The USS Thagard is a Gagarin-Class research vessel. It is about 120 meters long with eleven full decks, plus a twelfth partial one. It carries a complement of 30 officers and crew, plus space for up to five visiting researchers. The ship's hangers can hold up to four standard shuttlecraft and seven "killer-bee" attack craft.

The Thagard's primary mission is in-depth follow-up research on discoveries made by the larger, more heavily armed exploratory cruisers. The ship has a long, proud history and continues to serve the fleet in this vital role.