Federation Ship Design (Shape)

[CuriousGeorge]

I've been puzzling over why so many of the Federation ships have the big round disc up-top, and then it's a good ways away from the protrusions which are ofcourse (unless I'm horribly off-base) the engines.

I assume the engines are almost free-floating for safety or engineering reasons (i.e.: ship might need extra shielding or power to go undamaged by the particles the engine throws if engines were located elsewhere / it's better to have most of the crew-decks separate incase of meltdown/overload) but why always with the disc-shape?

[JanewaysTwin]

The saucer section? Ask Gene Roddenberry idk!

[Manitou]

Good Question. I think the design assisted the engines, anti-gravity, and '0'-centrifics. Their's the alternatives - their probably not that smart yet.

[MoonStarRaven]

Maybe they just liked that design? Its semi aerodynamic and creates a large interior for living and work space?

[Captain Digness]

who cares its not real life any way

[Susanne Aldaniel]

[Hockey]

Most vessels of other races (except the Borg) have some kind of wings which create the warp field. The big disc (saucer) is probably to give the crew comfortable living space.