A compact Starfleet science vessel class of the 2370s, built for planetary survey work rather than long-range deep space exploration.
The Nova-class was a small Starfleet starship designed for scientific and planetary survey missions within reach of Federation support. Its compact hull carried a modest crew, limited armament and few of the reserves that larger explorers could draw on during long voyages.
The best-known ship of the class was the USS Equinox under Captain Rudy Ransom, which was pulled into the Delta Quadrant by the Caretaker and suffered heavy losses before meeting Voyager. A modified Nova-class vessel, the USS Rhode Island, appeared in an alternate future under the command of Harry Kim.
The class's limitations help explain the desperation of the Equinox crew, whose small ship lacked the defenses and resources Voyager relied on. Nova-class ships illustrate the many smaller specialized vessels that Starfleet fielded alongside its famous flagships and explorers.