Star Trek: Challenger is a spin-off series of Star Trek novels published by Pocket Books in the United States as part of Pocket's line. Based on the titular TV series created by Gene Roddenberry, the series was created by Pocket editor John J. Ordover and writer Diane Carey, and was a continuation of the six-book storyline, Star Trek: New Earth. The sixth and final New Earth book was subtitled Challenger, and served as a springboard for Star Trek: Challenger. It was published on August 1, 2000. Premise The New Earth novel Challenger features the survivors of a destroyed starship's crew constructing and launching a new starship in a far-off colony area that is vital for the continuance of the Federation. Books New Earth Star Trek: New Earth: Wagon Train to the Stars by Diane Carey Star Trek: New Earth: Belle Terre by Dean Wesley Smith with Diane Carey Star Trek: New Earth: Rough Trails by L.A. Graf Star Trek: New Earth: The Flaming Arrow by Kathy Oltion and Jerry Oltion Star Trek: New Earth: Thin Air by Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith Star Trek: New Earth: Challenger by Diane Carey Challenger Gateways #2: Chainmail by Diane Carey Gateways #7: What Lay Beyond (anthology) by Diane Carey, Peter David, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Christie Golden, Robert Greenberger, and Susan Wright Main characters New Earth Rear Admiral James T. Kirk Commander Spock Doctor Leonard McCoy Commander Montgomery Scott Lieutenant Commander Hikaru Sulu Lieutenant Pavel Chekov Lieutenant Commander Uhura Challenger Commander Nick Keller Authors Diane Carey L.A. Graf Dean Wesley Smith Kathy Oltion Jerry Oltion Kristine Kathryn Rusch Challenger original series Star Trek