This is the first of a series that will present the registry numbers and names (and ship pennants) of notable Starfleet Vessels throughout the Star Trek franchise, starting at the beginning.

The Enterprise NX-01 was an NX class vessel established by a Pre-Federation Starfleet in the mid 22nd century. It was the first vessel of its class, and the first Earth-based vessel to have a warp engine capable of traveling at the top speed of Warp 5, which would put thousands of inhabited planets not previously explored at arms reach of Earth. Officially launched on April 16, 2151, and under the command of Captain Jonathan Archer, this vessel was pivotal in establishing newly explored territories, averting several galactic threats, and establishing an interplanetary alliance between species not before known to coexist, including Vulcans, Tellarites, and Andorians, effectively paving the way for what would become the United Federation of Planets.