The USS Malinche (NCC-38997) was an Federation Excelsior Refit exploration cruiser starship in service during the 24th century. By 2363, the Malinche was under the command of Captain George Sanders. (TNG novel: The Buried Age) In 2376, the Malinche relieved the USS da Vinci from clean-up operations on the Tellarite colony of Maeglin following the Gateways Crisis. (SCE eBook: Here There Be Monsters) In early 2380, Admiral William Ross considered sending the Malinche to the Romulan border. (ST novel: Articles of the Federation)