The USS Grissom (NCC-638) was a Federation Oberth-class science vessel that was in service with Starfleet in the late 23rd century. In 2285, the Grissom and her crew were under the command of Captain J.T. Esteban.
In that year, the Grissom transported Lieutenant Saavik and David Marcus to the Genesis Planet in order to conduct scientific studies on the newly-formed world. While in orbit, however, they discovered the photon tube in which Captain Spock's body had been ejected from the USS Enterprise. In addition, sensors registered an animal lifeform on the surface, something previously thought to be impossible. Electing to investigate further, Saavik and David beamed down to the planet's surface while the Grissom monitored their progress.
While Saavik and David were on the surface, however, the Grissom came under attack by A Klingon Bird-of-Prey commanded by Kruge, a Klingon commander intent on exploiting the Genesis technology as a weapon. Although it was Kruge's intention to simply disable the Grissom so that he might take prisoners, the ship was completely destroyed, in what his gunner described as "a lucky shot." The gunner was summarily executed by Kruge immediately after. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
USS Grissom personnel
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Appendices
Background
According to the Star Trek Encyclopedia, the USS Grissom was named after 20th century astronaut Gus Grissom, one of the original Mercury Seven, and the designated commander of the aborted Apollo 1 mission, who died in the tragic Apollo 1 fire.
The model is now part of ScienceFictionArchives.com collections. [1]
Apocrypha
A later, Excelsior-class USS Grissom was featured in the Star Trek: New Frontier novel Once Burned. This may be the ship mentioned destroyed during the Dominion War in DS9: "Field of Fire".
External link
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