The evolution of the Starship Enterprise

Enterprise NX-01 (2001)

Appears in: Enterprise

Star Fact: The NX-01 was the first NX class starship, despite the fact it looks like it was designed on a much fancier computer than the NX of Kirk's era. Captained by Jonathan Archer, who looks a lot like that bloke out of Quantum Leap.

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) (1966 - 1984)

Appears in: Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, Star Trek II The Search For Spock.

Star Fact: The NCC-1701 is the first United Federation of Planets starship to carry the name Enterprise. Which makes us wonder why the TV show 'Enterprise' was called Enterprise if the ship in it wasn't an Enterprise. Captained by James T Kirk who used it to get laid a lot.

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) (1986 1991)

Appears In: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Star Fact: No unauthorised hand phaser could be shot above stun aboard the NCC-1701-A without an alarm sounding. Which would have made unexpected gunfights really annoying, we reckon.

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B) (1994)

Appears In: Star Trek: Generations

Star Fact: The most hated of all the NCCs; it's the one the essentially killed Captain Kirk (in a way). The metal bastard. Captained by John Harrison, who looks a lot like Ferris Bueller's mate Cameron.

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-C) (1987)

Appears In: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Fact: The Enterprise C only appears in one episode of TNG, making it the second least glimpsed ship on our list. It's also one of the most troublesome, accidentally stating a war between the Federation and Klingons, a mess which required a bit of time travel to sort out.

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) (1987 - 1994)

Appears In: Star Trek: TNG, Generations

Star Fact: The Enterprise D took part in the best bit of Generations, when the saucer bit seperates from the main ship and crashes on Veridian III. Ace. It was also the first ship to make contact with the Borg, making it pretty bad-ass in our book.

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E) (1996 2002)

Appears in: Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Nemesis

Star Fact: The only Enterprise to be assimilated by the Borg, which technically makes her a baddy. She's still not as hated as the NCC-1701-B. That metal bastard.

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-J) (2001)

Appears In: Enterprise (for about five seconds)

Star Fact: The least glimpsed ship on the list, NCC-1701-J is a shy ship, used only to being seen during time travel scenes in unloved Star Trek spin-offs.

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) 2 (2009)

Appears In: Star Trek (2009)

Star Fact: Well, no spoilers... But Mr Abrams he say: ""If you're going to do Star Trek , there are many things you cannot change. The Enterprise is a visual touchstone for so many people. So if you're going to do the Enterprise, it'd better look like the Enterprise, because otherwise, what are you doing?"