A Miranda Class starship, registry NCC-1864, assigned to
predominantly scientific and exploration missions. As with all Miranda
Class starships, it is very well armed and reasonably maneuverable, but is
very weak in three-dimentional combat due to its lack of weapon mounts on
its underside.
The Reliant was hijaacked by Khan Noonian
Singh when its crew mistook Ceti Alpha 5 for Ceti Alpha 6 because of a
change in the planet's orbit, and landed on the same planet Khan was sent into
exile on as punishment for his attempt to hijaack the USS
Enterprise.
The ship was then used to steal a top-secret experimental
probe, and to launch a surprise attack on the recently refitted
Enterprise, nearly destroying it. In the ensuing battle, the
Reliant was damaged beyond repair, and was ultimately destroyed when
Khan chose to detonate the probe rather than surrender.