Captain's yacht

In the Star Trek science fiction universe, the Captain's Yacht is an auxiliary vessel. This vessel is normally docked in its own special bay at the bottom of the saucer section.

"Enterprise-D"

The Galaxy Class "Enterprise-D" was known to have a Captain's yacht (suggested name: "Calypso"). This yacht was never seen in use on any episode or movie where the "Enterprise-D" appeared. The producers briefly considered using it for the second season episode "Samaritan Snare" for transporting Captain Picard to Starbase 515 for his heart surgery, but decided to use a shuttlecraft instead. The vessel was elliptical in shape. While it could be detached safely at speeds up to warp 7, it was not capable of warp power itself. It is unknown if the yacht had any weaponry. The "" contains a detailed description of the Captain's yacht.

"Enterprise-E"

The Sovereign Class "Enterprise-E" also had a Captain's yacht, the "Cousteau". This yacht was seen in the movie "". This vessel also was normally housed in a special bay at the bottom of the saucer section. Unlike the "Enterprise-D" this yacht was capable of warp speeds. During the course of events featured in "Insurrection", Picard and his senior staff use the yacht to travel to the Ba'ku planet in order to assist the natives from being relocated against their will. Data later used the yacht to stage a distraction while Picard was working to disable the Son'a ship. The yacht was destroyed moments after Data transported out (as seen in a deleted scene on the special edition DVD).

"Voyager"

The Intrepid Class "Voyager" had an equivalent of a captain's yacht, called the Aeroshuttle, docked on the bottom of the primary hull. As with the "Enterprise-Ds yacht, "Voyager's" Aeroshuttle was never explicitly shown during the series ', but could be seen on any illustration of the Voyager's hull. In such illustrations, the vehicle appeared similar in shape to a runabout (Danube class starship) with wings. When detached, it was capable of atmospheric flight as well as interstellar travel at speeds up to warp 3. The craft is described in Rick Sternbach's "" article, "Intrepid-Class Lineage." The resemblance to the runabout was not accidental, since it was intended that Aeroshuttle interiors would be represented by existing or redressed runabout shooting sets. It has been seen in use in the "Star Trek: Voyager" comic books.

"Equinox"

The Nova Class "USS Equinox" is the only other starship class known to have a similar vehicle, the Waverider shuttlecraft. Although it was never seen in action, the Waverider could be readily identified in the MSD (Master Systems Display) of a Nova-class vessel ("" "Equinox, Part I"). The craft's aerodynamic shape suggested that this craft was designed solely for operating within a planet's atmosphere. It has been used in the comics.

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