Bridge

The Bridge of the Starship Saratoga allows for the supervision of all shipboard operations. The nerve center of the starship, the Bridge is constantly manned by the leadership of the vessel and has workstations dedicated to each shipboard function. While the Sagan Class Saratoga is overall smaller than its Galaxy Class ancestor, the Bridge of the Saratoga was nearly double the size of its immediate predecessor.

The Bridge of the Saratoga maintains the traditional layout of workstations established in the earliest of Starfleet vessels, but has done away with the warmer, carpeted interiors common with the previous generation of Federation starships. Like the rest of the ship, the interior of the bridge was dark and primarily furnished with reflective flooring and walls giving the ship a clean, albeit militaristic look. Various stations were placed on the perimeter of the bridge, while the helm and science stations were at the front of the Bridge. In the center of the command center seating was provided for the command crew of the Saratoga, with the Captain located in the middle of the room.

Entry to the Bridge was provided by twin turbolift shafts located on the port and starboard sides of the Bridge. Behind the Command Area a large door leads to the Saratoga's Briefing Room and the Captain's Ready Room. Unlike previous generation of starship, access to the Ready Room requires traversing the Briefing Room.

Layout

Command Section

Located at the center of the Bridge on a raised platform to maximize interaction with bridge personnel, the command stations provide seating and information displays for the senior leadership of the Saratoga.

Captain's Chair

Located centrally, the Captain's Chair is the workstation of the Saratoga's Captain and allows for the supervision of all the ship's operations. The armrests of the Captain's Chair incorporate miniaturized status displays, allowing the Captain to use keyboard or vocal commands to direct shipboard operations.

Executive Officer

To the Captain's right is a workstation for the vessel's First Officer. Located slightly ahead of the Captain's Chair, this standing workstation is built into the surrounding superstructure and gives the First Officer priority access to any shipboard system and sensor array.

Guest

Located opposite the Executive Officer's console, a second, identical workstation is located to the Captain's left that is used by guests to the Bridge or the on duty officer when the Captain or First Officer are unavailable.

External Operations Section

Communications

The Communications console was a standing workstation on the Bridge of the Saratoga and was dedicated to managing all transmissions aboard the starship. This station was also responsible for monitoring away team objectives and status.

Security/Tactical

Dedicated to defensive systems control and internal security, Security/Tactical was one of the only seated positions on the Bridge of the Saratoga. The default layout of the workstation presented the user with information readouts dealing with the internal protection of the starship and its crew. In addition, access to the Saratoga's defensive systems were available from this console, ranging from the defensive shields to phaser and torpedo systems.

Science II

A supplement to the primary Science Station, Science II is a standing workstation adjacent to the Security/Tactical console on the Saratoga Bridge. By default Science II is assigned to Astrometrics functions, charting stars, planets, nebulae, and other stellar bodies and determine the ship's position relative to the galactic core.

Forward Section

Flight Control/Operations

The Flight Control/Operations Station was responsible for the actual piloting and navigation of the starship while the Operations functions presented the user with a continually updated list of current major shipboard activities and allowed the officer to set priorities and allocate resources. Despite many of these functions being heavily automated, their critical nature demanded a humanoid officer to oversee these operations at all times.

Science

The Science Station was a console located on the Bridge of the Saratoga and was designed to monitor scientific activity aboard the ship. Manned by a Science Officer, the workstation offered priority linkages to the Saratoga's powerful sensor telescopes for the analysis and interpretation of phenomenon encountered as well as direct connection to the Saratoga's library computer databases.

Viewscreen

Located at the front of the Bridge, the Viewscreen of the Saratoga takes its inspiration from 23rd Century designs and features a large transparisteel window with a computerized heads-up display overlay. This advanced display allows the Bridge crew to analyze data from the ship's sensor arrays, communicate with others, or view library records. Using the ship's computers, the viewer can be polarized to negate any glaring light and a large evacuation hatch has been built into the window that can be jettisoned in an emergency.

Internal Operations Section

Environment

The Environment station was a console that allowed users to control environmental operations aboard the Saratoga. Due to the highly automated nature of these systems, this console was unattended under normal circumstances but became of crucial importance during alert situations to maximize crew survivability.

Engineering

One of the largest workstations on the Bridge of the Saratoga, the Engineering Console enables the monitoring and control of engineering functions from the Bridge. Duplicating the displays from the Engine Room related to the Saratoga's engines, systems, and allows control over energy distribution, Engineering is one of the few workstations with seating for the user.

Mission Operations

Mission Ops supports the Operations Officer and was responsible for monitoring activity relating to secondary missions. Mission Ops was responsible for assignment of resources and priorities according to guidelines specified and by operating protocols.

Executive Conference Room

Located on the aft starboard side of Deck One, the Executive Conference Room was located directly behind the Saratoga's Bridge.

The Executive Conference Room of the Saratoga featured several large windows that faced the rear of the ship, providing occupants an unobstructed view of the ship's top two Warp Nacelles and support structure. The opposite wall incorporated the door to the Saratoga's Bridge and a series of display cases that surrounded the entrance. Featuring memorabilia and artifacts custom to the history of the Saratoga, among the most popular items are models of the Miranda Class U.S.S. Saratoga - lost in the Battle of Wolf 359, the Galaxy Class U.S.S. Saratoga-A - lost during the Second Battle of Chin'toka, and the Saratoga-B herself. Various photos and other objects related to Saratoga's history are also on display here.

Designed for the comfort of its users, the Executive Conference Room incorporates a large, ovoid table with seating for up to eight people. A large display monitor fitted along the starboard bulkhead provides staff with critical updates related to the Saratoga and its mission. A small door on the opposite wall allows for access to the Captain's Ready Room.

Ready Room

Connected to the Deck 1 Briefing Room, the Captain's Ready Room aboard the Saratoga is a comfortable office for use by the captain while on duty. The Saratoga's Ready Room is standard for vessels of the early 25th Century and is smaller than its predecessors, but includes many advancements over its forebearers. Featuring enhanced computer technology, the computer interface of the room can accept both keypad or verbal commands. Holographic projectors built into the room allow for data to be presented both in a two dimensional as well as three-dimensional form as needed.

The cozy room features a small, wall-mounted desk that is located in front of a pair of windows that provide an overview of the ship's upper Warp Nacelles. Directly below the windows was a large shelving unit that was decorated with some of the captain's personal belongings and other mementos from the captain's career. A large painting of the Saratoga is located above the captain's desk, while two chairs were available for guests to use when meeting with the captain in the privacy of the Ready Room.

U.S.S. Saratoga Deck One