The Tritium-class was an experimental type of Federation starship serving in the first decade of the 23rd century. (TOS reference: Spaceflight Chronology) The Tritium-class has the dubious distinction of being the worst major ship ever built by the Federation. Its tri-nacelle design in theory should have given it added power and performance, but unavoidable imperfections accentuated warp field flaws and fluctuations and actually lowered efficiency and performance. During the Tritium's shakedown (which, given its flaws, actually did involve quite a bit of shaking), chief engineer Rex Opperman called it a "real Lemarian lemon" and revived an old term for a design fiasco: an Edsel.