Aurora (NC-17740)

The Aurora (NC-17740) was a Federation Class J space cruiser that was in service in the mid-23rd century.

In 2269, the Aurora was stolen by Dr. Sevrin and his followers, Tongo Rad, Adam, Irina Galliulin, Mavig and another girl, in search for the mythical planet Eden. Consequently, it was pursued by the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701).

When the Aurora approached the Romulan Neutral Zone in an attempt to evade pursuit, Captain Kirk deemed it necessary to tractor in the ship. In response, the crew of the Aurora pushed the ship to its limit, causing its engines to seriously overheat. The vessel was destroyed as the Enterprise transported the vessel's complement of six aboard. 

Background
The studio model used in the original edition of "The Way to Eden" for the Aurora was a modification of the Tholian starship that previously appeared in. The modifications between the new design include the addition of warp nacelles to the model, taken from the AMT USS Enterprise model kit, which were attached to the main body via nacelle pylons taken from the AMT D7 class model kit, with the completed model finally being flown in "reverse".

According to Michael Okuda, the CGI Aurora is a slight modification of the Class J CGI model, with larger engines and new windows. The registry NC-17740 on the nacelles, illegible on screen, was the tail number from Matt Jefferies' 1935 Waco YOC biplane. 

Additionally, the CGI Aurora is very similar to Jefferies' original 'teardrop' exterior design for the Class F shuttlecraft. 

An explanation of the strange original version look of the Aurora was attempted in the Star Trek Maps, which stated:


 * "Space cruisers like the S.S. Aurora have been in use for over a century, and are based on a Vulcan design originally used for interplanetary travel. Essentially a 21-meter-long space yacht, space cruisers have a range of several dozen parsecs and can carry provisions for up to six passengers and crew."

The diagram, appearing on Chart B, depicts the Aurora with a registry of NCC-C1200, and a nacelle-style more akin to those found on a Class F shuttlecraft.

External link


Aurora Aurora (NC-17740)