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star trek - Why did flagship starships all get the name Enterprise?


All of the flagship starships of humanity/the Federation get the name Enterprise: Enterprise NX-01, USS Enterprise NCC-1701, USS Enterprise NCC-1701 D, etc.



Flagships of the United Federation of Planets could be named under a naming convention following from the first Warp 5 starship of humanity, the Enterprise NX-01 (humans were the dominant race in the Federation after all). But, how did Enterprise NX-01 get its name? And how did this naming convention arise?


What's the in-universe history behind this naming?



Answer



Captain Decker showing Ilia the ships named "Enterprise" in Star Trek: The Motion Picture:


Enterprises


And from Enterprise history on Memory Alpha:



  • First image: The Enterprise was a noted sailing frigate, either of the Royal Navy or of the US Navy. She was active in the late 18th century. (ENT: "United")

  • Second image: The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was an aircraft carrier that served in World War II. (ENT: "Storm Front") Its successor was the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), which was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

  • Third image: The first space shuttle was the Enterprise OV-101. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)



  • Fourth image: An early Warp starship was the USS Enterprise (XCV 330). (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

    • Notable for not having the traditional nacelles+saucer design of usual Starfleet ships.



  • Fifth image: The original NCC-1701 from The Original Series. (At least according to Memory Alpha. I don't recognize it from the above screenshot.. Odd shadows.)


Not in the above, but featured in the opening sequence of Star Trek: Enterprise:




  • The HMS Enterprize was a noted sailing ship of the British Royal Navy. A galleon, she was active sometime between the 16th century and the early 18th century.


Additionally, I'm fairly certain Captain Archer had a similar scene as the above, where he explains the history of the name "Enterprise" to Commander Shran. I don't recall which episode, though..


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