NCA Johann Winckelmann

The NCA Johann Winckelmann was a spaceship operated by the Academy of Science and Technology and piloted by Priscilla Hutchins.

Quraqua
In 2202, the ship was dispatched to Quraqua to pick up Dr Henry Jacobi and the members of his team. Travelling along was Dr Richard Wald, who hoped to make an important step forward in solving the mystery of the monuments. The Winckelmann successfully evacuated the scientists, sans Wald, who had died onsite, and brought them back to Earth.

Beta Pacifica
In 2203, Dean of the Academy Ed Horner allowed Frank Carson to lead a mission to the Beta Pacifica system in order to find the home of the Monument-Makers and granted him the Winckelmann with Hutch as a pilot. Fearing an impending cancellation, should the controversial nature of the mission become known, Hutch fabricated a defect in the com system, leading Earth to believe the ship was unable to receive any messages.

Upon arrival at Beta Pac, the Winckelmann exited hyperspace in front of a giant radio telescope and, unable to reverse in time, collided with it, penetrating the object. The damage suffered subsequently left the ship without the ability to use its FTL engine and with gradually failing life support systems and environmental control. The crew sought refuge in the Alpha lander and remained there until rescued by Melanie Truscott. The Winckelmann was given up and left adrift around Beta Pacifica.

Specifications
The Winckelmann was built in the shape of a central, cylindrical axis, around which multiple ring-shaped modules were arranged. These modules could be swapped out to fit the mission profile and rotated around the core to provide artificial gravity. During the Quraqua mission, three modules were installed, housing life support systems, storage capacities, a hangar for the lander, and crew quarters.