The USS Challenger (NCC-2032) was a Federation starship operating in the 23rd century.
In 2293, the Challenger was on an undisclosed mission for Starfleet near Klingon territory. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
Background
This ship is not related to the Template:ShipClass of starships, which were employed during the 2360s.
In the non-canon board game Star Fleet Battles, USS Challenger is a Byrd-class Galactic Survey Cruiser, a modification of the Template:ShipClass which replaces the photon torpedoes with special scientific sensor equipment. As a tribute to the space shuttle Challenger, USS Challenger is never to be used in any story or scenario where it could possibly be destroyed. (citation needed • edit)
This starship may have been named after the British corvette HMS Challenger which became the first ship in 1872 to chart the depths of the Earth's oceans. Later ships, including the Apollo Lunar Module Challenger and the space shuttle Challenger, were named in honor of this 19th century ship.
According to a ship list included in the plans, and not seen in the extended cut of the movie, the Challenger was commanded by M. Michaels, and the ship was located in Sector 21166.
The captain was named after the sixth movie's set decorator Mickey S. Michaels. (citation needed • edit)