The Venture class was a type of light cruiser that saw service with the Federation Starfleet during the late-22nd and early 23rd centuries. The class entered service in 2186 and along with the Armstrong-class was slated to replace the aging Daedalus-class explorer. By the 2230s the Venture was starting to be replaced by the newer Kitty Hawk-class. (Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 4: Starships of the Original Series Era)