romulans by Colonel Kira in 2375.

Star Trek: The Next Generation writer/consultant Naren Shankar suggested that the Bajoran cargo vessels in TNG: "Ensign Ro" be designated as Antares-class ships as tip of the hat to TOS: "Charlie X".

Appearances

• TNG: "Ensign Ro"
• DS9:
  • "A Man Alone"
  • "Shadowplay"
  • "Take Me Out to the Holosuite"
  • "The Collaborator"
  • "The Reckoning"
  • "Shadows and Symbols"