The USS Orleans (NCC-966) was an Ranger-class explorer that was service with the Federation Starfleet during the 23rd century. (Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 4: Starships of the Original Series Era) In 2231, the Orleans undertook a five-year mission to explore the coreward reaches of the Federation. In 2242, the Orleans took part in the Battle of Donatu V. The Orleans later served as a testbed for phaser technology.