Science vessel
In starship classification, a science vessel (aka science ship or research vessel) was a limited-role starship. 

It was not well armed, but instead carried several laboratories, advanced sensors, and in some cases, advanced deflector shields. (; ) Ships of this class were used for scientific research missions, such as observing the collapse of a star, mapping newly discovered planets and nebulae, or simply being an isolated location for hazardous experiments. (; ) Most science vessels were not designed for long term missions, and were often dispatched following discoveries made by non-science vessels. ()

In the 2260s of the alternate reality, information on Starfleet and non-Starfleet science vessels was located in the Federation database. ()

In early-2350, the Romulan science vessel Talvath, operating under the direction of the Dr. Telek R'Mor began an extended three-year scientific mission under the direction of the Romulan Astrophysical Academy. The following year, the Talvath encountered a micro-wormhole in Sector 1385 of the Alpha Quadrant. It was here that its crew discovered the , which was located in the Delta Quadrant, however, twenty-years in the future. ()

In 2364, after the  had traveled over 2,700,000 light years from Federation space with the help of Kosinski and the Traveler, Captain Jean-Luc Picard suggested that they should return and that "Starfleet can use [Kosinski's] technique to bring back a pure science vessel to do even more." ()

In 2365, Captain Picard proposed requesting a Federation science vessel to their location in the Morgana Quadrant, to better study an unknown void discovered there by the , prior to its entrapment in the phenomenon. ()

When Rabal and Serova wished to draw the attention of Starfleet and the Federation of the plight warp drive was causing their homeworld in 2370, Jean-Luc Picard suggested that, rather than their seemingly unorthodox means of getting attention, they should have made a request through the Federation Science Council. Rabal argued that the Council's resources wre limited, and that "It would have taken over a year before they dispatched a science ship to come and evaluate our work." Data later suggested that they "ask the Federation Science Council to send a research vessel to this area. A more detailed investigation would resolve many of our questions." ()

Later that year, the  picked up a request for emergency assistance from a Federation science ship in the Topin system. This was a ploy devised by Ro Laren aboard a Maquis raider, to lure the Enterprise in so that she could steal a supply of medkits. ()

Science vessels by race
 Federation science vessel
 
 
 
 
 Frunalian science vessel
 Monean research vessel
 Romulan science ship
 Voth research vessel

Science vessels by designation 
Named
 
  ()
  ()
  () (originally)
  ()
  ()
 
  ()
 
 T'Vran
 Talvath
  ()
  ()
  ()

Unnamed
 Alien science vessel (22nd century)
 Emory's research ship
 Federation science vessels (24th century)
 Taylor's science vessel
 Vulcan science vessel (22nd century)
 Vulcan science vessel (24th century)

Appendices

Background information 
A line cut from an early draft of  referred to a Vulcan science vessel, named the , which had requested permission to dock at Deep Space 9, and was granted to put in at Docking Bay Three.

External link 
 

de:Wissenschaftsschiff
ja:科学調査艦
nl:Wetenschappelijk schip
Spacecraft classifications
Spacecraft classifications (alternate reality)