Rigel class (LUG)

Rigel class

Rigel class (LUG 25100)

Commissioned	2327
Length	215m
Decks	6
Transporters	Personnel: 2 Emergency: 2 Cargo: 2
Crew	70
Passengers	125
Evacuation Limit	400
Velocity	Cruising: Warp 5 Maximum: Warp 9 Emergency: Warp 9.2 for 12 hours
Weapons	Type VII Phaser arrays 2 torpedo launchers; 75 Type II Photon Torpedoes

The Rigel class was originally designed to specifications outlined in the Coreward Exploratory Directive of 2321, which was largely responsible for the mid-century expansion of the United Federation of Planets along its coreward border between the Alpha and Beta quadrants; Rigel class scouts were often at the forefront of the contacts and discoveries made in the region.^[1]

Due to their long-range capabilities and self-sufficiency, Rigel class scouts became a staple of the Federation Merchant Marine refit program. While the Merchant Marine also built its own mission-specific vessels and transports, the refit program mandated the refit—and in some cases redesign—of older Starfleet models that would otherwise be relegated to orbital salvage yards. The versatility of the Rigel class as deep space transports, as well as their proven exploratory capabilities, allowed them to assume primary roles in the Merchant Marine fleet.^[1]