EXPLORER CLASS RESEARCH SHIP:
CLASSIFICATION: Explorer (Research/Construction Ship)
LENGTH: 6,103 meters
TONNAGE: 27,500,370 metric tons
MANEUVERABILITY: Class E
CREW: 2,400
TROOPS: N/A
FIGHTER(s): 24 SA-23A-C Starfuries
POWER SOURCE: 8 General Fusion C-600 Fusion Reactors - Power Output 800,000 Terawatts
DURATION: 2 Years before re-fueling
WEAPONS: 12 Pulse Cannons
DEFENSES: 18 meter re-enforced armor - 12 Mk. I Defense Grid Energy Projectors

Explorer class ships are combination Jump-Gate construction/scientific research vessels dedicated to the peaceful exploration of space and the expansion of the Earth Alliance. Measuring some 6.1 kilometers (3.8 miles) in length, the Explorer class ship is the single largest starship in the Earthforce Navy. Though operated exclusively by the military, all Explorer class ships have a crew compliment consisting primarily of civilian scientists, researchers and engineers/work crews for the construction of Jump-Gates.

The primary mission of all Explorer ships is research and exploration, thus only posses moderate defenses consisting of a series of defensive pulse cannons and two squadrons of Starfuries. This makes Explorer ships large, ill defended targets. Their massive Jump engines and powerful fusion reactors however, enables Explorer class vessels to quickly escape dangerous situations.

Explorer ships spend a great deal of their time exploring the "RIM", the uncharted and unexplored areas of space that have not been claimed by any known race. Thus Explorer ships are often the first class of vessel unknown alien races come across, making the crews of these ships, more often than not, the first humans to make contact with many new races. As the slightest misinterpreted action can result in tragedy, the crews and commanding officers of Explorer ships are extremely well versed in “First Contact” procedures.

Due to Explorer class ships dominating the exploration field, they are equipped with the latest in sensor and communications technology, allowing greater ease in contacting and communicating with different alien species. Also, several large planetary drop ships allow Explorer ships to chart and explore entire planets within a few short weeks, laying the foundation for a more detailed expedition.

Though Explorer class ships have more than enough power to jump into hyperspace and go where they will, the bulk of an Explorer class ship's mass consist of spare parts with which to build Jump Gates. The continual construction and distribution of Jump Gates makes it easier for other Earth Alliance vessels and commercial ship to jump into new areas of space. This allows the Earth Alliance with a quick and effective way to quickly expand humanities sphere of influence, as well as to gain valuable resources and revenue, as Earth can charge the governments of other races for use of Alliance Jump Gates.

(Pictured above is the explorer ship "EAS Cortez", which visited Babylon 5 in 2259.").