Design History

USS Eventide (NCC-1047)

Bonaventure-class (Mark II)

Design History

On the drawing boards as early as 2163, the Bonaventure Class Development Project would take some fifteen years to see fruition. One of the project's designers was Dr. Tobin Dax, a Trill resident of Vulcan.

With a secondary hull threaded through the center of the primary hull, rather than as a distinct body connected through a "neck," Bonaventure-class vessels otherwise featured the saucer-and-twin-nacelle design that had become common among Starfleet vessels. Dax strongly believed that the saucer and nacelle combination was better suited for a long-term, varied mission profile, rather than the warp rings of Vulcan design, or the dart-like shapes of Andorian craft.

Technologies from all members of the Federation were incorporated into the Bonaventure design. These included Vulcan tractor beams and sensors, weapons and shield technology from Andoria and Tellar.

The Cochrane Institute of Alpha Centauri worked extensively on the project, developing next generation navcom and deflector tech specifically for use aboard the Bonaventure.

Other Federation member contributions included materials for the hull plating and electro-plasma control systems from the Ithenites. Much of the medical technology in the Bonaventure sickbay was provided by Rigel V and Denobula, communications enhancements were made by the Arkenites. Environmental controls, including radiation shielding and waste reclamation and recycling systems were designed by the Kaferians.

The Mark-II was conceived in 2170 with an emphasis on self-sufficiency--not requiring resupply as frequently as the Mark-I design. This version also reduced weapon capabilities, giving way to more advanced sensors, science labs, cold storage, and a dedicated on-board greenhouse.

Overall, the Bonaventure project was considered a great success -- especially in regards to its goal of unifying Starfleet -- it proved too expensive to field quickly or in great numbers.