NX-Alpha was one of three test vehicles used in Starfleet's NX Project, along with the NX-Beta and the NX-Delta, and the first Human vessel to travel at warp 2 under pilot A.G. Robinson.

As part of the effort to test and refine the warp five engine designed by Henry Archer, it was a predecessor of the NX-class starship.

Several commanders in Starfleet competed to be chosen as the first to fly NX-Alpha in the effort to break the warp 2 barrier. After several weeks, it became clear the competition was down to Jonathan Archer, Henry Archer's son, and A.G. Robinson. Although Archer had logged more flight hours in the simulator, Commodore Forrest selected Commander Robinson.

Cockpit of NX-Alpha

In 2143, Commander Robinson flew NX-Alpha while Commander Archer monitored from Starfleet Command. Initially, there was an imbalance in the power systems, causing them to keep NX-Alpha in orbit. When they finally gave him the okay, Robinson jumped to warp 1.

The ship successfully attained warp 2, but the power systems began rapidly overloading. Command ordered him to drop to sublight, but Robinson believed it could be pushed a little further. After attaining warp 2.2, NX-Alpha broke up just outside of orbit of Jupiter. Luckily, Robinson was able to eject in an escape pod that was retrieved and brought back to Earth.