Spoilers Discoprise Engine Room Pictures...

[eschaton]

Open space in a spacecraft needs to be filled with air and climate controlled, so it's not like it's totally free to operate. On the other hand, it's a hell of a lot lighter than having the same volume full of stuff.

Thus, the real question is why bother making a ship bigger than it needs to be - and full of empty space - rather than smaller and packed in tight? There's all kinds of headcanon we can use here, such as the warp field working better with different topologies, or just providing plenty of space within the hull for upgrades if they are needed.

 

[fireproof78]

Thus, the real question is why bother making a ship bigger than it needs to be - and full of empty space - rather than smaller and packed in tight? There's all kinds of headcanon we can use here, such as the warp field working better with different topologies, or just providing plenty of space within the hull for upgrades if they are needed.

My headcanon is thus-it provides comfort for the crew to not be in a small confined space all the time went out on long missions.

 

[DaveyNY]

... or maybe the separate parts are built in big sections elsewhere before being installed and the large spaces are needed to be able to maneuver and fit them in.
It could also be that the large spaces are needed for when ever it's time to change worn out sections or add improvements.

I'm really not fond of the design, but even I can figure out ways to make it more tolerable rather then rejecting it outright.

 

[eschaton]

My headcanon is thus-it provides comfort for the crew to not be in a small confined space all the time went out on long missions.

But as was said upthread, that works better some places than others. You'd want big empty space like that to be easily accessible right? Not in the turbolift funhouse-shafts.

 

[fireproof78]

I'm really not fond of the design, but even I can figure out ways to make it more tolerable rather then rejecting it outright.

Same here.

But as was said upthread, that works better some places than others. You'd want big empty space like that to be easily accessible right? Not in the turbolift funhouse-shafts.

Yes and no. One thing that is helpful for me is being able to see out, so seeing a big space outside might be more helpful than it appears at first blush.

Not, bear in mind that this is a total Watsonian explanation, and I think the turbolift is one of the stranger design decisions. That said, I am not going to reject bigger use of space as being a waste, when we are discussing a ship that 400+ people have to be on for years at a time.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Open spaces make sense to me. It's a part of human wellness.

Sure, like I said, usable areas, completely agreed. And some large, inaccessible areas just aren't feasible for turning into anything.

 

[fireproof78]

Sure, like I said, usable areas, completely agreed. And some large, inaccessible areas just aren't feasible for turning into anything.

I disagree. That's ok.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I disagree. That's ok.

What would you turn odd shaped or sized spaces into? I mean, they could put a raquetball court or a gym into some strange areas.

 

[fireproof78]

What would you turn odd shaped or sized spaces into? I mean, they could put a raquetball court or a gym into some strange areas.

Oxygen plants, quarters for non humanoid crew, maybe a water feature. I think it would be a opportunity for creativity.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Oxygen plants, quarters for non humanoid crew, maybe a water feature. I think it would be a opportunity for creativity.

How big of an area do you think the cetacean ops members would need. both for work and living?

 

[C.E. Evans]

Open space in a spacecraft needs to be filled with air and climate controlled, so it's not like it's totally free to operate. On the other hand, it's a hell of a lot lighter than having the same volume full of stuff.

Thus, the real question is why bother making a ship bigger than it needs to be - and full of empty space - rather than smaller and packed in tight? There's all kinds of headcanon we can use here, such as the warp field working better with different topologies, or just providing plenty of space within the hull for upgrades if they are needed.

I like to think that Starfleet builds its ships around the philosophy that it's better to have the extra space and not always need it than to desperately need the space just once--like during an emergency evacuation mission of another ship or a small colony--and not have it. I also think there are times when a single ship may be the only Federation vessel "in the quadrant" and may have to serve as just a space ferry or space truck sometimes regardless of what her original mission was.

 

[fireproof78]

How big of an area do you think the cetacean ops members would need. both for work and living?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I mean, the average wild dolphin can swim up to 40 miles in a day, so presumably there would be a need for a longer tank or tube to provide for the exercise space.

Not sure why that's relevant but I did my best with the question asked.

 

[drt]

Enterprise has all kinds of giant open spaces in TMP, not sure why it’s an issue now.

 

[Mytran]

Enterprise has all kinds of giant open spaces in TMP, not sure why it’s an issue now.

They didn't really make huge amounts of sense in TMP either

 

[bryce]

I just wonder if a room that big could fit in the version of the Enterprise that is seen in Discovery...?

 

[Henoch]

Well since the Enterprise was upscaled to conform to someones size issues.. you have a bit more room.

When does a Starship become so big that you fill the voids with...voids?

 

[bryce]

I am just watching the Short Trek "Q & A" right now, and I am just wondering where in the hell that huge turbolift cavern area fits inside the Enterprise!? (And why all the wasted space!?)

Is the Discovery Enterprise a TARDIS now!?

 

[DaveyNY]

When does a Starship become so big that you fill the voids with...voids?

You'll have to go back to 1979 and ask the folks who designed the Enterprise for The Motion Picture that question.
As they had no problem including a rather large Recreation Area in the Primary Hull as well as the enormous area that stretches forward from the Hanger Bay doors to beyond the middle of the Secondary Hull .

 

[valkyrie013]

Well, the big spaces were being utilized. Rec deck that was only 2 decks high. And the cargo area had a elevator tube going through, not the wonka-vator rail system going weird directions.
That's it! Turboshafts are now Wonka-vators!!

And all star trek ships are tardises.. They fit what is needed in the script. Only ship that was thoroughly planned out was the Nx-01..

 

[Ronald Held]

Turbolift funhouse cannot be taken seriously,IMO.