HISTORICAL NOTES Interstellar Exploration Corps Deep Space Explorer "Leviathan" was the first major large Human exploration vessel of the 2nd Era (906 FCE-1222 FCE). It was built in Earth orbit and entered service in 929 FCE. "Leviathan" was the first Human starship to make contact with the T'lar, a gregarious and star-faring sentient race with faster-than-light technology roughly equal to that of Humans. It carried four small support starships to enhance its capabilities, usually two Deep Space Scouts and two Deep Space Guardians. As with other sizeable Human exploration vessels before it, "Leviathan" could eject its aft engineering hull in an emergency with the rest of the ship serving as a titanic sublight lifeboat. A total of 8 "Leviathan" Class Deep Space Explorers were built and all had illustrious careers. The last "Leviathan" Class vessel was retired in 1021 FCE. RENDERING NOTES Deep Space Explorer "Leviathan" was modeled in 3D CGI using TrueSpace 6.6. Universe Image Creator was employed for the running lights. The background came from a Hubble Space Telescope website. PRIMARY DESIGN INFLUENCES 1. Modern military submarines 2. "Mon Calarmari" Rebel Cruisers from the science fantasy film "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi"