The model ship captures the vast orbital platform visible from the planet below; Space Dock is the most impressive of the various Starfleet facilities circling Earth. Its mushroom-shaped upper section is an enormous sheltered dock for starships up to Excelsior-class size. At the center of this giant space, and extending far below it are hundreds of decks comprising a whole vertical city.
The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 made its final journey from Space Dock during 2285, while its successorship, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A, launched from the station the following year.