The USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D, was the fifth starship to bear the name. The Enterprise-D, one of the first Galaxy-class vessels, was commissioned in 2363 and placed under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The Galaxy-class is the largest Starfleet vessel built to date. Galaxy-class ships, including the Enterprise-D, have 42 decks among their primary and secondary hulls. The Enterprise continued its legacy as one of the finest ships in the fleet and was made the flagship of the Federation. The Enterprise is easily recognizable by its traditional shape and components, with a saucer section main hull above a secondary hull that houses the deflector dish and the warp engines. An interesting feature about the Enterprise-D is its ability to seperate its saucer and secondary hulls into two independant ships. The saucer section is equipped with two impulse engines to power the vessel, and the saucer is also designed to land on planetary surfaces in extreme emergencies. The interior of the Galaxy-class Enterprise speaks of luxury and comfortable living. The bridge, located on deck 1 of the saucer, is laid out very nicely and has curves and sweeping lines that are very clean. There is a small presence of metallic coloring, but most of the bridge is warm and welcoming. The Captain's chair is in the center of the bridge, flanked by two seats ( one on either side of him). The tactical/security console is embedded in a beautiful wooden horseshoe-shaped piece that is behind and slightly above the Captain. The aft and, depending on the bridge module, the sides of the bridge have various consoles and readouts for science, engineering, mission operations, and communications. The helm and operations are two independant consoles at the front of the bridge, facing the large viewscreen. Access to the bridge is capable via two turbolifts on the port side, and there is also an emergency turbolift that connects the main bridge to the battle bridge on the secondary hull. The Enterprise-D is also equipped with a large and well-equipped sickbay, although it does not feature the new EMH program (it is assumed that later Galaxy-class vessels came with the program). Main engineering is located down on deck 36 of the vessel and provides access to the ship's systems and the warp core. The Enterprise also has an alternative to a mess hall : Ten Forward, a lounge located on deck ten of the saucer section at the very front of the ship. Ten Forward has large windows that face forward into space, many tables and chairs to accomodate the crew, and a bar along the back wall. Ten Forward has replicators to provide the crew with plenty to eat and drink, as well as a limited stock of non-replicated food and drink. The Enterprise-D was the pride of the Federation, helping to explore strange new worlds and benefit humanity while upholding the Prime Directive. Picard's crew was resourceful in defending Earth against the Borg, encountering Q, and having numerous encounters with the Romulans, Klingons, and Cardassians. The Enterprise was destroyed only 8 years into its life, after a violent encounter at Veridian III.