The SS Botany Bay was a DY-100-class sleeper ship built on Earth in the late 20th century. The Botany Bay was launched from Earth in 1996 under the command of Khan Noonien Singh. The Botany Bay was used by a group of genetically-enhanced Humans known as Augments, led by Khan Noonien Singh, in an attempt to escape from Earth after being defeated by non-Augments. Khan intended to find a world for himself and his people that they could colonize. Initially, Khan and 84 of his followers were placed in cryogenic freeze. Twelve of the suspended animation life support canisters failed while in deep space. This left Khan and 72 Augments to survive. As seen in the Star Trek the original series episode "Space Seed" and the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.