The USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) was a Galaxy-class starship commissioned in 2363, (TNG: "Lonely Among Us", "Booby Trap", "Eye of the Beholder") the fifth Federation Starfleet ship to bear the name Enterprise. She was called the Flagship of the Federation. The Enterprise-D was destroyed in 2371. (Star Trek Generations) Under the command of Jean-Luc Picard, the ship represented the Federation on first contact with 27 alien species.

The Enterprise was built at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards orbiting Mars in the Sol system. (TNG: "Booby Trap", "Eye of the Beholder") Construction was supervised by Commander Orfil Quinteros. (TNG: "11001001") Dr. Leah Brahms was responsible for much of the Enterprise's warp propulsion system design. (TNG: "Booby Trap", "Galaxy's Child") In an alternate timeline, the Enterprise was the first Galaxy-class war ship constructed. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")

The ship's nacelle tube was the site of a multiple murder-suicide while she was still under construction at Utopia Planitia. A member of the construction team, Walter Pierce, became jealous of a former lover's new relationship. He killed the two officers, Marla Finn and William Hodges, then disposed of their bodies in the plasma stream. Pierce committed suicide in the same manner, leaving a telepathic imprint in a bulkhead that was not discovered until 2370. (TNG: "Eye of the Beholder")

Final systems completion and shakedown was conducted at Earth Station McKinley. Captain Jean-Luc Picard took command of the ship on stardate 41153.7 at the order of Rear Admiral Norah Satie. (TNG: "All Good Things...")