r/spaceships • • 4d ago

Ship Design Breakdown šŸ”§ šŸ”§ Ship Design Breakdown | What makes a good spaceship bridge?

183 Upvotes

We see bridges on almost every sci-fi spaceship, usually somewhere high up with big windows looking out into space. It looks cool, but how much sense does it actually make, especially on a warship?

Putting the bridge on top of the hull gives the crew a good view (big quotation marks needed), but it also makes it a pretty obvious target. Wouldn't it make more sense to put the command centre somewhere deep inside the ship, where it's better protected? You could still have sensors and cameras to see what's going on outside.

Then again, maybe having a good view is more useful than I think, or perhaps the ideal layout depends on what the ship is supposed to do.

The ship's role matters too. A simple sightseeing spaceship could have big windows because the passengers want to enjoy the view. But on a battlecruiser, you probably wouldn't want windows made of glass, or windows at all. Why create another potential weak point when sensors and cameras can do the job? Would you design a warship's bridge differently from a civilian ship's?

And what about the hard sci-fi side of things? Space isn't completely empty. Even tiny micrometeoroids can hit a spaceship at very high relative speeds. How well would a large glass window actually hold up against that? Would you need several layers of transparent material, or could materials such as fused silica or transparent ceramics offer a better solution? Maybe the windows could have armoured shutters that close during combat, or perhaps the ship wouldn't need windows at all and could use external cameras protected behind armoured housings.

There are other ways to approach the problem, too. What if the bridge had a direct view only when the ship was in a safe environment, with displays and sensors doing the work during combat? Could you have small, heavily protected observation ports instead of huge windows? And if the ship relies entirely on sensors, what happens when those sensors are damaged or jammed?

There's also the question of whether a spaceship should even have one main bridge. Putting all your command staff in one room sounds like a pretty bad idea if a single hit could take them all out. Would a realistic warship have several command centres distributed throughout the hull, with the crew able to take control from different locations?

Where would you put the bridge if you were designing a spaceship? Would you keep it high up, hide it inside the hull, or go for something completely different? And should a spaceship even need windows on its bridge, or at all really, in the first place?

What's the best designed spaceship bridge you've seen in sci-fi? Why is it Battlestar Galactica's one?

Bonus points if you can explain why putting the Star Destroyer's bridge on top of a giant tower is actually a good design decision.


r/spaceships • • 16d ago

News / Meta October 2026 Spaceship Build Challenge šŸš€ | Creepy Interiors | Built in ANYTHING!

Post image
13 Upvotes

The best season of the year is officially here! And yes, it's the best season according to me, mostly! Let's all get spooked though!

Your task: Design creepy spaceship interiors using ANYTHING at your disposal

Theme: Creepy Interiors

Rules

  • Create a vessel of any kind that will have creepy interiors
  • You can use ANY medium to build the ship - No Man's Sky, Lego, Starfield, cardboard, Space Engineers, pen and paper, etc. - whatever is at your disposal
  • It can be small or large, practical or just cool looking, but it needs to fit the theme, which means you have to post pictures of the interiors
  • Use the Build Challenge Entry Post Flair to share your spaceship on r/spaceships
  • You can post a maximum of 3 entries
  • No AI slop

I understand that "creepy interiors" can be very subjective, but please don't post pictures of just any of your ships' interiors that you have at your disposal. Try to use lighting, damage, creatures or anything else that could make the interiors at least a little bit creepy.

Share screenshots from multiple angles (if possible) and, if you'd like, tell us a bit about your ship's backstory in the body of the post or in the comments - it can help in the final decision process of who will be chosen as the winner of this build challenge.

Speaking of the winner, they will get a unique User Flair that they will be able to show off on this sub. We will once again consolidate the entries and put them into a poll post where you will decide who should win.

You all have until Wednesday, October 21st, to post your creations.

In space no one can hear you scream...


r/spaceships • • 20h ago

Video / Animation Biblically accurate Halo naval battles by James Young (venture.pictures)

487 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 13h ago

Discussion / Question What is more Powerful Wave Motion Gun fleet from 2202 at its Peak including the Yamato or the ships of War Hammer 40k

Thumbnail
gallery
100 Upvotes

Who is more powerful?


r/spaceships • • 20h ago

Screenshot / Photo Love the Space Battleship Yamato's design

Thumbnail
gallery
166 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 19m ago

Video / Animation One of the most creative space ships Space Trains

• Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 20h ago

Video / Animation I Love trains in space

28 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 20h ago

Games [OC] SwiftSpearhead Lancer Destroyer

Post image
9 Upvotes

Introducing the MMW SwiftSpearhead Lancer Destroyer, a new #Human Fleet strike warship built for high-speed penetration attacks in #MowMyWorld.

Proposed specifications
Length: 660 m
Width: 170 m
Height: 120 m
Type: #LancerDestroyer
Primary role: Long-range axial attack / formation penetration
Main propulsion: Four high-thrust engines

The SwiftSpearhead features a distinctive three-directional forward hull, combining a long central point, a broad curved side section, and a backward-swept armored hook. Its aggressive silhouette is designed to concentrate structural strength and offensive firepower toward the front.

Its primary weapon is a massive Recoil-Sleeve Shock Cannon, supported by two shoulder turrets, one recessed missile battery, and six integrated point-defense nodes.

The ship's warm ivory armor, midnight-navy structural sections, burnt-orange accents, and cyan propulsion elements give it a recognizable Human Fleet appearance.

Built for rapid formation penetration and concentrated attacks against high-value targets, the SwiftSpearhead emphasizes directional firepower and a powerful forward assault profile.

Full entry and more details:
https://botdancegames.com/games/mow-my-world/archive/human/swiftspearhead-lancer-destroyer/index.html


r/spaceships • • 23h ago

Games We're working on In Control: Rocketry, a rocket builder game where you design both the ship and the electronics that fly it. Thought you might like it!

13 Upvotes

Hey! We've been working since last year on a In Control: Rocketry, a spaceflight sim where you build the rocket and wire up its control panel yourself. Sensors, inputs, outputs, the whole thing is Turing-complete, so however you want to solve a flight problem, there's a way to do it. It will be available on Steam in 2027.

Real orbital mechanics, a fictional solar system to explore, sandbox mode if you just want to mess around and blow things up!

Feel free to add the game to your wishlist if you want to support the project! See you in space.


r/spaceships • • 1d ago

Discussion / Question What methods looks the best to collect space loot

18 Upvotes

I am reworking loot in my space game and I wonder, what method should I go with to actually grab the crates?
I feel like the tractor beams look better and the visual are more clear, but the small tug ships (especially if I made them smaller) convey the idea that you have a "big" ship way better.


r/spaceships • • 18h ago

Other 🫔TIE Erebus. Last pic is the inspiration ship, by Josh Hagan on ArtStation. A TIE Interceptor concept. Modded

Thumbnail gallery
5 Upvotes

Mods: Antares Supra, Mattell’s Project Fenrir, Mattell’s Hab Cockpits and Accessories, Barrage Missile Launchers, Ol’ Big X, Matilija Aerospace, Better Connections, Avontech.


r/spaceships • • 20h ago

Custom Build Reentry Glider and Modified Eagle Transporter models from ā€œSpace 1999ā€

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

Inspired byĀ ā€œThe Immunity Syndromeā€

Helena and Maya use the ReEntry Glider on a one way trip. Mission: help the marooned landing party on an alien planet with a seemingly hostage environment. Made with a heavily modified 1/72 scale Eagle model (cages cut out and detailed, engine details added) and a ReEntry Glider model. Model work by me.


r/spaceships • • 1d ago

Games MS-05 Vy'keen Avenger - a nova corveta de combate inspirada na cultura Vy'keen

Thumbnail gallery
4 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 1d ago

Artwork Space 1999, inspired by the episode ā€œThe Black Sunā€

Post image
43 Upvotes

A Reconnaissance Eagle attempts to escape the powerful gravity of a strange black hole mass. Made with a lit Product Enterprise Eagle replica.


r/spaceships • • 2d ago

Custom Build some bad guys faction starships, heavily inspired by Homeworld and LoGH

Thumbnail gallery
64 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 1d ago

Artwork GALACTICA 1978 TOS, 36ā€ resin model

Thumbnail gallery
20 Upvotes

Finished this huge resin model for a customer, 36ā€


r/spaceships • • 2d ago

Other 🫔Captains. A shipbuild taking design cues from a couple different sci-fi verses. The Cruor Interceptor. Modded.

Thumbnail gallery
8 Upvotes

Mods:Antares Supra, Mattell’s Project Fenrir, Ol’ Big X, ACS Deimos, Barrage Missile Launchers, Matilija Aerospace, Avontech, Inquisitor glow parts, and Micro Modules.


r/spaceships • • 1d ago

Games [OC] Broodforge Crown Arsenal Ship

Post image
2 Upvotes

Introducing the MMW Broodforge Crown Arsenal Ship, a massive #Meldaen capital warship built for long-range bombardment, missile saturation, and strategic fire support in #MowMyWorld.

This vessel belongs to the HB (Human–Bugvex Hybrid) branch of the Meldaen civilization, combining Human military engineering with Bugvex living biology. Human technology provides organized weapons, armor, and logistics, while Bugvex biology adds regenerative structures, living weapon systems, and adaptive combat capabilities.

Proposed specifications
Size class: Capital
Type: #ArsenalShip
Hybrid composition: 60% Human / 40% Bugvex
Primary role: Long-range bombardment / missile saturation / strategic fire support

The Broodforge Crown is built around a massive armored strike platform with extensive protected ammunition magazines, a reinforced central combat spine, and heavy Human-style artillery batteries.

Bugvex living structures are fused directly into its weapons and hull, forming chitin-reinforced weapon roots, biological strike glands, parasite missile pods, and regenerative support systems. Layered interceptor defenses protect the vessel during sustained bombardment operations.

With its imposing command-oriented architecture, ivory biological armor, and dark gunmetal hull, the Broodforge Crown represents the heavy firepower and living adaptability of the Meldaen HB branch.

Full entry and more details:
https://botdancegames.com/games/mow-my-world/archive/meldaen/hb-broodforge-crown-arsenal-ship/index.html


r/spaceships • • 1d ago

Games Looking for a older space sim game maybe a sondbox game, not sure

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 2d ago

Games Grizzly - Cargo Corvette

Thumbnail gallery
31 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 3d ago

Artwork Giuseppe Festino

Post image
34 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 2d ago

Games [OC] Forgecontinuum Twinrail

Post image
6 Upvotes

Introducing the MMW Forgecontinuum Twinrail, a colossal #Awakynet autonomous war-foundry mothership designed to manufacture replacement combat bodies and heavy modules while supporting major space fleet operations in #MowMyWorld.

Proposed specifications
Length: 5,830 m
Width: 3,380 m
Height: 1,750 m
Type: #ForwardWarFoundryMothership
Primary role: Forward manufacturing / fleet support / combat module production / capital ship warfare

The Forgecontinuum Twinrail is essentially a mobile military manufacturing fortress, built around two enormous armored longitudinal hull sections connected by a heavily reinforced central bridge and a massive rear industrial complex.

Its primary AI cognition vault is buried beneath three overlapping armored plates within the central structure. Six subsidiary processing nodes coordinate combat systems, manufacturing operations, and engineering functions throughout the vessel.

The mothership carries two heavy forward lances, twelve medium-heavy beam batteries, four twelve-cell defensive missile cassettes, and fifty-six point-defense emitters. Its modular weapon systems allow major combat components to be serviced or replaced independently.

Six enormous enclosed assembly doors and two protected heavy manipulation arms support the construction and handling of replacement machine bodies and major fleet equipment. Eight integrated main drives, twenty-four maneuvering ports, and eight reinforced radiator assemblies support propulsion and thermal management.

Warm ceramic pearl-titanium armor, dark graphite structural sections, brushed silver mechanisms, and restrained amber network lighting give the Twinrail a distinctive industrial warship appearance.

Combining heavy combat capability with forward manufacturing, the Forgecontinuum Twinrail allows Awakynet fleets to rebuild and maintain major equipment without returning to distant industrial bases.

Full entry and more details:
https://botdancegames.com/games/mow-my-world/archive/awakynet/forgecontinuum-twinrail/index.html


r/spaceships • • 3d ago

Artwork Alfred Kelsner for Perry Rhodan #3374: The Flaw of Obedience

Post image
20 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 3d ago

Video / Animation Spaceship exterior designs from Outlaw Star (1998)

Thumbnail gallery
78 Upvotes

r/spaceships • • 3d ago

Artwork Vulcan racing ship featured in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Driveā€ by Dominic Beyeler.

Post image
7 Upvotes