Initially commissioned circa 2245, this type of Federation starship is one of the most well-known. The original U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701) is of this class. Others have included the U.S.S. Excalibur (NCC-1664), the U.S.S. Exeter (NCC-1672) and the U.S.S. Potemkin (NCC-1657).

This refit of the old Constitution-class is best evidenced via the U.S.S. Enterprise, under the command of a then-Admiral Kirk, circa 2271. This class of starship featured an increase in crew compliment from its predecessor to approximately 520 persons. Also new to this refitted class were a virtual upgrade of all key systems.

This type of Federation starship was introduced prior to 2285. The Miranda-class are similar to Soyuz-class ships, and have nacelles below their saucer sections. The Reliant and Saratoga were Miranda-class ships.

This Federation starship is often used for scientific missions. The U.S.S. Grissom was of the Oberth-class. While in orbit of the Genesis Planet, Grissom was destroyed by Commander Kruge. At the Battle of Wolf 359, an Oberth-class starship in the Saratoga's battle group was destroyed by the Borg.

This older Starfleet class—a predecessor or variation of the Miranda-class—has not been in service since 2288, a decade after a ship of this class, the U.S.S. Bozeman, famously disappeared into a temporal casualty loop.

A Class III Carrier (or, third-class) is the designation used to classify a type of 23rd century pod carrier capable of hauling several metric tons of cargo as well as several hundred passengers.