Career:

Launched: 2151
Commissioned: 2150
Status: Decommissioned - 2170
General Characteristics
Class: NX
Decks: 7
Propulsion and power: Warp - 2 x warp nacelles with 1 x reactor core
Impulse: 2 x main impulse units, 2 x auxiliary impulse units
Shielding: EM hull polarization system
Weapons and Ports: Phase Cannon ports: 12
Torpedo Tubes: 6
Commanding Officer: Captain Jonathan Archer

History:

Commissioned in 2151, Enterprise NX-01 was the first starship of the NX class, Starfleet's first long-range exploration vessels with a theoretical top speed of warp 5, considerably faster than any other human vessels of the era.

During the ten-year mission, Captain Archer made first contact with the Suliban, Tholians, Klingons, and Romulans, among others, although few of these encounters were peaceful. Enterprise established a human presence in previously uncharted regions of space, bringing together the Andorians and Vulcans—two species who had been on the verge of war for years.

The starship Enterprise was pivotal in defending Earth from a dangerous alien species known as the Xindi in 2153-2154. The ship suffered severe damage during the mission and the crew suffered heavy casualties, but managed to return to Earth after an unexpected detour to an alternate version of 1944 in which Nazi Germany had conquered the eastern United States; although the vessel did not land during that mission, it was brought within tens of meters from the ground in order to help restore the timeline.

Technology:

The NX-01 was originally armed with plasma cannon and torpedo launchers loaded with Triton-class high explosive rounds, and protected by polarized hull plating. Later upgrades saw the Enterprise being turned into a military vessel, with the plasma cannon being replaced by Phase Cannons and the Triton warheads with photonic torpedoes. These new weapons systems were still in the experimental stage. Unlike vessels in later eras, Enterprise was not equipped with a defensive energy shielding array (this technology was still experimental among Earth sciences). Instead, Enterprise added to the defensive power of their duranium hull through electromagnetic polarization. Shielding technology was most likely adapted to Earth vessels after the Andorians joined Earth in the United Federation of Planets in 2161.

Subsequent Developments:

Two additional NX class ships were planned as of 2151 after the NX-01. A second warp-5 starship, Columbia NX-02, was launched in November of 2154, commanded by Captain Erika Hernandez. After the founding of the United Federation of Planets, development of Warp 7-capable ships rendered the NX-class obsolete and, in 2161, Enterprise was decommissioned soon after the signing of the Federation charter.

Trivia:

The NX-01 is unique among lead Star Trek vessels in that during the vessel's 10-year service history it retained its original command crew and captain at the end of its voyage (save for its chief engineer, who died shortly before the decommissioning).
Enterprise is unable to maintain its top speed of Warp 5 for a continued period of time and normally travels at Warp 4.5.