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Description
Blender concept design for an interplanetary exploration vessel.

An Explanation:

At the front are two large centrifuges with radii of 100m and 90m respectively, contained within a shielded housing. These rotate at 3rpm to generate approximately 1G. The crew spends most of their time on board these centrifuges. The outer centrifuge contains all command units and living spaces, with the central one containing laboratories, bio-pods (for growing plants and foodstuff) and additional, non-essential living spaces.

Access to & from the centrifuges is conducted using a special 'elevator' that catches up with the docking modules of the centrifuges and docks with them. It then detaches and decelerates, returning to the access corridor leading to the main body of the ship.

Suspended in the centre of the centrifuges are six life-support and resource spheres. These contain air filters, power generators, and fuel resources.

Behind the rings are four particle accelerators that generate the ship's antimatter fuel. This is used to create electricity to power the vessel's powerful ion engines at the back of the craft.

Extending back from the particle accelerators is the main hull. This contains more fuel reserves, microgravity labs and a hangar that contains shuttles, rovers, probes and other exploration craft. Radiating out from these are transmitters and antenna, vital for maintaining contact with the Earth on long-distance flights.

Behind these are the vast rotating solar panels which provide additional power. Behind them are metal radiator fins that absorb and reflect heat from the thrusters to increase their efficiency. The thrusters can switch from ion to conventional modes to allow for both great efficiency and great speed.

The total length of the craft is about 650m. It would be constructed entirely in orbit (it is not capable of atmospheric flight).

Description
Blender concept design for an interplanetary exploration vessel.

An Explanation:

At the front are two large centrifuges with radii of 100m and 90m respectively, contained within a shielded housing. These rotate at 3rpm to generate approximately 1G. The crew spends most of their time on board these centrifuges. The outer centrifuge contains all command units and living spaces, with the central one containing laboratories, bio-pods (for growing plants and foodstuff) and additional, non-essential living spaces.

Access to & from the centrifuges is conducted using a special 'elevator' that catches up with the docking modules of the centrifuges and docks with them. It then detaches and decelerates, returning to the access corridor leading to the main body of the ship.

Suspended in the centre of the centrifuges are six life-support and resource spheres. These contain air filters, power generators, and fuel resources.

Behind the rings are four particle accelerators that generate the ship's antimatter fuel. This is used to create electricity to power the vessel's powerful ion engines at the back of the craft.

Extending back from the particle accelerators is the main hull. This contains more fuel reserves, microgravity labs and a hangar that contains shuttles, rovers, probes and other exploration craft. Radiating out from these are transmitters and antenna, vital for maintaining contact with the Earth on long-distance flights.

Behind these are the vast rotating solar panels which provide additional power. Behind them are metal radiator fins that absorb and reflect heat from the thrusters to increase their efficiency. The thrusters can switch from ion to conventional modes to allow for both great efficiency and great speed.

The total length of the craft is about 650m. It would be constructed entirely in orbit (it is not capable of atmospheric flight).