In Star Trek (2009), who commands the USS Enterprise when it is launched?

In Star Trek (2009), Christopher Pike commands the USS Enterprise when it is launched.

The film presents an alternate timeline created when the Romulan mining vessel Narada travels back from the future and attacks the USS Kelvin. Pike becomes captain of the Kelvin and later recruits James T. Kirk into Starfleet after recognizing Kirk's potential.

Years afterward, Pike commands the newly constructed Enterprise during its first major mission. Kirk is initially a young lieutenant serving as a medical officer, while Spock is the ship's science officer and first officer. Kirk later assumes command after Pike is captured by Nero, the commander of the Narada.

Christopher Pike is an important character in earlier Star Trek history as well. He was the original captain of the Enterprise in the unaired pilot 'The Cage' and later appeared in the original series two-part story 'The Menagerie.' The 2009 film uses a younger version of Pike played by Bruce Greenwood.