My starship design concept, the U.S.S. Ascendant

[calamity_si]

The USS Ascendant is my design for a Star Trek ship from the alternate 'Kelvin Timeline' universe. The brief behind the design is that Starfleet salvaged technology and parts from the wreckage of the USS Vengeance and used them to create this vessel. This ship has the size and capabilities of Vengeance (including it's advanced warp capabilities) but it outfitted for exploration rather than pure warefare, essentially making it the 'USS Excelsior' of this timeline.

 

[Wingsley]

Better looking and more logical than the "Prime" Universe's Excelsior, by far. I like the wings for the nacelles, and the interesting shapes in the secondary hull.

 

[calamity_si]

Better looking and more logical than the "Prime" Universe's Excelsior, by far. I like the wings for the nacelles, and the interesting shapes in the secondary hull.

Thanks so much Wingsley! I've always been a massive fan of the prime Excelsior, so that's huge praise for me, indeed! Yeah I was inspired by some modern sports cars when detailing the ship, so you might be able to spot some of the little rows of spotlights there and the little trims.

 

[ashleytinger]

I really like the idea of them salvaging this for a more noble purpose. Nice work!

 

[trekriffic]

I like the solid saucer much better than the slots carved out of the Vengeance's primary hull. This angle in particular reminds me of the Excelsior when we first see her in spacedock.

 

[calamity_si]

I like the solid saucer much better than the slots carved out of the Vengeance's primary hull. This angle in particular reminds me of the Excelsior when we first see her in spacedock

Thanks, that was exactly the look I was going for! Yeah, one of the my first aims on this model was to get those awful holes filled in!

 

[BorgMan]

I think adding ribbing to the neck might reinforce that Excelsior image. I like it a lot, but I think that a bit more softened, rounded edges might benefit the design.

 

[calamity_si]

I think that a bit more softened, rounded edges might benefit the design.

Thanks for the advice. I've been working on softening the lines of the warp nacelles.

 

[ashleytinger]

It really does evoke the Excelsior a bit, but is definitely it's own design. I really like the look in that last image you posted. Feels more like a Starfleet Experimental vessel now.

 

[Wingsley]

I like how it has some very vague similarities in lines with the Sovereign-class Enterprise-E, but not too much. I like the interconnecting dorsal-neck here better. Can the saucer separate? I hope it can.

What is the size of this beastie? Is it on par with the "Prime Universe" Excelsior? What size is Ascendant's crew?

If the saucer can separate, and if Ascendant is meant to be a pseudo-TMP-era "next generation" ship, then maybe she should have an extra hangar deck on the topside-aft of the saucer, just like the Galaxy-class Enterprise-D.

I also think it would be a nice nod to TOS if Ascendant's upper and lower saucer domes protruded, and maybe even glowed.

Keep up the good work!

 

[calamity_si]

With all the awesomeness released in the past week, I thought I'd share some of my latest renders of the USS Ascendant. I've made some subtle changes to the top and bottom of the saucer section, the nacelles now have an inner warp grille and I've added a glowey effect to several of the detailed areas of the hull. After seeing the ships in Star Trek Beyond and the new USS Discovery, I'm still very pleased with this design. At the moment, I'm working on the bridge which will be very similar to the USS Vengeance's bridge but in an overall white colour scheme. Until then, enjoy these new shots.

 

[ashleytinger]

With all the awesomeness released in the past week, I thought I'd share some of my latest renders of the USS Ascendant. I've made some subtle changes to the top and bottom of the saucer section, the nacelles now have an inner warp grille and I've added a glowey effect to several of the detailed areas of the hull. After seeing the ships in Star Trek Beyond and the new USS Discovery, I'm still very pleased with this design. At the moment, I'm working on the bridge which will be very similar to the USS Vengeance's bridge but in an overall white colour scheme. Until then, enjoy these new shots.

I still really like what you did with this.

 

[-SS-]

I do as well. It's an unconventionally attractive ship.

 

[Captain of the USS Averof]

I am not a fan of the Vengeance design but you've created a really beautiful ship! You deserve to be pleased with her!

 

[calamity_si]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement everyone! I'm almost finished with the bridge. I'll be able to post some renders hopefully this week. In the meantime, here's another shot of her. I wad experimenting with darker lighting and different angles.

 

[sojourner]

I know you use Sketchup. What are you rendering in?

 

[ashleytinger]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement everyone! I'm almost finished with the bridge. I'll be able to post some renders hopefully this week. In the meantime, here's another shot of her. I wad experimenting with darker lighting and different angles.

Now I'm imaging the Saints from Saints Row getting ahold of this ship. LOL It's just the purple glowing parts that do that really. Looks great!

 

[Captain of the USS Averof]

Amazing! I can definitely see her as the Kelvin Timeline's equivalent of the Excelsior, or the Enterprise-B!

 

[Bernard Guignard]

Nice work

 

[calamity_si]

I know you use Sketchup. What are you rendering in?

Kerkythea.