Phase 2 of the Odyssey Project undertook to develop a smaller, less resource-intensive ship that could sustain a larger fleet, and would be tasked primarily to exploration within the Perseus Arm. By reducing the ship's self-sufficiency capabilities, limiting the ship to a single squadron of Aves, and reducing the size of the crew to 1,000, it was possible to create a ship designed for ten years of continuous exploration. After which, the ship must return to a space station for re-supply.
The design was also simplified to allow its licensing to newly discovered colonies with spacefaring levels of technology. The design was quickly adopted by colonies such as Independence, Bountiful, Denali, Rainier III, Strata, Talal,Den Beste Tau Matawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, New Kralendijk, Sestina, Quatermaine and other worlds, and permitted a relatively rapid expansion of the New Commonwealth Fleet and Influence.
The resulting design was 2,200 meters long, with a maximum of 76 total decks. Weapons are relatively limited, compared to a Pathfinder Ship. And in view of developing hostilities with Aurelia, the Explorer Series came to be operated in Explorer Groups of two or three ships, one of which would have upgraded weapons and tactical systems. These were labeled the Defender Series.
