The Constitution class starship is perhaps one of the most famous starship designs of the 23rd Century. The USS Potemkin is one of the most famous members of this class. Potemkin was one of the class to survive the 5-year mission profile, during the mission the Potemkin was fired upon during the disasterous M-5 computer tests.
The Potemkin made an important [and classified] study and First Contact mission to the Solistarus system. Stardate 7441.5 saw the U.S.S. Potemkin, under the command of Captain Piotr Ariapov, sent to the Solistarus system to make first contact with the Mag'ii'kitaean race indiginous on the third planet. Sensor scans by Commander Ashanti showed there to be little signs of modern civilisation, save small pockets of towns and cities. Upon beaming down, the landing party was soon overwhelmed by the technology they saw, or rather the subtle technology they did not see. In this case, Starfleet Intelligence hadn't recognised the technology that the Mag'ii'kitaeans possessed.
Later details of the mission are still classified. What is known is that the Mag'ii'kitaeans officially stated they were not ready for regular contact with the Federation. Captain Ariapov respected this and reported back to Starfleet Command that the planet be left alone until a later time chosen by the Mag'ii'kitaeans themselves.
The dedication plaque of the U.S.S. Potemkin, as worn on the ship from 2277 and her refit, reads 'Terpenie i trud vsyo peretrut', which is a russian proverb translating as 'Patience and hard work will overcome everything' [Mr Chekov would be proud of it!].
By the turn of the twenty-fourth century, USS Potemkin was deemed to be an old ship, she was fifty years old and had been through many stresses in her career. Therefore she was selected to be amongst the Constitution class vessels to be replaced by an Excelsior class namesake, along with Farragut, Lexington and the earlier Yorktown [Author Note: Hood and Intrepid were spared for later Excelsior class hulls]. USS Potemkin was refit ready for the 24th Century.
Other Constitution class starships continue to serve the fleet, most notably the Republic and the Hood. Constitution class starships still find many uses, including transporting ambassadors and flag officers, as well as patrolling the borders and colony resupply missions.
The name Potemkin will live on, exploring new worlds, seeking out new life and new civilisations...
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Later details of the mission are still classified. What is known is that the Mag'ii'kitaeans officially stated they were not ready for regular contact with the Federation. Captain Ariapov respected this and reported back to Starfleet Command that the planet be left alone until a later time chosen by the Mag'ii'kitaeans themselves.